How to use a Topcon Laser

If you're measuring something that's higher than ground level, set up your tripod and place the laser securely on its base. If you want to calculate the slope of the ground, you don't need to use the tripod. Make sure to clear away any leaves or debris so that your laser performs the most accurate reading.

Alert everyone in the area that you're going to turn on the laser, and then press the power switch on the instrument's base. Once you've verified that the laser is on, press the power switch on your handheld level sensor.

Now that your Topcon laser level is powered up, you need to choose the right settings for your job. Unless you're taking a rough estimate, flip the precision mode switch on your level sensor to receive the best readings.

To ensure that your readings are accurate, you must establish where the level sensor is in relation to the rest of the slope. Verify that your sensor is still on, and then move it until the sensor indicates that it has found the on-grade position. Set the handpiece down exactly where indicated, and use a pencil or another instrument to note the position. As you continue the process, remember that there are 40 millimeters between the top of the sensor and the top of the index.

Now that you've turned on and prepared your Topcon laser, you're ready to operate it. As you begin using the level sensor to calculate the grade of your property, watch out for the height alert function setting. Three lights go off if you disturb the instrument enough that it cannot properly measure anymore. If you're operating the laser in manual rather than automatic mode, the warning will not go off, so ensure that you're being careful when you're working manually.

If you don't want the laser to take your property's height into account, you must modify the slope function so that it only measures the X-axis of your land. Establish a line parallel to the one you want to measure, and then adjust the laser so that it is parallel to your guide. Before starting the leveling process, ensure that you can clearly see the target through the instrument's sights.

If you think that your laser's calibration is off, you can quickly check it yourself. Set up your instrument and its tripod around 160 feet away from a wall, and use a pencil to mark the laser's position on the wall. Then, turn the instrument around and use the other side to mark a point on the wall. If these points are within five millimeters of each other, your laser is properly calibrated.

Unlike many levels, you can calibrate your Topcon instrument by yourself. Perform a similar series of checks as you would to verify the calibration, and then use the slope adjustment function to return the different sides to proper alignment. Pressing the button that turns off your height alert makes your instrument remember its new settings.