Thank you for the article, I really appreciate it as the fest/stabil 4 footer is on my list of tools to buy. The lighted vials may seem a little gimicky at first but so did the lights on my Makita screw guns when they first came out. Once they perform in a situation where they are truly needed I curse the many days previous where they could have improved my performance. These days I do most of my closet shelf or any horizontal layout for that matter with a 360 degree self leveling laser. As with any tool that require batteries I always have an extra set of rechargeables ready to roll thus eliminating the frustration of a dead battery.
I think I’ve had a conversation with every carpenter I’ve worked with in the past about the bubble size in the vial relating to the gap between the lines. The bubble always seems too small. Your conversation with J Becker solves this mystery. As well as the tapered end cap issue (my end caps come off after purchase and live in my tool bag and are used only when needed).
As with every Festool I own as well as any other tool that stimulates the “I can’t believe you paid that much” statement I am reminded of my stock response…. “I can’t afford not to buy it”.
Thanks again,

Tim Ridges

“Beveled end caps! Boy do we totally understand the question. The size and shape of the end caps are the way they are for two reason. First, the material is different and can expand and contract at different rates. We can’t allow any chance that an end cap might ever be larger because that would throw off the accuracy of the level! And the second reason the end caps have beveled edges is to avoid sharp corners.

Sensitivity! What a great question. That’s at the heart of any highly accurate measuring system. Sensitivity varies with and is almost a function of vial shape, material, texture and size. We use a barrel-shaped vial and a specific texture in order to control the speed of the bubble traveling through the vial; we balance those features while maintaining the highest possible accuracy which is comfortable to use for tradesmen. It is possible to be even more accurate, but then the level becomes finicky and difficult to use.

Bubble size. It is not a good thing to have a larger bubble that gets closer to the lines for the very reason you mentioned! In cold temperatures, the bubble gets larger. If the bubble gets so large that it touches both lines, the level is useless.”

I hope Jason’s explanations help!
Gary

Chuck

Thank you for your feedback and your trust in us at Stabila. We totally understand your frustration with hard to read vials and appreciate your purchase of the Lights kit. I also understand your comments about the 4 screws. I like to call them “irritating little screws” myself. You have a couple of options for now. New light packs are available through your local Stabila dealer. They are sold in a 2 pack and even include the housing that is mounted in the level frame, in the case that the housing gets cracked from a nasty fall. The part number for the 2 pack is (20090) and usually retails for around $12. considering the cost of the “wafer” batteries, it is a pretty decent option.

We totally agree with your auto shut off comment and are always looking at options. The decision to go with the type of switches we did were to combat dust and water. The switches are actually magnetic so that the light packs would have a dust and water rating of IP54. The decision was also based on ultimate cost. In the future we will consider all options.

Thanks again for your business, support and opinion. We appreciate all of them.

Sincerely,

Jason Becker
Marketing Manager
Stabila Inc.

I haven’t run the batteries down on one yet…I guess I haven’t left them on! But that moment will come, I’m sure. I know that Stabila told me the batteries could be replaced but they provide a complete light replacement instead. I haven’t needed one yet, but I may as well prepare for that, too, and order some so they’re in my van when I need them. Thanks for pointing that out!

Gary