Bosch GCL 2-15 review

Roger Bisby looks at the latest Green Beam laser from Bosch.

It seems that manufacturers spent years getting people to buy red beam laser levels and no sooner had everyone got one than they introduced green beam lasers, brighter clearer, four times the visibility and ten times the price. The price has started to drop  to the point where jobbing builders, plumbers and electricians are giving them serious consideration the question is  ‘should you put your red beam laser on eBay and embrace green beam?’

The price has started to drop  to the point where jobbing builders, plumbers and electricians are giving them serious consideration the question is  ‘should you put your red beam laser on eBay and embrace green beam?’

The  Bosch GCL 2-15 Professional has lots to offer. This is a compact self levelling cross hair laser with the usual functions of vertical and horizontal lines as well as a plumb spot in red for the ceiling and floor. You can lock the horizontal and vertical line to establish a gradient or a pitch. This is perfect for setting out rafters because you can be sure they are all absolutely in line without having to run a string across them. The same goes for setting out a patio. You will of course need a start and finish point as there is no display to tell you the angle you are at.

This is not a rotating laser but it does come with a nice little rotating stand so you can work your way around a kitchen, for example, to establish a datum around the room. There is also a nice little rack and pinion bracket which gives you fine adjustment on the magnetic back. Also in the box is a soft case for holding the laser on your belt and a target.

The sequential switch will turn the laser off without locking the gimble or pendulum which I don’t like because it is all too easy to put the laser in the case with the pendulum still active. If you are aware of this then you may remember to check that the slide is in the locked position but I can’t understand why they have moved away from the idea of the locking switch turning off the power.

That small niggle aside this is a well thought out instrument, I particularly like the side access panel for the batteries because you can change the batteries without having to remove the level from the tripod.

Having a good strong case to store and carry your laser is very welcome but it surprised me to find that this is not an ‘ I’ case for stacking with your other Bosch tools.

Safety footnote
There are  rules governing the use of lasers on building sites but in my experience they are hardly ever followed.  You should put up warning notices and you should set the laser above or below eye level to avoid people staring into the beam accidentally.  Class 2 lasers are considered safe for site use only because the natural reaction is to close your eyes or look away if the beam catches you. So it follows that nobody should ever stare into the beam, it is as damaging as staring into the mid-day sun.