When we re-sided an historic home here in Central Florida a few years back (and we’re getting ready to do so again) we needed a long-distance, powerful laser. We didn’t have one, but we needed it. When we visited the Bosch U.S. facilities for their press event this summer, we were pleased to see CST/berger introduce a new solution suitable for these smaller exterior leveling construction job sites. What we liked about the CST/berger LL20 360-degree Exterior Line Laser, aside from the fact that it reminded us a lot of half of a Bosch GLL3-80 360-Degree Line Laser, was its simplicity of use – well, that and it looked like it could take a fall down a flight of stairs and keep on working.
CST/berger LL20 360-degree Exterior Line Laser Features
The CST/berger LL20 360-degree Exterior Line Laser is fast (we got to play with it), self-leveling, and also easy to use. It’s, quite simply, a very compact, high power line laser. The laser can span a 360 degree arc up to 530 feet in diameter when operated with the innovative LD3 Laser Detector. That’s over a football field and a half and makes it perfect for small to mid-size exterior applications.
The tool is designed especially for contractors who work outdoors in the residential and light commercial construction leveling segments. It’s ideal for applications including bringing footers to level, leveling concrete floor forms, determining cut and fill values for excavation, leveling decks, determining irrigation flow for landscaping and checking the levels of existing structures and contract work. It self-levels and has a built-in warning feature (it flashes) when it needs to be repositioned.
About Cone Mirror Technology: Cone mirror laser technology enables the laser to function without the moving parts that are typically found in rotary lasers. Without the moving parts, products like the LL20 line laser have a more compact design and increased durability.
The LL20 really only has one button – so it’s super-easy to use. It also has both 1/4″-20 and 5/8″-11 mounts so you can place it atop a mic stand or a standard camera tripod. The LL20 Exterior Line Laser also offers 3/16-inch accuracy. If you use your equipment hard outdoors, as these are likely to be used, you’ve got some protection as the LL20 is water and dust protected with an IP55 rating – and, better yet, so is the LD3 laser detector.
If you do need to pull out the LD3 laser detector, you’ll note that it has a dual-sided LCD display so you can view measurements from either side.
The Bosch GLL3-80 360-Degree Line Laser operates on four AA batteries. While everyone is big on rechargeable Lithium-ion, we have to say, the use of AA batteries is something we like for these sort of tools that can’t afford to have to wait for a charge cycle before use. It’s also a USA-made product, which is pretty cool. The full kit includes the LL20 Exterior Laser, LD3 Laser Detector and bracket, six AA batteries, a hard carrying case and manual.
