LASERS

 

Internal or External, that is the question.

Laser specifications are pretty straightforward but what may not be straightforward is what is the best type for your application. This is often made more difficult when you need a laser that is multi-functional for Internal and External work. Then we may need slope and vertical capabilities to go with it. One point that must be made clear from the outset is that all lasers theoretically can be used for all internal or external jobs. What limits a laser's capability is if it is a visible beam or infrared (invisible beam) by the fact that you must have a detector for an invisible laser. In the case of a visible beam they are not visibly powerful enough for outside work, but can still be detected by the use of a Detector (Receiver). There are a few lasers that have a visible beam for external use but are extremely limited in range and are generally used for spot marking and never a rotating horizontal beam. So, when a manufacturer states a laser is for use Internally it can also be used externally and the same goes for an External laser for use internally. Internal lasers never include a detector, only external lasers do.

 

"Danger Danger Danger"

There is a good reason why manufacturers place warning stickers on lasers. Especially Class III Lasers. No laser is safe to the eye and looking into the beam is potentially catastrophic to the point permanent damage will result. If a laser has no warning sticker then don't ever assume it is safe. Set up the machine at a height that is not at eye level if possible to minimise any accidental eye contact with the beam. Pipe Laying lasers are all Class III and within Australia you are required to have warning signs for these units clearly displayed for people within its vicinity. There are also some high-powered Lasers and Total Stations with Lasers that must have warning signs put in place.

 

Liquid Compensator Versus Hung Wire Compensator Versus Direct Drive

There is one manufacturer who promotes a Liquid Compensator as a better system compared to the Wire Hung Compensators. Because we sell all brands of lasers it would be fair to say that each system have their advantages and disadvantages. What can be said is that you get what you pay for and if you have watched the market, prices have dropped dramatically over the years making such systems available to anyone for any budget. We have seen lasers (rarely) on the market for as little as USD$400 but pretty much all of the reputable Shops will not sell these units because of their sub-standard quality. We are willing to sell any laser available on the market, however, expect to be told such cheap and poor quality lasers are not repairable. In other words if it breaks throw it away. The brands we have listed are reputable and repairable. If at any stage we promote a laser that is not repairable we will state it as such.

 

Automatic or Manual

Manual lasers are the cheapest for the sole reason they are of simple mechanical design. However, people are always in search of getting the best laser for the cheapest price. Manual Lasers are okay if you do not mind taking the risks associated with that. What happens if there is a strong wind or heavy machinery within the vicinity of the laser? Or if someone accidentally knocked it and then pretends as if nothing has happened? Guaranteed if you are not double-checking your work and rechecking the laser itself, you will pay dearly in mistakes for it. It doesn't take much to put a manual laser out of horizontal and the amount of time you spend rechecking your work would be saved by having an Automatic laser level. For an extra few hundred dollars it is the best investment you will have ever made by going automatic.

 

Accuracy

An issue you may have is which laser gives me the accuracy I need? A lot of the time it depends on the distances you are from the laser and then the application. The further away yougo the greater the error. Generally there are 2 accuracies you can expect from a laser and often the high accurate units are in the vicinity of 2 -3 mm over 30m whilst low accuracy units are 5-6mm over 30m. What you have to take into consideration with these stated accuracies are that they are for ideal conditions and not practical conditions. Wind, vibration, or an unsteady hand holding the detector are major factors that can easily double the margin of error .

 

Battery Life

The range of battery life of these machines vary quite noticeably. If we compare alkaline to alkaline and Ni-cad to Ni-Cad run machines we also have to compare what battery size and quantity. When we buy battery powered products this is always overlooked as we tend to just want to know how long before the item stops. Alkaline batteries are not cheap and never ever buy "Heavy Duty" batteries because they can't handle the power requirements. Only buy Alkaline or Ni-Cad batteries. Most new units have 40+ hours up to 140 hours. Some people have avoided the problem of battery life by using a 6v solar panel hooked up to the external power jack. This may appear to be an expensive outlay but when you consider how much it costs for batteries, you will see it is worth the initial outlay.

 

Gimmicks

Auto shut off, Detectors with dual screens, laser plumb, shuttle capabilities, zone scanning, security password, variable speed you name it there is something to make things appear of benefit. But are they necessary and are they more of a hassle rather than a benefit? Auto shut off is often an issue as many operators prefer the unit to continue longer than 30 minutes. However, there is no question it is a great way of saving battery life as batteries are an expensive consumable. Dual displays on a detector is a certain must and I don't think there is a manufacturer that continues to manufacture one display detector. Shuttle or scanning facilities are very useful but add to the cost of the unit. For internal work shuttle is extremely useful if you don't have proper goggles or that it is too bright to see a rotating beam. Laser plumb is a cleaver idea especially in windy conditions where the standard plumbob just wants to swing. All of these additional capabilities are something to consider once you have established what you need as a basic system and then go from there.

 

Warranties

Some of the brands we sell have unusual warranties. Proshot provide a 3 year warranty whilst Topcon provide a 12 month Bullet proof warranty on some of its lasers and Spectra Precision provide a 2 year use and abuse warranty, again on some of their lasers. What you have to ensure is what do these unusual warranties really provide. But any warranty over and above the standard 12 months manufacturing fault warranty is certainly a benifit.