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We compared two popular DeWalt 12V rechargeable green laser levels: the DW0825LG five spot + cross line (combo) laser and the DW089LG 3 x (360) line laser.
The combo laser lets you use the spots and lines together or separately. The 360 laser has no spots.
Laser Lines vs. Spots
The big difference between laser lines and spots is spots are greatly more visible outdoors and across distance.
Say, for example, you want to check the grade of a hill on a sunny day at 130′. With spots all you need is a measuring stick to capture the laser dot. With lines you need a laser detector.
In the pics above I’m standing below this grade rod, which is 130 feet from the DeWalt combo laser. I could easily read the spot that was 11′ 5-1/4” off the ground.
Granted, in some instances using a detector to locate a horizontal line is going to be easier than trying to find a tiny spot with a stick at 130 feet. The point is the five spot combo gives you the option to do either where the 360 does not.
Indoor Visibilty
Both laser’s lines are visible indoors to 100′ on walls and ceilings. Floor lines are less visible. If I’m laying out a floor I put a block or something on the floor to see line at any distance past 12′ or so. This is another area where the combo’s forward spot helps line things up.
It’s hard to see in the pic above but the 360 line is visible all the way around the room. The top, brighter, horizontal line is the combo laser and is visible only to about half way over this fireplace. So with the combo in bright light you can’t to see the horizontal line 180° left or right passed about 10′. Here again the highly visible spots can help.
Both Lasers Are…
Full Time 360
Another thing to consider is the 360 is full time 360. So you’re throwing lines all around all the time. That can be a little obnoxious on a jobsite. These are class 2 lasers that will fry your eyes if you look at the laser for more than a fraction of a second.
The Giant Case
You get a huge case with a ceiling bracket that, unless you install drop ceilings, you’ll never use. However, the case is a great place to store the laser detector and grade rod bracket. So all that stuff lives in the case in my garage, while the laser lives in an old camera bag inside my tool bag.
Bottom Line
In my opinion the DW0825LG five spot + cross line is the best laser DeWalt sells. If you want a 360° 12V laser the DW089LG is a good choice.
If you want to use your 20V batteries DeWalt now offers some interesting 20V versions of these, although they do look less compact.
DEWALT 12V 5 Spot and Cross Line Laser, Green (DW0825LG)
DEWALT 12V 360 Cross Line Laser, Green Cordless (DW089LG)
See them in action here:
