Customer Reviews

PLS Laser PLS-60521 PLS180 Laser Level Tool, Yellow

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this tool to install a series of cabinets and provide an easily reproducible plumb line in a kitchen which has no right angle walls and also curved walls. This tool made life much easier on this oddly shaped room and measurements and setup were a snap. I attached this tool to a vertical (adjustable) pole in the middle of the room and away I went, lines set and done in 10 min rather than 2 hours. I came back multiple times aligning in other configurations and they snaped back to the same points each time plus or minus a sixteenth of an inch. I am very happy with this tool and do not regret the price paid.

This is a great little laser that has seen more use than I even thought it would. I bought it for a hotel sign hanging project where measuring up the wall or fumbling with a jig just wasn't practical for scale of the project. So I clamped a piece of angle steel to my cart, and attached the included magnetic bracket, set my height and it didn't budge for the whole project.

I just this week used it to layout for a kitchen install. Set my wall and base height lines. It was also very handy for a tile backsplash in a kitchen recently.

I did consider a rotary type because I wasn't sure if this went greater than 180 degrees (a feature I needed for the sign job). It goes 3 degrees or so "backward". This is something that would have been nice to know but I took a chance and it paid off.

I only give it 4 stars because

1.for the price I thought it might come with a drywall mount or a grid clamp for drop ceilings (see Dewalt). Not a deal-breaker (I'll figure something out). It does have the magnetic bracket.

2. The case included ended up collecting dust in my shop. A nice idea but for me a waste of space and unnecessary. Lose the case and... (see above note)

Overall, I would choose this product again and, after much research, would recommend it over anything else out there.

i've been holding out from buying a laser level hoping for something like this. i've used the PLS5 and PLS3 and like them but the annoying thing was always moving the little point of a laser to where you need it. I use laser levels mostly to level ceilings and floors in my remodeling job. now this chore has gone from a two to a one person job as i don't have to have anyone manning the level to move the one point around.

love it!!

(Edit 12/7/11): I want to mention that my one criticism of the PLS180 was the absence of plumb points. That's been addressed by the Pacific Laser Systems PLS4. Definitely consider the PLS4 over this PLS180. Despite the price difference, there are many situations where plumb points are really handy. BTW, my PLS180 is still holding up great!)

I'm working upstairs reframing cracked walls while our foundation contractor is finishing up work downstairs. I've been watching them work with the PLS5 and saw the obvious utility in a laser level. The PLS180 is a big improvement to the PLS5, in most respects.

First project with the PLS180 was framing up a load-bearing wall with a 3x10 header. The 180 projects a vertical line from floor plate to ceiling, so not only is it obvious & foolproof where to measure, you can also instantly see if studs are bowed after banging them into place. It takes most of the guesswork out of blocking.

The header install was a snap. With the PLS sitting on top of a ladder, we projected a line across our new framing, and measured from the laser line to the top of the supporting (short) stud. We then marked and measured the same distance on the opposing stud, and cut to a perfect length. The header couldn't have been any more level.

Upcoming projects: Projecting a line across joists for drilling alignment for easy Romex pulls, build-in-place kitchen counter-top leveling, vinyl & tile floor installations, and a couple of replacement interior doors.

Only "minus" compared to the PLS5 is the 180 can't draw a perfect plumb point. The PLS5 will project perfectly aligned plumb spots above and below the nose of the unit. The 180, since it projects a line, will let you know you're plumb in one direction only. It's easy enough to pick a spot (either on the floor on overhead), then shoot at it from two different directions (90° opposed) and where the lines intersect marks either directly above or directly below. So for brand new layouts, this may be an extra complication.

Just for fun, our dog, who loves chasing laser spots on the carpet, is totally overwhelmed by the beam projected by this device. He simply cowers when I turn it on.

[Added 12/10] I'm still regularly enjoying / using this PLS180 laser but decided there are times when a second laser would be helpful, and also wanted a plumb function (to project a point directly above + directly below). First I tried a 5-way Bosch GPL5 which I didn't like so much because it only projected points, not lines. Then I stumbled across the AGATEC CPL50, written up on the Journal of Light Construction website. It's significantly cheaper than the PLS, though is not quite as capable, but does feature a plumb function. It's turned out to be a great companion to the PLS180. The AGATEC is sold here on Amazon and I'd recommend checking it out if you can accept some of its shortcomings. I posted a review drawing some comparisons between the two units.

The good:
1. What you see is what you get, so it's easy to use with basically 1 button.
2. The horizontal beam seems to have stayed level, and the vertical beam stayed plumb (while it lasted).
3. It survived 2-3 drops from 10 ft. high or lower with no immediate problems.
4. Beam visibility is on par with other laser levels in this price range.

The bad:
1. There is no lock-off (to allow for easier off-level lines or to carry the unit without rattling).
2. The plumb/vertical beam stopped working after 2.5 years of fairly light use for no apparent reason (hadn't been dropped for at least several weeks).

The story:
I have owned this tool for 2.5 years. It is a no-frills laser level with the following settings: level (horizontal beam), plumb (vertical beam), and both beams together (crossing at a 90 degree angle in front of the unit). The PLS 180 self-levels using an internal weight, but the weight cannot be locked off. It will rattle as you carry it, and it is not easy to use the PLS 180 for diagonal lines (e.g., for lines for low-slope roof beams).

The PLS 180 is usable for outside work, even if the beam is not visible, by purchasing a separate detector and using the "pulse" option with each of those settings. I now have the separate detector but I have not used the PLS 180 with it. Even so, I have used the PLS 180 outside. As you might expect, the beam becomes more visible the closer it is to the surface it is projecting onto and the less direct sunlight there is.

I have subjected my PLS-180 to fairly light use. I only began using it in earnest during the last 1.5 years, during which I used it daily to set lines for framing. I was the only one using it and I did not lend it to subs or employees. It would spend about 3-4 hours a day, maybe 3 days a week, clamped to a stud or sitting on the floor sending lines where I needed it.

It has been dropped maybe 2-3 times at the most, and survived the drops. Despite such light use, in the last month, both lasers gave out completely. A light tap brought the horizontal beam back, but the vertical beam will not work. I might have dropped the unit sometime in its 2.5 year life, but not within weeks of the day I lost the vertical beam. The warranty period is only one year, so this failure is not covered by warranty.

The PLS 180 worked as expected as long as it remained fully functional. I give it only 3 stars because (1) there are other laser levels out now that provide greater functionality for an equal price, (2) it stopped working for no apparent reason after only light use. For the construction-grade price and marketing, I expected a more durable laser.

I will update my review when I determine whether PLS can repair my PLS-180 for a reasonable cost.

Positive: A very good, compact device which works perfectly indoors giving beautifully clear level and plumb lines over 180 degrees. Can be rotated on a tripod without losing level for a complete 360 degree scan as the beam is self-leveling.

Negative: The laser light is difficult to see outdoors in full sunlight beyond a few feet but works well outdoors in shade or at dusk. Purchase of the laser detector would be a good idea for outdoor work though I just used a white painted piece of sheet metal instead.

The on/off switch requires toggling through four settings from on to off (horizontal, horizontal and vertical, flashing horizontal and vertical, off) and the setting the device is on is not indicated. Outdoors, you have to look at the laser light to figure out which setting it's on. A simple power-on indicator with three other indicators for the setting would be a useful improvement. The best set-up would be a power on/off switch and a knob for the setting.

Summary: The device is simple, robust and makes leveling jobs a delight. It's a big time saver and convenient. The complaints are minor.

This really is a quality layout tool that deserves to be in your tool kit. The self-leveling mechanism is accurate and reliable and the unit is amazingly tough- I've dropped it a few times now with no loss of utility or accuracy. The beam is very bright and easy to see. The support that comes with it is great, using rare earth magnets that will hold it fast, especially useful because you can just stick it on any corner of a wall that has corner bead. It's even stuck to a drywall nail in the wall with the magnets. It gives a true 180 spread with both level and plumb and I've never had an application where the distance was too long not to see the beam on the other side. It comes with a neat little nylon padded case that can be worn on a belt and its small size makes it very practical. I've used it all day with one set of batteries. This is a very well made tool- I have found it essential for professional use and its value is tough to beat.

Great tool. Works exactly as specified, easy to use, very accurate, nice and compact, significantly reduced time when making accurate measurements in a large room. In bright light still usable, though a detector would make it easier, but this is not to be interpreted as a criticism. For the price, it is a great value and one would have to spend much more to get a laser that was easier to read in sunlight. Highly recommend this product.

Advantages: This is ALMOST perfect tool for construction work. Not only for residential but for commercial construction as well (8 years of exp. here).It gives u a plumb and level (which works as the laser pointer and a straight line between two points). U will not have to move it around loosing 1/8 of the level, since it gives u a 180 degrees horizontal level. Also u can place in by the wall and u will actually see a beam behind tis unit ( it's a little bit more than 180 degrees of plumb). It has a soft pouch with straps for carrying it on a belt (never used that feature,but pouch is good)l You will need 3 batteries AA for like 2_3 days of HEAVY usage. That's why always have two sets of rechargeable batteries (do yrself a favor and buy 2700 mAh).
DIsadvantages:
1) The leg support will loose its magnets, I would advise to put some cear tap over the magnets, they are so strong that u will rip them out little by little. Also the leg support give more stability if u fliup it ( just unscrew the holding bolt, take off the holding ring and place bolt back, but up side down. so the laser is not sitting on L shape, but actually sitting IN L-shape)
2) price. 300$ when u can buy dewalt for 185$. Think about it because u will have to exchange this unit in two years of heavy usage - There is no way to adjust PLS ( well, there is a way ,but u will not find it easy)

I bought the PLS180 to help me get a floating wood floor straight and square. I chose the PLS180 because of its represented accuracy and the fact that it lays a vertical 180-degree line. It works like a charm. Intuitive, easy to set up and very accurate.