Which Pro rotating laser level?

[Paul Greathouse]

Another fellow started a thread, looking for a lower priced rotating laser level. I didn't want to hijack his thread so I'm starting this one.

Which rotating laser level do those of you that do trim for a living use and roughly how much did it cost? I'll be doing cabinets, and general indoor trim of all types.

[Wayne Cannon]

I've been very happy with the "Robo Laser (http://www.amazon.com/C-R-LAURENCE-R0B01-Self-Leveling-Rotating/dp/B001Q5GRVY)" and "LaserJamb LJ3-Pro (http://contractorstools.com/laserjamb.html)" pole system. Mine are five to ten years old.

My personal preferences for key features in whatever brand you find:


Small, bright, laser spot with remode-controlled rotation (as opposed to a continuously-spinning laser -- for brightness)
Free-standing bottom-only support (e.g., LaserJamb "SoloMount" on a weighted 5-gal bucket)
Solid, non-swaying, support at any height outdoors in a breeze from one or two feet to at least eight-to-ten feet

The self-leveling "Robo Laser (http://www.amazon.com/C-R-LAURENCE-R0B01-Self-Leveling-Rotating/dp/B001Q5GRVY)" generates a small red laser spot with a remote radio-frequency control to rotate the laser at one of three speeds (as opposed to a spinning laser that gives you a continuous. albeit dimmer, line). Since it's not spinning, the spot is very bright -- enough to see outdoors without red goggles on a sunny day 20'-30' from the laser, and almost too bright against a white indoor wall from 10'-15'.
I've never used a continuously spinning laser, but after talking with friends that have used them, think I would still prefer the spot laser with remote controlled rotation for brightness I can easily see at a shallow angle from a distance on a bright day, e.g., to see one end while on a ladder at the other end where a long piece of trim, molding, or panel will go.
I mount the LaserJamb (http://www.laserjamb.com/prod_lj3pro.asp) pole via their "Solo Mount (http://www.laserjamb.com/prod_access.asp)" bracket on a weighted five-gallon bucket more than any other method, e.g., for use on a deck, on the ground, or under a high cathedral ceiling. For my purposes, there isn't sufficient benefit to the LJ3-Pro (http://contractorstools.com/laserjamb.html) to justify its cost over their simpler and less expensive LJ1 (http://contractorstools.com/laserjamb.html), LJB (http://contractorstools.com/laserjamb.html), or their LaserMount (http://www.laserjamb.com/prod_lasermount.asp) on a "3rd Hand (http://www.tools-plus.com/fast-cap-3rdhand.html)" pole (LaserMount+3rd-Hand doesn't free-stand like the SoloMount+LaserJamb).