A rotating laser measures accurately – but only when it is used correctly. Most of the “inaccuracies” that customers report to us are not a fault of the device, but of one of these eight things.
1. Obliquely held lats
A tilted staff shows a larger value than the actual value. With a long staff and a greater tilt, it is also a matter of centimeters. Hold the staff vertically - a small spirit level attached to the staff will help.
2. Moved tripod
Just interfere with your foot, wheelbarrow or batten and the plane is gone. Although the laser will stop and report an error (HI-alert) if there is a large shift, a small shift can pass. Place the tripod outside the work area and put your feet on the ground.
3. Measurement during self-leveling
After switching on or after a shock, the laser will level out for a few seconds. Only start measuring when the head has fully rotated and the indicator light stops flashing.
4. Forgotten incline mode
The laser is still set to the slope from the previous job – and you are leveling the floor. Always check what mode the laser is in before starting work, and for a digital model, look at the X and Y values on the display.
5. Receiver for different beam color
A receiver designed for a red beam will not reliably pick up a green laser (and vice versa). If the receiver does not “see” the beam, check that it is designed for the color of your laser.
6. Receiver coarse mode in final measurement
Coarse mode (± 2 mm) is for quick leveling. For final checking, switch to fine mode (± 1 mm) , otherwise the deviations will add up.
7. Receiver mounted at a different height
The receiver will move in the holder on the staff and all subsequent measurements will be shifted by the same amount. Always tighten the clamp securely and check the scale between measurements.
8. Laser miscalibrated after a fall
If the laser has fallen, don’t continue measuring “blindly.” Do a quick test between two walls – see our article on verifying accuracy for instructions. If the deviation is out of tolerance, the laser needs calibration.
Summary
| Error | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Inclined battens | spirit level on a staff |
| Moved tripod | tripod out of the way, feet stepped on |
| Measurement during alignment | wait for full rotation |
| Forgotten inclination | check the mode before work |
| Other receiver | receiver for beam color |
| Coarse mode | final measurement in fine mode |
| Shifted receiver | tighten the clamp, check the scale |
| Recalibration | test after every fall |
If you are not sure whether there is a fault in the device, call us - we will check the laser for you and calibrate it if necessary.