Stabila 37816 48-Inch and 16-Inch Aluminum Box Beam Level Set, Yellow

Stabila levels are terrific They are well constructed and ACCURATE! Yes, they are expensive. But what really good tool isn't? I've been working in construction for 30+ years, and have been through my share of levels. Won't name the brands here, but they are mostly those we all see in the hardware and big box stores. And yes, most of these are OK. But that's it, just OK. However, some of these are simply unacceptable. The horizontal vial in my 42-inch level became loose and therefore inaccurate. So, I shopped at the big retailers. In one store I looked at six different 48-inch levels from well-recognized manufacturers. These weren't the cheapie plastic ones, but aluminum box frames selling for around $40 - $55. Every one of the these six levels gave a different indication when placed on the same display shelf in the store. Even after using some thin cardboard to 'level' a test location, I still couldn't get two levels to read the same. Swinging each level 180 degrees easily showed their inaccuracies. Some weren't as bad as others, but none were what I'd call really accurate. This is why I decided to invest the money in Stabila. I am very pleased that I did. These tools really are the most accurate levels I've ever owned. Another point where the Stabila levels really are better is their solid construction. The rugged vials are mounted to the box frame exceptionally well. You can see simply by examining the construction of these tools that they are very high quality. Guess that's why Stabila has such a fine guarantee. Of course, as solidly as these are built, it's unlikely that they have to exchange very many 'defective' levels. And finally, I have waited about a year before writing this review. I wanted to use these levels a lot before writing my review. Although these levels aren't as 'pretty' as they were a year ago, they ARE still as accurate. If you want a fine tool, Stabila levels will do very nicely.

Used these levels for a kitchen remodel. They are extremely sensitive and very happy with performance. I used these in combination with an 8 foot 1x4 aluminum screed bar and water level. I checked the levels accuracy against the water level and both levels were flawless. Highly recommend these levels and could not have done the job without them. Note the end caps are removable to get up close to a wall etc. If you want to use a water level, 1/2" vinyl tube is all you need with a couple of long twist ties on the ends to hang it, masking tape works well to hold water level to the wall as you position it. Putting a cap on the ends helps to prevent spills when moving water level. Water is always 100% accurate especially useful over long distances like one wall to another.

I've been in construction for 25 years and the one fact that I have come to know that German tools are second to none my stabila, knipex, whia, and hilti tools are the best hands down and I would recommend any of these companies tools to anyone that needs a quality tool yes I own many other tools Makita, Milwaukee,Dewalt, Bosch and many more that are great and I know a few of these are German and Japanese brands that are built well and i love a quality tool and with all that being said stabila levels are second to none when being accurate is important so I think it's worth the money but there are other levels out there that are more cost effective and they work so you choose whats best for you and the application you are using them in the first place and decide

as a professional carpenter all I can say is amazing levels they are pin point accurate, light weight easy to read. And easy to find in the dirt. I threw the last part in because I was using a brown wooden level for years and it would blend in with dirt or material, and that can be frustrating when you can't find your tools you just set down. This one is obviously bright yellow so to my relief i can set it down and still find it when I need it. These levels are expensive for a reason they're professional grade, and very well made. Point being that they may not be what a DIYer would need. For everyone else in the building trades a must have in my opinion.

Very good The best in the business

These are great levels. I mostly wanted the 48" but it came with the 16". I have used the levels to make built-in shelves in closets. I have found the 16" to be very useful. The machined edge allows lines to be accurately drawn on the wall. The removable caps are a nice feature for getting tight to corners. I also like having the vial visable from the from the front and the top. I gutted and remodeled a house a few years ago. I wish I had the insight to buy quality levels at the beginning. I have bought mid-line levels only to find that the vials move over time. Dealing with all the inaccuracies/warping/twisting etc. of lumber and existing homes is difficult alone. Accounting for a level that is not true greatly adds to the complexity and the frustration. The tool should always be more accurate than the person's abilities. I encourgage novice builders to bite the bullet and make an investment for life by buying quality tools at the onset.

Straight. Light. Bright. Clear reading. All the good stuff.

The box beam construction is strong. Consequently, it’s more durable and retains accuracy better than most other types of levels. The color of the vial fluid together with the vial design make reading the vial easy-from above, below, and the sides. The handholds are comfortable and very convenient for both carrying and measuring. The end caps are removable for flush measuring. After over 10 years, I am still very satisfied with the performance of these levels. The only problem for me is that the marks on the vials don’t line up with the edges of the bubble when the tool is level. In other words, when the tool is level, there is a small space between the bubble and the vial marks. Also, the vial lines extend all around the vials such that two lines are often visible (one on the upper portion of the vial and one on the lower portion of the vial when viewed from above). Bubble edges in another level that I own are just adjacent to the vial marks when level.This design can make reading and adjustment of a level a little easier. Note: A comment to this review provides a Stabila website statement that claims that the space between the bubble and the vial marks is important to allow the user to judge whether the bubble is centered. The statement also claims that if the bubble were just adjacent to the vial marks, then as the bubble expands due to temperature variations, it would no longer fit between the vial marks causing a loss in accuracy. I would say that it is self-evident that the Stabila design causes more error than that without spaces between the bubble and the vial marks because the user needn’t make the judgement regarding the relative size of the spaces between the bubble and the vial marks. I also don’t see how anyone could find it easier to determine if the bubble is properly located as designed. The latter determination is not particularly difficult in ideal circumstances, but there are many circumstances in which levels are used that are not particularly ideal. Furthermore, the bubble does not expand or contract significantly with changes in temperature because the vial is sealed and therefore at constant volume.