Customer Reviews

Black & Decker BDL200S Bullseye Bullet Manual Laser

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"It's my favorite tool" or so I told my kids when they gave it to me for my birthday. In reality, it is a basic laser pointer in a fancy package. Yes, it produces a straight laser line on the wall or floor, but you need to use a manual level to get it correct. It is difficult to hang on the wall and cannot be done without putting a small nail hole in a spot where you probably don't want one. Spend the extra money and buy a better mounting, self leveling and more accurate one if you need things to be absolutely perfect.

The purpose of this tool is to project a relatively long and straight laser line for alignment, construction, or what have you. As an engineer and general fan of Black and Decker's products, I was sadly surprised to find out that this product is neither useful or accurate.

The good news:
It runs on a 9v battery (cheap and easy to replace). Comes with two different mounting options in addition to the magnetic base.

The bad news:
1. The line is inconsistently bright along it's projected path. It seems about 2 to 3 times brighter in the center than on the far edges. This effect is disturbing because it's also thicker in the center. At the edges, the line is so dim that you need enhancement glasses (sort of like safety glasses, but red in color) to see it OR you have to use it in near total darkness.

2. The bubble levels inside the unit are too small, inaccurate, and not adjustable. When I placed this unit on my tablesaw (which was precisely aligned and leveled) it shows (incorrectly) that the saw is tilted about 2-3 deg. This is a huge problem and makes the unit difficult to justify. The owner's manual says that the levels are only calibrated to the laser line when held or hung up against a vertical surface. Okay, but what if you want to lay tile, place a fencepost, or align cabinets?

3. Mounting the laser to the wall requires drilling a hole. The base for wall mounting requires a small hole in the wall and as you rotate the base, three prongs expand out, temporarily locking the base to the wall. It's a pretty good system, but other manufacturers have systems that allow vertical surface use without drilling. It'd be a hassle to have to fill and paint the little holes constantly.

4. The bonehead that designed this did NOT for some unknown reason, make the sides square. So you cannot simply lie it on either side and expect a horizontal line...I'm lost on this one. Miserable engineering at it's worst.

In short, this unit is really only good at projecting a straight line. YOU have to level that line. Get a plumb bob or a 4' level, set this up and adjust the line it projects to level, then you're set. But, on the other hand, if you have a 4' level and plumb bob, all this unit provides is a simple, straight line, confirming your measurements.

Pros: Small, simple, 9V common battery power supply. Comes with case.

Cons: Not self-leveling. Must use other tools to adjust. Case not square. Cannot project line from a horizontal surface.

Even on sale for $20, it's hard to justify this product. It really only projects a line...and not even a straight one. A straight edge would work as well.

I purchased mine for $5 at a clearance bin at one of those big hardware outfitters. A great price considering it started off at $30.

The concept of a magnetic base was great but the magnet is too weak to hold itself up, even on a sheet of iron. It could've been really usefull with a stronger magnet for leveling a row of server cabinets in a computer datacenter and I guess I'll try to retrofit a stronger magnet in it.

I haven't given the pinhole mounts a try yet but since you have to make a hole in the drywall, it's probably best suited for shelving a garage or a project basement or toolshed.

I couldn't go wrong for the price but if it just had a stronger magnet I would have given it 3 stars.

This is the BIGGEST waste of money there is. I can eye a better level line than this thing. It doesn't give you a level line until you use a real level, to level it???? whats the point??? Save your money. This thing makes a better door stop than a laser level.

This is awful. I can't believe I spent $5 on it - what a waste of $$!

The line is completely inconsistent and even curves downward. There's no way it's level. This is at best a kids' toy and not a professional tool.

This is a great buy for $30.

The basic lazer levels use a single "dot" bean horizontally (as pictured above). The B&D goes one better by making that "dot" a veritcal line with about 30 degrees spread. That means that it will show on the floor and not just something that is raised above the floor.

It makes a great movable chalk line.

The base for mounting it on drywall works well. It has a 2nd one for hard surface where you have to drill a 4-8 mm hole. I have not tried that one, but it appears that it will work.

I can think of many things to improve it such as extending the magnet out (or adding a 3 base) to use directly on metal.

Also the level vials would work better if they where placed on the side and end, rather on the top.

But it is great buy at $30.