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I call back the days of using a tenacious , clear metro filled with water to establish point when setting concrete initiation shape . While that ’s still a highly precise method ( water will always seek a pure story ) , it has some obvious drawbacks , so I was excited when I got the chance to quiz three highly rate ego - levelingrotary optical maser levels .
While all the models I tested performed well , theTopcon RL - H5Astood out from the clump , winning the top spot in the card . Keep reading to find out what I really liked about the RL - H5A ( there ’s a lot to like ) as well as what I find Topcon could do to better it even further .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Topcon’s RL-H5A Rotary Laser Level: At a Glance
Rating:4.8/5
SPECS
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What is the Topcon RL-H5A rotary laser level?
TheRL - H5Ais a self - leveling construction optical maser that emits a rotating 360 - grade red beam up to 1,300 feet , creating a circular diam of up to 2,600 feet . It ’s made byTopcon Corporation , an international leader in producing precision digital measurement and positioning equipment for the building , agriculture , and healthcare industries .
It hail with the Tapcon LS-80X receiver that detects the beam when it ca n’t be seen . It can be challenging for the human heart to see a red balance beam in daylight — even on cloudy days — so having the recipient is crucial . The liquidator blow up the optical maser ’s use , wee it suited for sizable outdoor excavation projects , such as base new driveways orgrading a yardfor effective drain . cherry-red beams from laser levels are also comparatively easy to see indoors , pass water models like this one utile for leveling projects such as hang cabinet and ensuring outlets are all at the same tiptop .
Accuracy and Self-Leveling
Horizontal self - equalization means the RL - H5A automatically set its beam to be level with the earth ’s Earth’s surface , guided by gravitational wrench . ( This is the same gravitative effect that causes water to look for a level . ) The RL - H5A self - levels within 5 degrees . All I had to do was level the tripod using its build - in house of cards level . Then , I attached the RL - H5A to the tripod and booted it up . Within a few second , it began emitting a 360 - arcdegree shaft .
Next , I placed theTopcon RL - H5Aon a crooked tripod to see what would happen . I turned the instrument on , but the beam did n’t splay because it was positioned at an slant greater than 5 point from horizontal .
The power to self - grade is standard technology for a rotary laser storey . I perform a unrefined water subway system trial run to see if the RL - H5A would jibe the water supply grade in a light tube , and the RL - H5A was spot - on . Topcon rate this level as exact to within 1/16 inch at 100 feet . For projects such as installing upper cabinets , this point of precision is vital .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Can I shoot a sloped grade with this rotary laser level?
Yes , up to a 5 - degree slope . However , the Tapcon RL - H5A does n’t automatically calculate the grade for you — you’ll still demand to do the maths yourself to determine the correct grade for your labor . Some laser levels can calculate slope , known as “ gradient - matching optical maser ” or “ slope optical maser , ” but these are typically much more expensive .
Still , I found the RL - H5A ’s slope serve very ready to hand for take a 2 percent gradient to guarantee my yard ’s drainage grade was exact . To shoot the slope , I set up the RL - H5A next to my home ’s basis . Then , my benefactor attached the LS-80X receiver to the grade pole and endure 100 fundament from the foundation . We established a horizontal level by elevate or lowering the pass receiver on the grade pole until it was grade with the RL - H5A ’s light beam ( it beeps when it ’s level ) .
After that , my helper slid the receiver 2 feet lower on the grade pole , and then I drive the gradient clit on the RL - H5A to tilt the shaft downward until the receiver observe it and beeped . That gave us a perfect 2 per centum slope . If we had been actively grade the yard , we would have been capable to hold back the grade at any item between the starting and stopping point in time , and it would have speculate a 2 percentage slope .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Design and Durability
The Topcon laser level sport a heavy - tariff polyethylene caparison with an IP66 rating , which means it is dustproof and water - resistant . As part of my hands - on examination , I sprayed the RL - H5A with water from my garden hose to simulate what might fall out if caught in a rain shower . I let it dry out before try on to turn it on . It powered on without any issues .
I also found the LS-80X receiver to be well progress and durable . It can be used with arechargeable electric battery packthat ’s sold one by one . instead , you may nibble up a set of four rechargeableD - prison cell batteries and a chargerto power the building block that way , which is what I did .
I really liked the furrowed carry lawsuit that come with thisTopcon optical maser level . It features tough precision - molded charge plate to hold back and protect the optical maser , receiver , and extra batteries . It was easy to agree the component into the case , and it snapped snugly . It did n’t even protrude open when the whole thing accidentally topple from the back of the pickup truck onto the gravel driveway . But letting it fall out of the back of a truck is n’t a good idea — endeavor to keep it in a safe place .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Performance Particulars
The Topcon RL - H5A rotary optical maser level performed impressively in my test . It ’s not perfect , but what it does , it does very well . If I had one wish , it would be for Tapcon to total a perpendicular optical maser lineament to the RL - H5A. It ’s far from a great deal - circuit breaker , but combining the RL - H5A ’s horizontal equalisation precision with a vertical laser feature would be keen . Either mode , this is n’t an indispensable feature film — you’re able to practice astandard optical maser levelwith a plumb - bob feature instead .
Another way of life Tapcon could meliorate the appeal here is by including a tripod , form stick , and a set of reddened glasses because all of those items are needed to employ the tool effectively . The other models I test hail with these accoutrement , so I used those to prove this rotary optical maser level . Red glasses separate out out other ambient colour and make it potential to see the beam out of doors . Without the glasses , I was ineffectual to see the beam at any space . If you do n’t have any , you’re able to cull thisBosch pairfor under $ 15 . Indoors , the beam is much easier to see , so if you ’re reckon to hang cabinets or something similar , you should n’t have a problem .
Is the Topcon laser level right for you?
ThisTopcon self - dismantle laser leveloffers telling feature and is extremely precise , making it a valuable cock for pro and enthusiastic DIYers . Its light beam has a compass of up to 1,300 additive feet , set aside the substance abuser to give elevation in a circle up to 2,600 infantry in diameter . It ’s competitively priced with similar models , and the power to self - level is handy for produce perfectly horizontal aeroplane .
It also appropriate users to photograph ground level for a gradient up to 5 degrees ( as long as they know the basics of calculating slopes ) , but it does n’t do the maths for them . If you frequently need to reckon sloped level , you may want to consider a tool designed for that purpose , such asTopcon ’s Dual Slope Laser Level .
The RL - H5A is accurate to within 1/16 inch over 100 human foot , making it a good option for many mental synthesis projects that postulate precise leveling . This level is durable , reliable , and accurate , but it does n’t extend a vertical laser option , which a few other models in its price range do . at last , the RL - H5A is an all - around top performer for most construction undertaking , both professional and DIY .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Where to buy the Topcon RL-H5A rotary laser level
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and writer speciate in the construction , remodeling , and real estate industry . She and her husband own a ecumenical contracting company , and Taylor is experience in both residential and commercial construction software . She tests a wide range of ability prick as well as other nursing home improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
