Laser Level
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 GPL2 2 Point Self Leveling Laser $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 49m |
 Bosch Quigo Self Levelling Cross Line Laser Level $83.29 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 18m Buy It Now for only: $83.29 |
 Black Decker BDL120 Manual Laser Level $58.31 Time Remaining: 26d 17h 31m Buy It Now for only: $58.31 |
 Bosch GPLL5 Pen Line Laser Level $79.34 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 27m Buy It Now for only: $79.34 |
 Draper 65644 Safety Goggles for Laser Level $10.60 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $10.60 |
 Bosch 2607017147 X Line Set including Laser Spirit Level PLL 5 $134.57 Time Remaining: 10d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $134.57 |
 Bosch 2607017148 X line Set with Laser Spirit Level PLL 5 60 Pieces $95.51 Time Remaining: 26d 18h 31m Buy It Now for only: $95.51 |
 Bosch PCL 20 Cross Line Laser Level $230.97 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $230.97 |
 Stanley 77 190 SP1X Laser Topedo Level Kit OEM $29.99 Time Remaining: 8d 9h 9m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 PLS Laser PLS 60523 PLS3 Laser Level Tool Yellow $426.57 Time Remaining: 26d 20h 47m Buy It Now for only: $426.57 |
 Johnson Level and Tool 40 0921 Self Leveling Cross Line Laser Level Kit $216.97 Time Remaining: 12d 13h 8m Buy It Now for only: $216.97 |
 Black And Decker Bullseye Auto Leveling Laser $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 8m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 Bosch PCL 10 Cross Line Laser Level with Tripod Set $166.63 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $166.63 |
 STANLEY 77 500 IntelliLaser Pro Stud Sensor Laser Level $108.51 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 29m Buy It Now for only: $108.51 |
 Johnson Level Hot Shot Laser Mouse 9250 $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 31m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Johnson Level and Tool 40 0912 Self Leveling Cross Line Laser Level $196.29 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 15m Buy It Now for only: $196.29 |
 NEW CST BERGER ELECTRONIC ROTARY LASER PACKAGE 2000 LEVEL 57 LMHCUPK $729.99 Time Remaining: 20d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $729.99 |
 Stanley 77 500 STUD SENSOR LASER LEVEL Kit $100.78 Time Remaining: 27d 5h 51m Buy It Now for only: $100.78 |
 Bosch PCL 10 Cross Line Laser Level $166.43 Time Remaining: 7d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $166.43 |
 Bosch GPL3 3 Point Laser Alignment with Self Leveling $322.60 Time Remaining: 27d 7m Buy It Now for only: $322.60 |
 Stanley 77 500 STUD SENSOR LASER LEVEL $91.62 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 17m Buy It Now for only: $91.62 |
 Pacific Laser Systems PLS5 System NEW 5 Beam Point to Point Self Leveling Layout $834.11 Time Remaining: 4d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $834.11 |
 Brand New Companion Laser Level Glasses Set $8.99 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 50m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Johnson Level and Tool 40 6675 Self Leveling 3 Beam Laser Dot Level $277.97 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 15m Buy It Now for only: $277.97 |
 CST BERGER LASERMARK 58 ILM XT indoor outdoor laser cross level $408.48 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 5m Buy It Now for only: $408.48 |
 Draper 65642 Rotary Base For Laser Level $82.54 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 53m Buy It Now for only: $82.54 |
 Leica L2+ Cross Line Laser Self Leveling Horizontal Vertical 180 Degree Red $723.59 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $723.59 |
 Leica Lino P3 3 Beam Point Red Dot Laser Self Leveling $494.34 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $494.34 |
 Leica Lino P5 5 Beam Point Red Dot Laser Self Leveling $622.84 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $622.84 |
 PLS Laser PLS 60512 PLS 90 Laser Level Tool Yellow $788.91 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 41m Buy It Now for only: $788.91 |
 PLS Laser PLS 60522 PLS180 Laser Level System Yellow $732.51 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 41m Buy It Now for only: $732.51 |
 Draper Expert 69588 Self Levelling Laser Level Kit $570.06 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 52m Buy It Now for only: $570.06 |
Laser Level
Using Technology To Expand A Level's Accuracy Beyond Perception
Over 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptian version of a level was a string and weight hanging plumb from the center of a frame. And while the modern contractor evolved into using more accurate spirit levels, many are upgrading to higher-tech electronic measuring tools which find "level" with lasers, inclinometers and accelerometers. Although the accuracy differences between traditional levels and laser levels, digital levels or the popular bubble level application on your Droid or I-Phone, are now imperceptible to humans, it's not going to stop the convergence of new technologies into our traditional tools.
Simple as it was, Bronze Age Egyptian level technology worked, but the Industrial Age gave man the ability to use machines to make metal and plastic leveling tools to more exacting standards. In the twentieth century, the level was perfected with the spirit vial or bubble vial, with a glass body (now acrylic) and mineral spirit contents. This miniature level, when placed into a wood or metal frame from 9" to 96" creates a tool for the job site. The accuracy of spirit levels are typically less than or equal to the width of a human hair; an accuracy barely perceptible to humans. On many spirit levels found in stores today, level accuracy is stated as plus or minus 0.0005 inches per inch or 0.5 millimeters per meter. However, level accuracy on the job has always been limited by the ability of the human eye to see when the bubble is in the center of the vial.
Accurate as the Industrial Age spirit level is, the problem of a human's perception of "level" was solved by the Digital Age introduction of the laser level and the digital level.
Laser Level Technology
A quality laser level accuracy is plus or minus 1/16th of an inch (0.0625 inches) per 100 feet; 10 times greater than spirit level accuracy of over 1/2 of an inch (0.6 inches) per 100 feet. This level of accuracy, which cannot be perceived by the human eye, is achieved through a laser diode, which concentrates the energy created by charged particles into a single beam of light. Enhancing the accuracy further are self-leveling motors located inside the laser that continuously keep the laser beacon on "level". The benefits of using a laser level extend beyond just accuracy; laser levels allow for measuring level across much longer distances and can turn a two-person measuring job into one that can be done alone. Contractors' understanding of laser levels is growing and more and more are using them indoors and outdoors.
Over the last decade, technological improvements have already brought laser level costs down and expanded available features. For the professional user, ten years ago, the super-bright and highly visible green-beam laser levels were only found on high-end lasers which cost several thousand dollars, while today, you can find green lasers for under $1,000. On the high-end today, product features include GPS to determine exact positions for surveying and other construction. For the do-it-yourselfer, five years ago a manual leveling rotary laser cost under $100, while last year, a more accurate self-leveling cross-line laser was introduced to the market at sub-$100 pricing.
As Moore's law dictates in microchip technology that capacity will double every 18-24 months, so too will we continue to see technological advancements which will lower prices and add features to lasers levels. Looking ahead ten years, more laser levels will be automatic and electronic self-leveling which means greater accuracy for the average homeowner at an affordable price. For the professional, we will see more combination rotary, line and dot laser levels and they will continue to be more accurate and have more functionality without the added cost. Features like green beams, dual slope operation, electronic beam shields, adjustable laser modes and variable rotation speeds will move to lower priced products.
Digital Level Technology
Although less accurate than a quality laser level, a quality digital level, which measures slope, has an accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 degrees when measuring horizontal and when a laser beam is attached, the accuracy can be plus or minus 1/4 inch (0.25 inches) per 100 feet; over 4 times more accurate than a spirit level. This level of accuracy, again imperceptible to humans, is achieved through either inclinometer or accelerometer technology to display "level" on an LCD screen within hundredths of a degree. Some digital levels, however, still retain the spirit level vial for those users who want the traditional approach to double-check their work. The cost of a quality digital level ranges between $150 and $250, with other versions under $100.
Because the cost of digital levels provide multiple increases in accuracy over a spirit level, albeit at multiple increases in price, many non-professionals are opting to download a digital level onto their smart phone/ cell phone for free. The Apple I-Phone and Motorola Droid both utilize accelerometer technology to react to changes in pitch, for horizontal, vertical and surface (flat) measurements. For each smart phone, a handful of free bubble level application programs are available. While the actual accuracy of this kind of digital level will depend on the accuracy of the placement of the accelerometer chip into the phone relative to the phone's frame, it's a fun tool and can come in handy for a quick reference.
In the future, there will be a continued convergence of digital technology into the spirit level, particularly as prices for digital technology come down. There will be more and more spirit level/digital level hybrids and $20 digital level expansion kits will be in every hardware store. Through Bluetooth (or next generation communication), digital levels will be interactive with other devices to store and calculate measurements. Even the way "level" is viewed could be impacted by wafer thin, bendable, digital displays which could wrap around a level vial, provide a digital readout and have a back-lit display to see "level" in the dark – a next generation of the patented glow-in-the-dark level vial.
As we move further into the Communication Age, where connectivity is everything, all cell phones will become smart phones, meaning miniature computing and communication devices on every job site and in every home. For the contractor, smart phones will be used not only for the quick reference of "level" through the free bubble level application or the augmented reality version of digitally seeing "level" through the phone's camera, both available today, they will be used as an integrated communication, calculation and purchasing tool to save the contractor time and money.
Since the dawn of man, we have been on a continual quest to improve our lives. Naturally, as we evolve, so do the tools we use and the way we use them. The convergence of technology and communication into traditional levels to provide quality and accuracy beyond perception has only begun. The ancient Egyptians would be jealous.
About the Author
Paul Buzzell is CFO of Johnson Level & Tool, a leading manufacturer and marketer of "job site tough" professional quality spirit levels, laser levels and other construction measuring tools. Mr. Buzzell's background is M&A and business valuation. He holds an MBA from DePaul University.
Has anyone ever used Low Level Laser therapy for hair loss?
I am suffering from hair loss, mainly in the temples, hairline, and crown. I stopped at a salon near my job that offers LLLT and hair transplants. I spoke with a rep and they recommended that I do the LLLT since I have a lot of hair still. I have fine, limp hair and want to have fuller hair and spike it or something like that. Does LLLT yield results? IT is VERY expensive, but thinking about going for it.
I would say not to use chemicals on your hair.Why don't you go for some home remedies. Egg whites, lemon juice, oil massages, reducing stress and diet changes can reduce hair fall and make it healthier. You can find more cheap, effective and natural home remedies for hair loss as well as for healthy hair at http://www.wellnesstalk.org/hairfall.html
The basics of using a laser level