OK maybe I went to far by saying it’s the world’s best laser. I am sure the government has a pretty cool laser that shoots down from space to zap people. I would have to say that would be the best laser. As far as a contractor’s laser for building, the Bosch GLL3-80 does have to be the best laser around. With this laser, the sky is the limit. You can frame, tile, hang cabinets and more.
So what makes this laser so cool? You can see by the pictures below, there are actually three laser lines, horizontal and vertical. This means a user gets a true 360° full plane coverage with 6 cross points. Come on how cool is that? What can’t you do with this laser? OK maybe you can’t order a pizza with it, but it does just about everything else.
As you can see, the tool has a laser in the front, top and side. The user can select up to four different line configurations depending upon the job. This laser is a piece of cake to use as there are only three total buttons. When the system is in the off mode, everything locks up to make transporting the unit safer, plus the case has a lot of foam to protect the tool. The unit is powered by 4 AA batteries. To save battery life, the unit will automatically turn off in 30 minutes without use. On the side, just move the switch to the first position and the unit turns on and locks the lines. This way the user can adjust exactly where they want the lines. Move the switch over one more time and now you have the self leveling option in full force. The unit is self level to ±4°. If the unit gets jarred or moved, you will hear an audible beep, plus the line will flash as a visual indication. The user can stop the beeping noise by just holding the top two buttons down. This was useful because as we where shooting the track into the floor, the vibration would move the laser. Instead of turning the laser on and off, we could just silence the laser.
.On the top of the laser, there are two buttons. One to use with a pulse receiver. We didn’t use a receiver, but when you press the button, there is a green light that shows you have this mode on. The other button is to select what line a user wants.
The system has two magnets. On the front of the laser, there are two magnets which is prefect for attaching it to track and keep the line running true. On the free standing base, there is also a magnet which is very strong. The free standing base also lets the user raise and lower the unit to make fine tune adjustments.
When we framed out the basement, this laser played a huge roll for a couple of reasons. First it made the job much quicker. We could set up the laser and have one guy laying bottom and top track one way, while the other guy worked another wall. The beam was very easy to see. Yes we were in a basement, but even where the spot lights hit the ceiling, you could still see the line and make sure you were even. The second item was when we were using this, we knew we could be confident all our walls would line up. The top track would hit the bottom track. We didn’t have to worry about stopping and making sure the tracks were plumb. Just follow the line and your done.
The tile was even easier and we produced a great finished product. All the grout lines were matched up evenly and could set it so minimize our tile cutting. I can’t wait to use this on the cabinets, chair rail and more.
We found this laser for an average price of $450 which is a lot cheaper than big rotary levels. How can you go wrong with a name like Bosch, 360° of leveling fun and a tool that even a 3 year old could operate. This will be the last laser you will ever have to buy. It’s durable, accurate and does everything you need, plus it comes with a three year warranty.
Specifications of the Bosch GLL3-80
| Accuracy | Up to ±1/4-in @ 100-ft |
| Laser Diode | Class II 630 – 670 nm |
| Leveling Type | Self-Leveling, Up to 4° |
| Mount Threading | 1/4-20, 5/8-11 |
| Operating Temperature | 14° F / -10° C up to 104° F / 40° C |
| Range | Up to 65-ft (Indoors) |
| Weight (lbs.) | 1.7 |
What’s Included
- Bosch GLL3-80 360 Degree 3-Plane Leveling and Alignment Line Laser
- WM1 Positioning Device for Line and Point Lasers
- 4 AA batteries
- Hard Carrying Case
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I see you stuck your left index finger some place you shouldn’t have.
LOL Bill, that is a sign that we are actually working on projects lol
GLL3-80 – Can it be used outdoors?
What is maximum range for pulse sensing?
Having the ability to find 90 degree right angles on the floor and on the wall is a real plus for as-built drawing work.
Also looks like it could be very helpful for smaller civil topo projects involving ADA ramps.
Can’t wait until store opens tomorrow! Got to have one
Well worth it. I love this laser
It can be used outside and according to Bosch it has a range of 265 ft in bright light. Your right it does have a lot of different applications, very cool. I am still amazed by this and love using it. It really saves me a lot of time.
More amazing uses for the GLL-3-80:
– You can lock the laser and tilt it to the slope of a ramp and set the top of handrails continuously or for starters can set the slope of the ramp by using the DNM 60 or 120 against a vertical surface and rotate the GLL-3-80, to meet an ADA ramp slope. The DNM has the same reliable module that the DOJ uses for digital ramp or ground surface evaluations.
It give you a perfect 90 degree reference point anywhere on 6 axis’s. Fantastic!
Best tools for ADA compliance work are:
The DNM 60 and 120 digital level – it uses the same module with the same accuracy as the device used by the DOJ for ADA work.
The GLL-3-80 for layout of ramps, railings, projection to limits of of ADA ramp layouts, and squaring the layouts. The GLL 3-80 is also usefull for taking as built measurement that will reveal of walls are out of plumb and square.
It also works well for projecting horizontal and topographic existing conditions that help to layout ADA routes accurately.
Best tools for ADA compliance work are:
The DNM 60 and 120 digital level – the current Bosch level uses the same module with the same accuracy as the device used by the DOJ for ADA work.
The GLL-3-80 is excellent for laying out ramps, railings, projection to limits of of ADA ramp layouts, and squaring the layouts. The GLL 3-80 is also usefull for taking as built measurement that will reveal if walls are out of plumb and square.
The GLL- 3-80 also works well for projecting and measuring horizontal/topographic existing conditions that help to layout ADA routes accurately.
These tools save a considerable amount of time for assessing and layouting existing and new work.
Hi. Can this Laser Level be recalibrated if it was knocked, or dropped and lost calibration? Looking at getting the Green lined version of this. Thanks.
Good question and not sure. For something like that, I know most people send it in if it’s out of line.