Customer Reviews

Black & Decker BDSL10 36-Inch Gecko Grip Level with Accu Mark

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have this level and think it is a great tool. I have textured walls in my home. My wife is constantly moving around pictures as she adds more and more from our kids. I have always found it very difficult to use laser levels as they don't tell me where to put the hole only if the picture is level. There are 2 features that make this level unique: 1. The gecko grips, while holding the level with my left hand I am able to drill the hole exactly where it needs to be for the picture hook because of the grips. The grips also do not leave marks on my wall like other levels. 2. The adjustable holes for picture hanging. Trying to figure out where the holes go has always been a problem. I used to use a piece of paper but that didn't help me with how level the holes were. The adjustable holes allow me to lay the level on the back of the picture and adjust the holes on the level to the exact place on the wall I need to drill. I than transfer that right up to the wall and make sure they are level and away I go. I am so happy with the product I have purchased more from Amazon and shipped to my parents and sister. A great little innovative tool and perfect for hanging pictures.

Every time I read a negative review on Amazon, I always try to assess whether the poor review is due to poor product functionality or reviewer ignorance. For the negative reviews on this product, it's the latter.

Gecko Grips - The instructions clearly state to place the level against a vertical surface, adjust to level and then press on the middle of the level. This causes the level to flex a little, retracting the spring-loaded hard plastic pads and allowing the rubber grip pads to contact the wall. This prevents the level from slipping when it is held in place with one hand. If you've ever used a conventional level on a smooth painted surface, you know how aggravating it is to have the level slip and leave a mark. The instructions also clearly state that the grips will not hold the level to the wall by themselves.

Accu-Mark Targets - I was concerned about the targets and how they would slide. Too tight and they don't slide at all. Too loose and they don't keep an accurate setting. I was relieved to see that the channel they slide in can be adjusted with a torx wrench, allowing me to set the tension on the targets just right.

In summary, this is a great product. I really like the 36" length. Not too long, yet long enough for hanging most pictures and shelves accurately.

We did shelves and pictures with this, using the level to mark out where we needed to put the anchors in. since we shop Ikea all the time, we had a ton of stuff to put up. I am not sure about the other reviews, but the gecko system worked perfect for us. the fixed soft pads held the level fine when you apply pressure to the level so you can mark with your free hand. when you apply pressure, the hard pads retract, but when you aren't applying pressure, the hard pads allow you to slide the level and adjust it until it reads level.

It doesn't matter whether the special features of this level work as advertised or not, if it's not reliable as a level. The first one I bought was dramatically off-level, by about 1/8 inch over the length of the level. (This is easy to check. Place it on a nearly level surface and carefully note the bubble position. Then spin it halfway around, as if it were on a turntable, and carefully check the bubble position again. If the positions are different, the bubble vial is not level.)

I got a replacement, and it was also off-level, though not as much. Its bigger problem was that the bubble was so small, it was nowhere near as wide as the distance between the level marks. This makes it impossible to see accurately whether the bubble is centered or not.

This level appears to be a clever idea very badly executed and without any kind of reliable quality control. What on earth good is a level that isn't level?

This level, for one, arrived damaged. For two, it was not level. I placed it on a surface and it showed it was not level. Fine. I then turned the level around and it showed that it was not level in the other direction. While the "Accu Marks" are a good idea, it needs to be paired with a better quality level. Needless to say, it was packed up and shipped back to Amazon.

I was very excited to order this level as our local Lowe's had been sold out for over a month. The targets were very appealing since I hang a lot of art that requires multiple nails. However, it was not as easy to use as I had assumed. First, you must use a writing instrument small enough to reach through the target holes (not a deal-breaker, just a little annoying). Secondly, I did not consider the problem with the length of the level. I could not use it in several places I needed it most due to door or window frames getting in the way. This is where a shorter version with the targets would be most helpful.

I would recommend, but only if you need a level to begin with or have very specific needs - it is just not improved enough to justify replacing one you already have.

I'm a photographer, so I not only hang a lot of pictures, but I change those pictures out quite often, this is a tool that makes that much easier. It has not only gliders on the back making it easier to slide around the wall, even textured walls like mine. But then when you apply slight pressure it has rubber grabbers that help keep the level in place. I noticed some negative comments regarding this feature - it is not designed to stick it to the wall, just to help it stay in place when holding with one hand. I've had no problems with this feature.

I also was pleased that the "accumarks" I was concerned that they would easily slide out of place once the marking tool was inserted, however this has not been a problem either as they do not move easily.

Overall this is a great level, accurate and easy to use, most people only have the need for 1 level, in that case I would purchase this one. It does have it's drawbacks...you are limited on the size of the frames you hang, they can be both too little or too small, but the range is a decent one.

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband, but I have to say if he had purchased it for me I would have been thrilled with it. A great tool for those do-it-yourself women that either don't have a husband or the patience to wait around for the one they do have to hang their frames.

I received this level for Christmas, and at first I thought it another unique tool I wouldn't know what to do with but, after a thorough investigation of all its capabilities, it is an amazing device. How many times have you tried to hang a picture perfectly level without the level slipping just as you go to mark the wall? No more with this level, it saves you from the frustration of redoing everything again. A great tool, and I've enjoyed using it. Great buy too.

I looked high and low for this in local stores, but never could find one. So, I finally ordered one for me and one for my Dad on Amazon. I was a little scared because at the time, it had quite a few negative reviews. But, I was surprised to see that it worked so well. You can move the sliders easily, they do stay in place, and Gecko Grip works well. If you're expecting Gecko Grip to stick the level to the wall without you holding it, then you're misled. There's two spring-loaded plastic pads, but this just allows the rubberized pads to make better contact with the wall. Especially with uneven walls like mine.

If you are reading reviews about a level, you are probably interested in whether the gimmicks add or subtract from the quality of the level. At the end of the day, if you take the Gecko Grip and Accu Mark out of the equation you are still left with a fairly priced and perfectly serviceable level.

Onto the extras:

Accu Mark:
Why all levels don't have this I do not know. It makes complete sense when you think about it and I have found it very useful. It is limited by the width of the level (obviously) so you won't be able to use it when hanging a large picture or mirror but that is barely a criticism. I found the system enabled me to quickly and accurately hang pictures, towel bars ... the list goes on.

Gecko Grip:
The level has rubber on the mark to stop it slipping. That is all it is. It works, it doesn't seem to mark the wall, enough said.

the only minor irritation I had with this grip is that the packaging is stuck to the level leaving sticky residue when it is removed. It is nothing that a clean with some goo gone or similar won't tackle but is a minor irritation all the same.

All in all, this is a very solid level for the intermediate home improver.