See a person with a laser level or a measuring wheel, he, or she must be an appraiser, engineer, or an architect. And, for contractors, realtors and surveyors, their profession revolves around the accuracy and the ease of use of these tools. It is said that civil engineering starts with measuring wheels and goes on to takes final shape with the laser level. Surprisingly, latest arrivals are priced lesser, though more accurate and comfortable; here is a brief roundup.

Higher Levels:
Laser levels are preferred because they look around the corners, measure longer distances; and provide far better accuracy than the bubble level. High-rise buildings, bridges, and large infrastructural projects require far higher level of accuracy than before. Hands-free operation and recording the measurements help to complete a job with lesser people and save costs.

The type of laser level you need obviously depends on the type of job. For making cabinets, shelves, putting up wallpaper, or tiling floors a simpler devise costing around $50 would do the trick. These models usually have rotating head swivels and assist in setting point, horizontal or vertical lines. Choose a level that comes with a crosscheck vial so that you can set more accurate leveling.

For outdoor work, select only laser levels with built-in laser receivers, particularly for excavation, concrete pours, foundation, and factory canopy work and so on. These levels work with infrared beams to circumvent the effect of daylight on the usual visible rotating beam. The outdoor laser levels will have electronic self-leveling that uses gears instead of a pendulum to find the level; and offer accuracy up to 1/16"/100 ft and give you a working range as long as 2000!

Price can be a little stiff at around $2,400 in a regular store; but check a good online store, you may be able to get hold of a quality outdoor laser level for $1600. Online stores offer similar useful laser levels at attractive price-offs for indoors and small jobs.

The Accurate Wheel:
When buying a measuring wheel, try to get hold of one that has at least 5-digit counter, so that you can measure up to 10,000 without resetting. Traffic planners and outdoor contractors and sports administrators who need to mark off lengths as they measure, will find measuring wheels that come with built-in markers these make it so handy to post markings on the surface.

For typical indoor use, a lighter and simpler one should serve the purpose. Provided with a telescopic handle, you can use the wheel without bending. For outdoor and long run, sturdier measuring wheels work on bearings and provide better accuracy.

Prices for measuring wheels range from $33 to $160, varying with the sophistication.