Customer Reviews

Pacific Laser Systems PLS5 1/8-Inch at 100-feet Self-Leveling 5-Point Laser

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being in the custom home remodeling business I'm always demonstrating to clients how out of square or plumb their existing structure is. When it comes time to re-working the project I had to wrestle with a plumb bob or spend time squaring up. I've looked at the three other shooting type laser tools and found that the PLS5 is the best value for the money. Even the accessories are well thought out 'cause they help me layout square using their pendulum target and the wall bracket lets me position the laser anywhere on the job. It saves me a ton of time and I do more with my PLS5 than my little rotary laser. I need the accuracy and I like the fact that the beams settle down very fast. Squaring is easy because you shoot 90 degree angles as soon as you turn it on. I tried the RoboVector but could not use it much past 30 feet. Beams got too big and I never knew when it was in self leveling range. Sent it back. PLS5 is more money but I learned a long time ago that you usually get what you pay for. Side by side comparisons rates a thumbs up from me for PLS

It is almost a great unit if only:
1) it had brighter beams for daylight use, such as setting square on a house foundation etc. Inside there is plenty of light.

2) the five beams were not offset. When squaring for a foundation layout one must allow for the 1" offset. If I set the laser's plumb-bob beam over a corner mark and point the front beam to my next point, the 90 degree point is going to be 1" off. I don't like this because this is one more thing I have to adjust for. When paying this kind of money I should not have to make adjustments for this.

The PLS5 could learn from a competitive product, the RoboVector, that doesn't have the 1" offset in its square. You get a true square, not just a 90 degree. I can set the plumb on a corner point, point to my next corner and see another corner that is in square with the first corner point. The RoboVector's beams are not as bright which hurts its use outside. The RoboVector is considerably less expensive.The PLS5 is more accurate and that meant a lot to me. See specs.

The PLS5 is a good unit, more accurate, expensive, and with some limitations. A new version (PLS5X) is supposedly better for outdoors. Check it out too. Probably worth the extra.

We build homes and small offices, and we bought a PLS-3. It gave us quicker readings on leveling foundations, and squaring up corners, than conventional leveling tools, strings, triangles, etc. It saved us time, money, readjustments, and it was accurate out to 100 feet.

We have now added a PLS-5, and are doing even more, squaring up walls, making measurements on ceilings without going up a ladder. We recently laid out an entire cathedral ceiling, doing all the measurements and angles while standing on the floor. Both units have paid for themselves in less than a month of use.

List price for the PLS5 is actually $495.00, NOT $999.95 as Amazon claims!

$378.94 is actually only 23.5% less than Pacific Laser Systems' MSRP of $495.00. Amazon has artificially raised the list price by 50.5% to make this look like a better deal than it is! It's still a decent price, but it's nothing like the savings they're reporting!

After looking for a laser level for the past year, I finally took the plunge and bought the PLS5. Out of the box, I was not disappointed. Simple, easy to set up; plumb, level and square. Have already used for a framing job and I going to use on a garden shed to square the foundation. Am not a professional, but this really helps. As someone says, if you can find a better one, buy it. For my money, this is perfect

I have been researching these for a couple weeks now. This is what I found out, the older model has a 1" offset which some people do not like myself included. There is a new model without the 1" offset were everything is in line. The problem is they did not change the model number. So you don't know which one you are buying! Other than that I recommend this laser for a five beam or the Spectra LP40 for a 4 beam laser... UPDATE the new model is called THE NEW PLS5!!! $299 at ACE TOOL...

I have used this instrument twice so far in setting hollow metal steel door frames. Since the PLS5 comes with a mounting bracket that contains magnets it was prefect for the job. Quick and easy to use, I checked it with my "known" stick level and found the PLS5 spot on. The time I have had it is short but so far I am very pleased. The only down side seems to be battery life after the first days use I had to replace what where new batteries. However the 108 degrees may have an effect. But so far so good.

The PLS 5 is the best layout tool available. It is simple to use and moron proof.

...and that's nearly all there is to say. My PLS 5 gets used nearly every day for work (as a General Contractor), and is the industry standard for other trades as well. I have tried to use cheaper, a.k.a. inferior lasers, and ended up going back to the old standby methods of hydro leveling and the plumb bob. Not a good use of time. The PLS 5 is a great unit. Buy one. Just don't pay more than $[...] or so, otherwise you're getting jerked around. Before I found mine at [...], the best price I could get locally was upwards of $[...]

Nice tool, pretty much does what they say. Bigger than I had wanted but still ok. Decent storage case. Also was able to hold the optional tri pod adapter. If it holds up over time I'll be satisfied.