Sola1711001 High Precision Level with 2 60% Magnified Vials, 30-Inch,Grey/Black

I have a number of precision levels, some plain spirit levels, and some with electronics with digital displays and audio features. The electronic levels must be calibrated with a precise spirit level. There is as yet no way to avoid carefully reading a vial.While there has been a lot of innovation in the electronics, most levels have vials that are quite like the ones on levels that shipped before the headline of the New York Times read "MEN WALK ON MOON". This Sola magnified vial, to my depth-perception challenged eyes, is a definite improvement, even if some reviewers elsewhere who claim to use levels very often apparently were unwilling to put aside their viewing habits and try something with an original thought behind it.Do not be suspicious because this particular model is not carried by the authorized dealers for Sola in the USA. The Sola store on Amazon is Keson / Sola US, something I checked by calling them before placing my order.

Nice euro design level. I ran a comparison against my Stanley Fatmax level, checking both against my Starrett 98-12 machinist level. Both the Sola and the Stanley showed level equally well. Sola no better than the Stanley.

I love Sola's Big Red line and own several. When I saw the HPL line, I immediately ordered both units.Well, this one just arrived. Cracked end cap. It isn't rubbery like on the Big Red and is apparently easily cracked. That wasn't the deal breaker though. The accuracy was off.I am attaching 3 photos. In the first, the 30 in HPL is brought close to perfectly level (using .01 in feeler gauge to adjust the end) as measured by a Mitutoyo 3600. (I don't have my Starrett machinist levels with me today, so this is the next best I had.) I don't know if the high res photo will show on Amazon, but the bubble is slightly to the left (i.e. left side is too high).To bring the bubble closer to center is shown in the 2nd photo. As you can see on the Mitutoyo, the left is actually quite a bit too low -- well beyond the accuracy rating on the Mitutoyo.But just to further demonstrate that the HPL is the errant unit, the 3rd photo shows a Sola Big Red 24 inch, perfect level on the Mitutoyo, and bubble is perfectly centered.I would've expected a sturdier and more accurate product, especially at this price point -- or even at Big Red's price point.Fortunately the broken end cap means I get a free return. When the bigger unit arrives, I will have to pay to return that. I am staying with my Big Reds -- and I recommend that you take a pass on the HPL and go with the Big Red if you are in the market for the most non-machinist level that is easiest to read.If you read the bubble carefully on the Big Reds, both the 24 and 48 inch versions will clearly show a .06 degree off-level visibly -- and a 0.1 degree off-level will show even to a casual observer. I couldn't even really get a good assessment of the HPL to see if it's better than .06 because, actually, the position of the vial is slightly harder to read for me! But that may be personal preference, so I won't hold that against Sola.Love the Big Red. Very disappointed in the HPL.

Is a nice level, but I’m not sure it’s any more sensitive than my old ones.