Which laser level works outdoors?

Terry,

You might take a look at the PLS2E (Pacific Laser Systems). I've been very
pleased with my PLS2. It projects both a horizontal and/or plum line and is
self leveling. It works best when inside or where there is some shade.
However, PLS has just come out with the PLS2E which can be used outside in
bright sunlight. I believe these units include a special receptor which is
sensitive to the laser. I don't know what your price point is, but most all
of the professional grade laser levels will run several hundred dollars.
You get what you pay for....

Bob


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
> references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
> about 10 feet outdoors?
>
> I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
> outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
> short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
> the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
> laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
> the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
> Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
> them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
> projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
> as needed.
>
> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
> Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
> line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
> is limited.
>
> Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
> TIA, Terry
>

Yeah. Pacific Laser's PLS5X comes in at about $560, and needs a tripod
and probably a tripod adapter. Everything Stanley makes is rated for
interior use, as is everything else PLS makes.

As someone notes, a couple bricks and layout string will be cheapest
and best.

In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
>references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
>Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
>about 10 feet outdoors?

Yes, such things _do_ exist. But they are expensive. VERY *EXPENSIVE*.

>I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
>outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
>short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
>the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
>laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
>the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
>Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
>them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
>projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
>as needed.
>
>I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
>Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
>line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
>is limited.
>
>Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.

Sounds to me like your best bet is to 'snap' a _chalk_line_, and then
vaccum up the chalk afterwards, if necessary.

Alternatives are to put up something to block enough of the 'ambient'
light that you _can_ see the el-cheapo laser level. Essentially, build
a temporary 'cave' to work in.

Mon, Feb 14, 2005, 4:59pm (EST-3) [email protected] claims:
<snip> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot,
Lowes, or Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in
sunlight no line is visible). <snip>

Lines? You're either trolling, or been watching too many sci-fi
flicks. And, I've got a laser level that works fine, and ran me less
than $10 - but maybe it was so cheap because it didn't do lines either.

You want a line, get a piece of clear plastic tubing. Put some
water in it. Then raise the far end of the tube, until you get water up
to your reference point. Then the othen water level will be exactly the
same level. Run a string between the two and you've got your "line".
Or, possibly you can "shoot" your laser, then toss some flour in the
air, and get your "line" that way, but I don't know what good that would
be.



JOAT
Intellectual brilliance is no guarantee against being dead wrong.
- David Fasold

Mon, Feb 14, 2005, 4:59pm (EST-3) [email protected] says:
<snip> I am looking <snip>

On second thought, I think we need more details.



JOAT
Intellectual brilliance is no guarantee against being dead wrong.
- David Fasold

If money is the restrictive factor, use clear tubing and water.
Or rent a sight level (builders level).

Dave

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
> references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
> about 10 feet outdoors?
>
> I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
> outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
> short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
> the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
> laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
> the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
> Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
> them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
> projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
> as needed.
>
> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
> Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
> line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
> is limited.
>
> Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
> TIA, Terry
>



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If money is the restrictive factor, use clear tubing and water.
Or rent a sight level (builders level).

Dave

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
> references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
> about 10 feet outdoors?
>
> I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
> outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
> short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
> the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
> laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
> the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
> Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
> them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
> projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
> as needed.
>
> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
> Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
> line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
> is limited.
>
> Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
> TIA, Terry
>



Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[email protected] wrote:
> I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
> references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
> about 10 feet outdoors?
>
> I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
> outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
> short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
> the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
> laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
> the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
> Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
> them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
> projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
> as needed.
>
> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
> Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
> line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
> is limited.
>
> Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
> TIA, Terry
>
Terry,

If you have your heart set on this laser thing your best bet is to golf
at night. Cheaper too.

hth, hand.

"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:10:21 -0500, "TaskMule"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >No store bought laser will give you an actual line you can reliably see
in
> >sunny daylight.
>
> Goggles and masking tape backgrounds help, but this is certainly an
> issue.
>
> >Also they will not give you an actual line, just a single dot.
>
> I've just bought a new £50 level for tiling - a pendulum mechanism
> with a horizontal and vertical line generator lens on it (not a
> rotating mirror). Two excellent lines, which are really intended for
> indoor use square-on to the wall, but they still make a useful
> horizontal line for outdoor use, projecting along the surface.

OK, yea, I know those ones. good point

"TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> From the original post it would appear that he doesn't want to distrub
other
> golfers on the green, heh
>
>

Yup - sorta makes the bricks and string idea a bit inappropriate, huh?
--

-Mike-
[email protected]

"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mon, Feb 14, 2005, 4:59pm (EST-3) [email protected] says:
> <snip> I am looking <snip>
>
> On second thought, I think we need more details.

Th details are there, he wants to project a line on the ground so a water
level wouldn't be much use.

"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mon, Feb 14, 2005, 4:59pm (EST-3) [email protected] claims:
> <snip> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot,
> Lowes, or Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in
> sunlight no line is visible). <snip>
>
> Lines? You're either trolling, or been watching too many sci-fi
> flicks. And, I've got a laser level that works fine, and ran me less
> than $10 - but maybe it was so cheap because it didn't do lines either.
>
> You want a line, get a piece of clear plastic tubing. Put some
> water in it. Then raise the far end of the tube, until you get water up
> to your reference point. Then the othen water level will be exactly the
> same level. Run a string between the two and you've got your "line".
> Or, possibly you can "shoot" your laser, then toss some flour in the
> air, and get your "line" that way, but I don't know what good that would
> be.
>

Actually JT, a lot of laser levels will shoot a line along a surface. Mine
does. I think though that the OP wants the line to appear on the grass, so
the water level solution won't work for him. Still not sure why a simple
piece of string won't work for him.
--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Mine too.

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I can say the my cheapo laser level does in fact dies cast a line the
entire
> length of its beam very similar to those found on miter saws.
>
>
>

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> survey twine and two bricks. the twine comes in dayglo colors. the
> bricks are red. if you need more visibility, paint the bricks dayglo
> too.
>
> wrap the twine around the brick two or three turns and stretch it
> where you need it.

I second that motion. Essentially the same thing masons do when laying
blocks, except on a smaller scale. Works for them, should work for the OP.
--

-Mike-
[email protected]

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:10:21 -0500, "TaskMule"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>No store bought laser will give you an actual line you can reliably see in
>sunny daylight.

Goggles and masking tape backgrounds help, but this is certainly an
issue.

>Also they will not give you an actual line, just a single dot.

I've just bought a new £50 level for tiling - a pendulum mechanism
with a horizontal and vertical line generator lens on it (not a
rotating mirror). Two excellent lines, which are really intended for
indoor use square-on to the wall, but they still make a useful
horizontal line for outdoor use, projecting along the surface.

"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Mon, Feb 14, 2005, 4:59pm (EST-3) [email protected] claims:
> > <snip> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot,
> > Lowes, or Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in
> > sunlight no line is visible). <snip>
> >
> > Lines? You're either trolling, or been watching too many sci-fi
> > flicks. And, I've got a laser level that works fine, and ran me less
> > than $10 - but maybe it was so cheap because it didn't do lines either.
> >
> > You want a line, get a piece of clear plastic tubing. Put some
> > water in it. Then raise the far end of the tube, until you get water up
> > to your reference point. Then the othen water level will be exactly the
> > same level. Run a string between the two and you've got your "line".
> > Or, possibly you can "shoot" your laser, then toss some flour in the
> > air, and get your "line" that way, but I don't know what good that would
> > be.
> >
>
> Actually JT, a lot of laser levels will shoot a line along a surface.
Mine
> does. I think though that the OP wants the line to appear on the grass,
so
> the water level solution won't work for him. Still not sure why a simple
> piece of string won't work for him.

From the original post it would appear that he doesn't want to distrub other
golfers on the green, heh

"TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>
> No store bought laser will give you an actual line you can reliably see in
> sunny daylight.

While I cannot contest this statement and can agree that is true with my
findings,

> Also they will not give you an actual line, just a single dot.

I can say the my cheapo laser level does in fact dies cast a line the entire
length of its beam very similar to those found on miter saws.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
> references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
> Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
> about 10 feet outdoors?
>
> I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
> outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
> short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
> the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
> laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
> the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
> Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
> them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
> projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
> as needed.
>
> I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
> Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
> line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
> is limited.
>
> Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
> TIA, Terry
>

No store bought laser will give you an actual line you can reliably see in
sunny daylight.
Also they will not give you an actual line, just a single dot.
A proper spinning laser ($300 and up) will give you an actual line but will
be very difficult to see in sunny daylight. Especially on grass

On 14 Feb 2005 16:59:51 -0800, [email protected] wrote:

>I searched the discussion groups for laser levels and found a few
>references here so I will ask you for assistance.
>
>Can anyone tell me if there exists a tool to project a straight line
>about 10 feet outdoors?
>
>I am looking for a laser level (or some other tool) to project a line
>outdoors on the ground (actually a very well maintained, extremely
>short cut grass lawn) on a sunny day. I would like to be able to see
>the line for 8 to 10 feet (maximum of 20 feet). I am looking for a
>laser level type of projection because I can not drive any stake into
>the lawn and I can not leave a mark on the lawn when I am finished.
>Also other people will be walking around the area and I do not want
>them to trip over any physical line. I need to adjust/rotate the
>projected straight line easily a few degrees to the left or the right
>as needed.
>
>I have tried the $40 to $50 laser levels found at Home Depot, Lowes, or
>Menards (take your pick) and they work poorly outside (in sunlight no
>line is visible). I expect there exists a solution but my price range
>is limited.
>
>Your suggestions (and price ranges) are most welcome.
>
>TIA, Terry


survey twine and two bricks. the twine comes in dayglo colors. the
bricks are red. if you need more visibility, paint the bricks dayglo
too.

wrap the twine around the brick two or three turns and stretch it
where you need it.