Getting a perfectly level starting surface is very important for many applications and flooring, so determining the levelness is of course essential. Unfortunately until now there has not been a really easy, inexpensive way to do that so conflicts can arise between installers about if a surface is actually level “enough”. The Bosch self-leveling Surface Laser GSL2 ($549, Ohio Power Tool) is the first laser to actually scan an entire surface and easily show where the uneven spots are.
In use this laser is very easy to operate with only one button (on/off) on the base unit and a very simple remote control that controls the rotation of the unit. The unit also has a calibration knob that either raises or lowers the unit to line up the 2 lasers. From there you just walk behind the laser line and mark any uneven spots. The laser is only useful about 20’-30’ out depending on the lighting and floor surface color/condition/reflectiveness. This means will need to check levelness in 40’-60’ circles which could be a very daunting task depending on the size of the area.
The red glasses (included) are very helpful in seeing the line. While the picture here does not do it justice, you can somewhat see the line in the glasses is much more noticeable. These are very handy for any line or rotary laser where you actually need to see the line, although they can get annoying to wear for long periods of time.
If you think perfectly level warehouse floors are not that big a deal check out the above video on Zappos and their hundreds of robot item pickers and tell us this is not the future of all warehousing. We could easily see millions of square feet of warehouse space converted to this type of system and these robots need perfectly level smooth surfaces to operate.
The unit comes with the new L-Boxx3 Click & Go storage box which we will start to see more of the new Bosch tools come standard with this system. The early adoption of these types of systems in the US has not been great but in Europe all tools pretty much come like this. Our though is once folks get a few tools with these cases we will start to see them become much more popular because they are so handy.
Finally we of course need to point out the resemblance to the robot Johnny 5 from the 80’s movie Short Circuit. I wonder if the GSL2 were to be struck by lightning if it would also develop a personality and become convinced it was alive.
For more information on any Bosch Lasers or their CST/berger exterior laser levels give the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 a call. These guys know their lasers!
