A laser is one of those tools that everyone has in their tool arsenal. You can use it from laying out a building to laying out a wall for tile and everything in between. Having straight lines is key for any project and that is where a laser shines.
That is also where Bosch shines. They are known for their quality lasers that are made for the job site. Bosch has been in the business for a long time and they know how important a quality and accurate laser can be. So when you look at their line of lasers, you will see anything from a simpler line laser to a full 360° laser. The GCL100-80C is in-between. This is a cross-line with plumb points.
Bosch GCL100-80C Review Features
The Bosch GCL100-80C comes with the laser, 12V battery, charger, pouch, mount and case. The laser has an accuracy of ±1/8″ at 30′ and points of ±9/32 at 30′. The laser will work up to 100′.
The laser is built with Visimax which makes the line crisper and brighter all while consuming less power which means longer run times.
The Bosch is powered by a 12V rechargeable battery.
To turn the laser on, just move the red slide bar. This will allow you to lock the lasers or use the self-leveling mode which will work up to 4°. The tool uses a smart pendulum system.
The whole housing is protected with a rubber/plastic over-mold.
On top of the laser, you can adjust the lines and points, plus see the battery status. You can also use this laser with the Bosch app, making your life easier. If you have a receiver, you can even set this to pulse mode so your receiver will pick up the laser. In pulse mode, you will get an additional 65′ which brings it up to a total of 165′.
Once the laser is on, you can adjust the laser to show a vertical, horizontal and point all at the same time or just a vertical, horizontal or points.
On the bottom of the laser, there is a 1/4-20 mounting thread for tripods.
The mount is a nice feature. The magnetic rotating mount will rotate the laser 360 degrees while staying center on the plumb points. The ceiling grip clip makes laying out ceilings much easier.
Bosch GCL100-80C Review Performance
While there is a lot to a laser, two big factors are toughness and most importantly, the ability to see the lines. It’s very hard to get this point across in an article since you are looking at pictures, but I can easily see the line on either a light or dark background. I am sure the green laser is even better, but it does come at a higher cost.
As with the lines, the plumb can be seen even on a 16′ ceiling or concrete floor.
Bosch GCL100-80C Review Value
When it comes to Bosch lasers, I trust them. This one retails for about $280 on Amazon. Yes, it does have a high price tag for a cross-line laser but I think it’s worth every penny. They are tough and accurate. So if you are looking for a laser made for the job site, this is the way to go. If you want to spend a little less and don’t need the plumb, Bosch does offer a cross-line for less.
Bosch GCL100-80C Review Final Thoughts
Bottom line, I love Bosch lasers and the GCL100-80C isn’t any different. While I wish this came with two batteries, it’s really the only thing I can fault this tool for. The rest of this tool is built around a quality body and internal workings. So if you are in the trades and you need a cross-line with plumb, take a look at this laser. Let us know your thoughts. Do you like Bosch lasers? Have you had experience with this laser?
Looks like a nice unit. Shame they don’t seem to be offering it without battery and charger for those that already have a lot of Bosch 12v tools