Moving from a spirit level to a laser level brings vastly better UX, as you now have both hands free. But laser levels do introduce their own UX issues in that they need to be tripod-mounted. Depending on your jobsite, the tripod can get in the way, and you yourself can block the beam. You’re also limited by the maximum height your tripod can extend.
A company called Hozo Design makes this M-Cube 02, a laser level that can stick to the wall—securely, thanks to a battery-powered vacuum pump.
The design intelligently separates the level from the mount, which contains the pump. You stick the mount to the wall, then attach the level to it. You can then rotate the level, if you need an angle, for instance. A digital readout lets you dial it in.
The company says it will stick not only to metal, glass and tile, but porous surfaces like concrete, particle board, wood paneling and drywall. They also say it will stick to rough surfaces like plaster walls, brick and stone. They claim the adhesion time is 12 hours.
If the vacuum starts to lose suction, a built-in alarm will sound; or as the company puts it, “If it’s gonna fall, it’ll yell for help!” If it does fall, the company says it can withstand drops of 1.5m (just shy of 5′).
They’ve also worked out a way to use it as a measuring device, by pairing it with your phone and holding onto something that blocks the laser:
Lastly, the vacuum mount’s cushion is replaceable.
The M-Cube 02 has been successfully Kickstarted, with $210K in pledges at press time and 37 days left to pledge. It runs $200.
