PLS180 Red Cross Line Laser Level PLS-60521 by Pacific Laser Systems

This really is a quality layout tool that deserves to be in your tool kit. The self-leveling mechanism is accurate and reliable and the unit is amazingly tough- I've dropped it a few times now with no loss of utility or accuracy. The beam is very bright and easy to see. The support that comes with it is great, using rare earth magnets that will hold it fast, especially useful because you can just stick it on any corner of a wall that has corner bead. It's even stuck to a drywall nail in the wall with the magnets. It gives a true 180 spread with both level and plumb and I've never had an application where the distance was too long not to see the beam on the other side. It comes with a neat little nylon padded case that can be worn on a belt and its small size makes it very practical. I've used it all day with one set of batteries. This is a very well made tool- I have found it essential for professional use and its value is tough to beat.

I'm a 59.8 year old carpenter who has seen a lot of levels through the years. This is my 'go to' instrument now. My experience with some other lasers has not been so favorable. One job in particular, an already unpopular carpenter had used his "self leveling" laser to set up a long hallway to be paneled completely with alder. The result was pretty bad and difficult to hide when the horizontal panels crossed a door head. It would have been easy to check the control line with another level before starting the botch. A month later, when the economy was pinching the company, that carpenter lost his job. The leveling mechanism in the PLS 180 finds the sweet spot simply with a plumb bob mechanism. You can tell when you are attaching it to the mount. The line swings like a bob to settle in the same place. I treat this like a fine instrument and store it in a place it won't get knocked. Like a camera or any other instrument I have ever owned, it would have to be recalibrated after any impact. I check calibration by setting it up in several spots in a room and checking the distance between the marks to see if it varies. So far after about two years it has served me well. I have been completely remodeling an old home before I move in with my wife. I'm slow and expensive and the economy is struggling so I buy myself remodel jobs now to stay busy putzing at my own rate. The line is a plane, so you can shoot a complete control line from one end of the room. So far i have used it for leveling long 40' beams within a hair because I could precisely line up the column heights. I used it to shoot a line for framing headers and perfectly aligning a living room with 8 windows and 3 doors. If I had measured from the floor or ceiling the windows might have been way off because the old slab had been heaved by roots and settling. I found the high and low spots on that slab easily by measuring down from the horizontal plane to any spot in the room. I have used it outside to set batter boards for trenches. I have used the vertical line to strike a continuous control line across the floor to reference a floor tile layout. I used both vertical and horizontal lines for a grid reference layout for wall tiles. Cabinet lines are easy to set up. I'm getting by without the outdoor sensor,but it would be handy because the line disappears in sunlight. When I really need to shoot an outdoor line, then dawn and dusk with a sheet of white paper work for me. When ever I need a level I often reach for my PLS180. It's mighty handy because it is so quick to set up. A few years ago when I was working alongside an army of awesome finish carpenters on the lakefront of Tahoe, the consensus was that this was becoming the most popular level. I have a whole stable of nice Stabila levels and they hang on a nail longer than ever now between uses .

(Edit 12/7/11): I want to mention that my one criticism of the PLS180 was the absence of plumb points. That's been addressed by the Pacific Laser Systems PLS4. Definitely consider the PLS4 over this PLS180. Despite the price difference, there are many situations where plumb points are really handy. BTW, my PLS180 is still holding up great!)I'm working upstairs reframing cracked walls while our foundation contractor is finishing up work downstairs. I've been watching them work with the PLS5 and saw the obvious utility in a laser level. The PLS180 is a big improvement to the PLS5, in most respects.First project with the PLS180 was framing up a load-bearing wall with a 3x10 header. The 180 projects a vertical line from floor plate to ceiling, so not only is it obvious & foolproof where to measure, you can also instantly see if studs are bowed after banging them into place. It takes most of the guesswork out of blocking.The header install was a snap. With the PLS sitting on top of a ladder, we projected a line across our new framing, and measured from the laser line to the top of the supporting (short) stud. We then marked and measured the same distance on the opposing stud, and cut to a perfect length. The header couldn't have been any more level.Upcoming projects: Projecting a line across joists for drilling alignment for easy Romex pulls, build-in-place kitchen counter-top leveling, vinyl & tile floor installations, and a couple of replacement interior doors.Only "minus" compared to the PLS5 is the 180 can't draw a perfect plumb point. The PLS5 will project perfectly aligned plumb spots above and below the nose of the unit. The 180, since it projects a line, will let you know you're plumb in one direction only. It's easy enough to pick a spot (either on the floor on overhead), then shoot at it from two different directions (90° opposed) and where the lines intersect marks either directly above or directly below. So for brand new layouts, this may be an extra complication.Just for fun, our dog, who loves chasing laser spots on the carpet, is totally overwhelmed by the beam projected by this device. He simply cowers when I turn it on.[Added 12/10] I'm still regularly enjoying / using this PLS180 laser but decided there are times when a second laser would be helpful, and also wanted a plumb function (to project a point directly above + directly below). First I tried a 5-way Bosch GPL5 which I didn't like so much because it only projected points, not lines. Then I stumbled across the AGATEC CPL50, written up on the Journal of Light Construction website. It's significantly cheaper than the PLS, though is not quite as capable, but does feature a plumb function. It's turned out to be a great companion to the PLS180. The AGATEC is sold here on Amazon and I'd recommend checking it out if you can accept some of its shortcomings. I posted a review drawing some comparisons between the two units.

Great tool. Works exactly as specified, easy to use, very accurate, nice and compact, significantly reduced time when making accurate measurements in a large room. In bright light still usable, though a detector would make it easier, but this is not to be interpreted as a criticism. For the price, it is a great value and one would have to spend much more to get a laser that was easier to read in sunlight. Highly recommend this product.

This is a great line it shoots about 75 ft plain as day. You can see it even if there are bright lights in the room. I dropped it from about 5 feet it cracked the glass I bought an extended warranty however doesn’t cover anything if the manufacture already didn’t call so I’m out $208 The Square trade warranty is no good. If this product is so fragile it's not worth owning. We are in the construction trade. This should be built in a rubber durable case.

Best laser. Good quality product. It's not cheap but quality justify the price. Have it long time. Have no complaints.

Great laser, note there is no repair place for this in Canada

Très bien

I've had these before and still find them to be the best palm laser on the market for accuracy

Easy to use ,and a right price for what you ask of it.