Johnson Level & Tool 40-0918 Rotary Man Laser Level,

I've wanted a rotary level for a while, but never wanted to spend hundreds of dollars, and this was the least expensive combo I could find. The level works great - just as I expected it to. I really don't understand why someone would give it a mediocre or poor rating because it is not visible in bright light. I have used some very expensive rotary laser levels and you can't see any of them in bright light and must use a rotary laser detector. I purchased the Bosch LM30 detector since it was the cheapest one I could find at the time and the combination works great.My rating is based on how well the laser works, not how heavy duty it is. The case, tripod and level are all small, light weight, and probably light duty, but I figured if UPS could get it to me and it still work, then with reasonable care it should last a long time. Before use, I think it would be prudent to check the calibration using the near/far wall method described in the manual. Get the horizontal vial level bubbles as centered as possible when checking/setting the calibration on the vials.I am a little confused about the practical application of the beam that projects from the top of the rotor since it only projects a dot, but I don't really care about that so I haven't dug in on learning about it. It does allow you to project two simultaneous beams (dots) that are perpendicular, but only one beam can appear as a line (under rotation). When used without a detector (in low light) turn the rotor relatively slow and that helps the line visibility.Overall I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to my non contractor friends, but I would encourage them to buy a detector for practical ease of use, particularly outside use.

This product should be taken off of Amazon. It does not function as advertised and unless you are accustomed to working in the dark,this level won't be visible over more than about 5'. I was so very disappointed in this level and had purchased another less expensive brand that was still better, but just as useless. This and it's counter part by Alton, should be black-balled from Amazon until the vendors either correct the description to reflect the truth about brightness of the lasers or the price point should be around $10.00, (just not worth more than that.) The tripod is a better tool than the level itself. My fourth product purchase in this line of tools, finally worked and very well. Don't waste time or money on this one or the Alton, (which I will also review.) Consider the Hammerhead HLCL 360, it is worth every penny, you'll see why, in my review of their product, shortly, (I'm in love with it!) DJC

This is for sure the best laser system for an affordable price. I have used it twice since I purchased it and it works great. The quality is light weight so It probably wouldn't hold up to heavy construction use but for the weekend remodeler it's just the ticket. Go ahead and buy it, you won't be disappointed.

For the price I paid I am very happy with this product. If I paid more for this product it would be a 3 star because the laser is sooo dim. We are currently remodeling our house and are taking out lath and plaster and needed a laser to help make the walls and ceiling level. It was very easy to set up and has really sped up the process of leveling but the laser is very dim. We have had hard times seeing it on bright days with the sunlight shining in the windows. You would never be able to use this outside in the sunlight. But we make due because we usually work in the evening after work. If we know we are going to be working weekend days then we can either cover the windows or set the laser up the night before and mark the studs with a marker to see it in the day, this actually seems to be the easiest for us.

Like other reviews, the laser is not too bright. Would work really well inside. Outside, it must be shady or dark for the laser to be visible. I just needed it for a deck that wraps around my house. I used it in the early morning before the sun hit that side of the house and it worked fine. Note that the tri-pod is great and has many other uses, like camera's, etc. Didn't cost too much, no complaints.

I have been in construction for 30 years. I have seen the advent of the commercial laser on job sites many years pass. They have gotten smaller, lighter and as hard as it may seem more accurate. Johnson has taken all this technology and made it cheap. Not cheap bad, cheap good! It is just hard to imagine that Johnson could make a small homeowner tool that is this easy to use and this accurate. Saves time and money on the old guy at home and not on the job. By the way, when you get to those ceiling areas and you want to set your laser for a line above the reach of the tripod, The offset for the screw in the wall to hold the laser is 3/4" before your elevation for a right on line every time.

The red goggles help find the red dot but even with those on its very hard with any kind of sunlight. works ok inside. low cost is a plus

What it isn't: Contractor Grade--going job to job, getting beat up in back of truck and taking all the abuse. But it isn't that price point either.What it is: great for the occasional home owner and cheap. I used mine to level out where I will be putting up a seasonal pool after I wasn't happy with how out of level it was last year. It is only rated for indoor, but that is because it doesn't come with a laser detector for outside. I did most of the leveling in the evening after work and with the glasses help I was able to see the line enough to do what I needed to do. I put the laser in the middle of the pool, so the beam was only going 10 feet or so. Still, cheaper than renting one for $40 a day!

The media could not be loaded.  The laser doesn't work. The head is supposed to spin 360. The switch is to turn it on & off and to control the speed as well. But when I turn it on nothing moves. Only the lights are on.

Yes this is nice tool Like it

Can't see the laser more then 5 feet in anything other then darkness. Basically useless in sunlight.

everything i expected