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This kit is really all you need to get started making things level, plus you get a nice custom fit padded bag to keep everything protected between jobs.
Click image to enlarge

Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots

Ultra precise points of reference for perfect installations and layouts

Text, photos and video by Tom Hintz

Posted - 2-7-2013

The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots (40-6639) Includes the Combination Laser Level itself, 4 "AA" alkaline batteries, Detector with 9V battery and clamp, wall mount bracket, mounting strap, instruction manual and a very nice fitted soft-sided carrying case that holds and protects all of the components.

 

The Basics

The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots (Model: 40-6639) sports a 360 degree continuous horizontal laser line with four laser dots all at 90 degrees to each other. The laser system has an accuracy of +/- 1/8"/50 ft. (+/-1mm/10m). The pendulum leveling system is capable of compensating up to +/-5 degrees. In addition to simplifying setup it also makes finding a suitable surface to set the unit on much easier. When the unit is at an angle that is out of range the Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots lets you know with audible and visual warnings. However, lock the pendulum leveling system (as it should be for transport to protect the mechanism) and the unit can be placed at virtually any angle necessary. That comes in very handy for jobs like gutters and drain pipes where an angle is necessary.

The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots includes a screw-on mount for the laser unit that gives you options for installing it. The L-shaped bracket has strong magnets on the side so you can stick the unit to a ferrous metal surface. That bracket also has screw slots to attach the unit to studs, posts or other wooden surfaces. Lastly the bracket has a loop for using the included strap to attach it to a post or stud. The unit has a center (bottom) bushing with 5/8" -11 threads for mounting it on an appropriate tripod.

The bracket (left) for the main unit gives you lots of mounting options. the electronic target (left) let you dial the job in when its too bright to see the laser.
Click images to enlarge

The Class llla laser has a wavelength of 635nm+/- 10nm (Red) and has a maximum power output of </= 5mw. With an interior range of up to 200 ft. (60m) diameter, depending of course on the ambient light conditions.

The laser unit is powered by 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (included) and has an expected battery life of about 10 hours of continuous use. In the real world, that means you want to carry extra batteries because these will last so long you will forget about them until they actually do run down!

The main unit measures 3.74" x 5.11" (95 x 130mm) and weighs just 1.869 lbs. (0.7 Kg). The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots is designed to work in temperatures of 14 to 113 degrees F (-10 to 45 degrees C).

Johnson also includes an electronic target that can “see” the laser when you can’t. The target comes with a screw on clamping bracket that makes it easy to put it where you need it. To use the target you have to put the laser unit into Pulse Mode by pushing the button on the control panel. The target has graphical indicators as well as audible warnings to let you know when you g4et close and hit the targets center.

 

In the Shop

All of the Johnson Lasers are easy to use and brighter than expected. I have yet to be in a situation, even under my photography lights where the laser lines were hard to see. That can be said about the Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots reviewed here. And if you do manage to get in a situation where the line is difficult to the included electronic target sees it for you. Put the unit in Pulse mode and the target watches for the laser and even tells you which way to move it once you get close.

The pendulum locking knob and top-mounted control panel (left) give you full control over this laser unit and its functions. This photo (right) was taken under three photographic lights and a pro flash and you can still see the laser line, actually better than in this photo!
Click images to enlarge

To add even more versatility Johnson added the four dots to this unit and they can save even more time and effort. The self-leveling line is great and lets you establish a dead-on accurate line all the way around even very large rooms or spaces. But the added dots on that line, located every 90-degrees can make many layout tasks easier and much faster than with the line alone. Remember that you can turn the Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots and it will remain perfectly level so you can move those dots to where you need them. Plus, because of the 90-degree spacing you can move important points around the space, also with dead-on accuracy. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination and on-site needs. As is often the case, the Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots is capable of all the things we need plus many we have not thought of or encountered yet.

 

Conclusions

If you are like me, we need the most help when it comes to installing our laying out projects in a room to get them aligned correctly. The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots is a huge help in that regard and lets us be far more accurate and faster than we would be without it. When I first started using Johnson Lasers I had brief feelings of cheating on the job. That passed quickly when I just accepted the technology and Johnson’s ability to design and build these units so that they are easy to use.

The Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots has a street price of about $519.00 (2-6-2013) so it is not the cheapest tool you will buy but it likely will be one of the most accurate along with a great value if your time and frustration are important. The satisfaction of getting things properly installed and actually level is worth something as well. If you do not have a quality laser unit yet, the Johnson Self-Leveling 360 Degree Line Laser with 4 Horizontal Dots deserves a hard look.

 

Video Tour

 

Visit the Johnson Level page - Click Here

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