Customer Reviews

Bosch GPL3T 3-Point Torpedo Laser Alignment Kit

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have tried many laser/leveler tools in the past, and some, like the FatMax self leveling multiline laser have not been a waste of money. OK, not the same money as the big professional lasers. But mostly a waste. So rather skeptically got this Bosch unit but only after being happy with the Bosch DAF220K electronic protractor for cove mouldings on cathedral ceilings. I had been installing a 100' aluminum and glass deck fence on a sl wavy seawall and also needing level footings on a bi-sloping deck and was frustrated with the wind and gravity messing the chalklines. My other lasers just couldn't be trusted over such a distance for flush and level and my 4 ft precision level was too long for final plumb of the 3 ft stiles.
So I bought this unit. Rarely has a tool made my life so much easier. Maybe just luck this one was so well calibrated that the bubble level on the adjustable stand got me within 3/32th inch of level at 100 ft! That little magnetically held stand is what makes this unit so useable for such a distance. Of course the dot is larger and fuzzier, but still bright enough during the day to get my mark. Thus was able to adjust the footing for the base of each stile and keep the distance to the bottom and top rails constant. Then turning the LED off, it was perfect as a torpedo level to give my plumb adjustments. Checking with my 4 ft level it was right on every time. (It also doesn't hurt that the design and workmanship are superb, the picture above doesn't do it justice, important when one loves precision tools, they just feel and look better.) Highly recommended.

I borrowed this from my dad, and I don't think he's getting it back. I had to dig a 30' drainage ditch with a 15' ditch coming into it off the downspout. This laser level allowed me to get to work immediately and measure on the fly. No messing with string and stakes.

The leveling platform is brilliant. I threw down a 4x4 in my yard, set the level on it, and within a minute had the line leveled out down the length of the 30' ditch.

A big plus for me is that this unit operates on AAA batteries, which means replacing them or going to rechargeable is a whole lot cheaper than watch batteries.

Another big feature, though I didn't use it, is that this laser level will attach to a standard camera tripod. How convenient is that?

As a final thought, you know how when you start using a new tool you always think to yourself, "if this tool had _____, it would be better"? Well, the only thing I've come up with after using this tool is that I wish the carrying case had a Velcro strap to hold the base plate. That's it. That's all I could come up with. There is no way that I can see to make this laser level better.

The laser is brighter and smaller than the similiar Dewalt I had. The on/off switch is improved also. I had three dewalt lasers that were all exchanged until i gave up because of faulty switches. Other coworkers complained of the same problem with them. Don't use cheap batteries or the switch on these wont work either. If the positve tip of the battery sticks out too far the laser wont turn off. You can either tap the battery tip down or just toss the batteries it comes with and use some good ones. I almost returned this until I fixed the battery problem. Now the switch works great. You would think they would try the batteries they send first.These are invaluable for pipe fabrication.

Good tool, solid built, extremely useful in construction. It all works, except some points in final finish that make this tool a bit of the caveman prototype. Lasers are top notch, and finish is outstanding, however two of the level indicators are embedded with epoxy resin instead of fine treaded tension mounts. It does not affect tools performance, but if I pay close to 100 bucks for basic tool from major manufacturer, I expect precision, not snot of epoxy inside machined aluminum. It almost looks like Bosch bean counters made a decision to release prototype betting that an average Joe is too stupid or too blind to tell the difference between threaded mount and epoxy snot. I think it is disgrace to do this to a consumer, no matter how much it saved them with manufacturer in China. The switch is also not well made - you will have to remove batteries before storing, and if not, there is 50/50 chance it will slip and turn itself on and drain batteries because it does not have indentation machined inside. O-ring seal on that switch is also a treat - it does nothing, just looks important. Bottom line - the tool appears designed by a genius, then altered and manufactured by an idiot. I can only hope for GPL3T Mark II very soon. I did not pay Amazon price for it so I will keep it as it is great tool, but if I were to cough out asking price, it would be on its way back right now.

Great product--great price. I originally saw this item at Lowes, with a sale price of $99. Shopped around online and found it at Amazon for almost $30 less than the price at Lowes. It's a nice tool, and the machining and accuracy is great. It allows me to perform leveling tasks that formerly took two people or a lot of time fiddling with a string level. One suggested improvement would be to alter the case to hold the supplemental leveling baseplate. Because it won't fit in the case, it's likely to get separated from the tool and lost or left behind. Otherwise, I have no complaints about this tool.

What I like about this laser level is that it is a durable product. Reminds me of precision German engineering. For example the battery screw-in cover has a rubber o-ring to keep it water resistant, and the metal is rather heavy and solid, so they didn't go cheap on the materials during manufacturing. I used this right now to check the alignment of a fence along the property line. The beam is nice and bright for residential home distances.

Purchased for my husband. He says it works better then the Dewalt one he had previously.

The laser arrived defective right out of the box. The cam action on-off switch turned the laser on but would not turn off. The only way to turn the laser off is to remove the batteries. I am returning the product for a refund.

This torpedo is not well thought out. The magnets are placed on a flat surface and the v-block side doesn't let a fitter use the laser for checking elbow alignment.