2017 Editors' Choice Award: Stabila LA180L Layout Laser

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Why it made the list: One person can set a perfectly square layout, every time, up to 328 feet in just about any scenario any tradesmen might need.

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Accurate layout is one of the single most important elements in all forms of construction, whether it be forming the foundation, framing walls, hanging cabinets, setting tile or everything in between. While it is true that every apprentice needs to learn and master layout with a tape measure and construction calculator, there are faster ways to get perfect layout once those traditional skills are acquired. These days, laser levels are making the all-important tasks of finding level, plumb, square, and point-to-point alignment as simple as pressing a button.

There are a lot of laser level units on the market now that shoot plumb lines, plumb dots, level lines, and even square ones (examples include the PLS5, PLS90e, and the PLS480). But they’ve had their limitations, namely that the square function only works on level surfaces. To shoot square with laser layout units in an exterior setting you need to use a receiver. The drawback to this is that it requires moving the laser in small increments until it hits the detector dead center; this can be time consuming. Pulling tapes sometimes is the faster choice.The Stabila LA180L Layout station has an auto alignment feature, which I absolutely had to try out.

Key Features and Functionality
This goofy-looking laser shoots 3 plumb lines and one level line. Two of the plumb lines are 180° from each other, fanning vertically and the third plumb line is perpendicular to them. There is also a plumb dot that shoots down and up, which helps align the laser on a mark when you’re shooting square. Each of the lines pulse, so they can be used with a detector.

The LA180L comes with the REC410 Line RF receiver. Now this is where this product gets interesting. Like other layout lasers, you can adjust the unit until the receiver beeps, showing that you’re aligned. The adjustable knob on the laser itself makes micro adjustments very easy. The standout feature here, though, is that you can also adjust the laser using the receiver. Once you press the crosshair button on the receiver, the unit then starts moving until it finds the receiver. This works very well and we checked it against layout established by the PLS and tape measures and math, and it is perfectly accurate. The range on this auto-alignment feature is 150’; it communicates via radio frequency. After 150’ the receiver will pick up the beams’ pulse mode up to 328’ so you have to manually adjust the laser between 150’ and 328’, should you use it to shoot square at that distance.

Now, honestly speaking, I can manually adjust the laser faster than the auto-alignment function can because on my jobsites I’m typically using it at distances less than 60’. What I like about this auto-alignment feature, though, is that I can start the alignment process with the receiver, then go snap some other lines or roll out tools or double check numbers on the blueprints, call the lumberyard or whatever while the unit does its work. What’s more, this unit means I don’t need anyone’s help setting up or establishing layout, either. Additionally, if I am aligned, I can use the up/down arrows on the receiver to move the laser. This is helpful when we are compensating for out-of-square conditions and want to quickly know if we move ¼” how it’ll affect the other perpendicular line. Here’s an example: sometimes we have to adjust one side of the mudsill so that it will hang over the foundation wall, which means we'd have to re-square the other leg. At that point we might find the other leg is too far out. With this laser adjusting instantly all I have to do is walk over and check each leg with the detector. There is no re-squaring because the unit is always square.

This laser also makes it super easy to establish layout in basements with stepped walls, or if we are framing partition walls, we don’t need to snap lines; we can position the laser and instantly have layout on the ceiling that directly matches the floor without getting on a ladder.

For us as the general contractor, we always site in the footprint of the house on the building lot after the lot is cleared so the excavator can dig the hole. This always means we need three 300’ tapes, two guys running, one guy reading plans and calling numbers, calculating square, and usually our boss who makes the final decision. Once we stake out the corners of the house, we nearly always make adjustments to how it is sited in, which means more measuring and running with the tapes. With this laser we can instantly get our largest square without running all three legs of a triangle. This means a process that is faster, less open to potential errors, less aggravation, and because the laser will shoot level too, we can get rough ideas for elevation differences.

There are a couple of things about this laser that I found a little clunky. One is that while the shape of the laser makes it easier to fit into corners, it makes the unit a little cumbersome and awkward to place in some scenarios. It is best on a level surface plenty large enough for the base. It is sometimes precarious on the edge of a stem wall foundation. Stabila does make brackets ($150 ea.) for this application, but they add expense. The second quibble is that because of the shape of the unit, it is awkward to handle when replacing batteries (it takes D Alkaline; there’s a rechargeable battery kit sold separately for $100). It’s easy to change them, but doing so puts the unit off balance, so you have to set it down gently.

Stabila has designed this unit for “long range layout”, and the accuracy is excellent. Like most laser levels, it self-levels if it is within 5°. Accuracy is state at 3/32” at 100’ for level, ⅛” at 100’ for line straightness (meaning there is little to no warping in the line), vertical laser is 3/32” at 100’ for plumb.

The Bottom Line
This kit sells on Amazon for $1500 (not including the foundation bracket or rechargabley battery kit). If I was only framing, I would likely pass on purchasing this because I can layout mudsills and partition walls quickly enough with other, less expensive units. But because we are the general contractor, it is easy to justify the purchase. We can layout the house on the building lot fast, easy and with perfect accuracy. When we form the foundation, we can quickly square it, even if the lot is stepped. Same for framing, and any elevated decks. It can also shoot level, meaning that with this laser you may not need to buy a rotary laser. If your company does a lot of layout, buy this laser.

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