The Milwaukee Crosshair Laser Level Will Leave Others Green with Envy
Hey there! Milwaukee is diving headfirst into the line laser world, and we’re here to spill all the details about their impressive lineup of crossline laser levels.
Advantages
- Green beam available for all laser classes.
- Two power supply options: M12 or RedLithium USB.
- Choose from seven different designs.
- Each model operates 24/7, with a minimum battery life of 8 hours.
- New fine-tuning dial for quick and easy positioning.
- Laser rotates on a plumb point, ensuring stability during adjustments.
- Accuracy of 1/8 inch per 33 feet.
Shortcomings
- Some models may be more expensive compared to basic competitors.
Milwaukee Crosshair Laser Visibility
Every Milwaukee crosshair laser utilizes a green beam for optimal visibility. The design team has gone the extra mile by creating new target cards that enhance visibility, even in bright workplaces. These high-contrast target cards make it easier to hit the center accurately. Additionally, the laser is magnetic and offers both standard and metric measurements.
While green beams offer improved visibility, they do have their trade-offs. Green lasers require more power, which means slightly shorter battery life compared to red lasers. Additionally, green lasers are more expensive to produce, resulting in a slight premium on Milwaukee’s models. However, the enhanced visibility is worth the trade-off.
Milwaukee laser levels set the standard with an impressive accuracy of 1/8 inch per 33 feet. This level of precision surpasses entry-level models, where accuracy can drop to 1/4 inch or even worse over the same distance.
Power and Runtime
Milwaukee offers two power source options: alkaline and lithium-ion. Interestingly, they only provide the lithium-ion option.
Milwaukee RedLithium USB Laser Level
The Milwaukee RedLithium USB crosshair laser model replaces the alkaline battery version commonly used by professionals. This model runs on up to four AA batteries, with heavy users going through two to three sets per week.
While these laser levels may cost $50 to $100 more than their alkaline counterparts, the long-term value is worth considering. Let’s say you use only one set of batteries per week. A pack of 48 Energizer batteries, available on Amazon, costs just over $20. That’s enough to last you for 12 weeks. In a year, you’ll need around four packs, costing you $80. So, the return on your lithium investment is approximately a year or less.
For heavy users using three battery packs per week, the annual cost would be about $240. By the end of Year 1, you’ll have essentially paid for the entire laser.
In terms of runtime, Milwaukee’s RedLithium USB batteries provide over 8 hours of operation for the crosshair laser model and 15 hours for the 3-point model. You can also use an M18 or M12 battery with a USB adapter to significantly increase your run time, thanks to the ability to run while charging.
Milwaukee M12 Crosshair Laser
For users who prefer compatibility with Milwaukee’s compact cordless tools, the M12 models are the perfect choice. These models offer comparable runtime to lithium-ion batteries.
With a 3.0Ah battery in the reticle/dot laser or a 4.0Ah battery in the 3-plane model, you can enjoy up to 15 hours of continuous use.
Simplified Setup
One of the standout features of every Milwaukee laser level is the fine adjustment of the vertical beam. While most lasers require manual adjustments and often result in some deviation from the intended mark, Milwaukee’s tuning offers smoother and more precise adjustments, leading to quicker and more accurate results.
Another common issue when manually adjusting lasers is the movement of the plumb point when making horizontal adjustments. Milwaukee’s design team has cleverly placed the pivot on the plumb point, allowing for vertical line adjustments without affecting the floor reference.
Jobsite Ready
Sensitive lasers, worksites, and less-than-careful crews don’t always mix well. Fortunately, Milwaukee has taken this into account and designed their laser levels to withstand drops from up to 1 meter (3.3 feet). These lasers also feature an IP54 rating, providing resistance against dust and water.
Milwaukee Crosshair Laser Level Options
Currently, Milwaukee offers seven different laser levels to choose from. Let’s take a quick look at each one:
Milwaukee M12 Green Reticle and 4 Point Laser
The newest addition to the lineup is the 3624 model. It incorporates the reticle and plumb point laser concept while adding two additional horizontal square points on the left and right. This model boasts a fine-tuning dial, plumb point rotation, and over 9 hours of runtime on a 3.0Ah battery.
- Power supply: M12 battery
- Beams: Horizontal, Vertical, Vertical Point, and Horizontal Point
- Runtime: 9+ hours
- Range: 125 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee M12 Green 360° Single Plane Laser Level
Another new 2022 addition, the M12 3631 model, is a 360° horizontal single plane laser that can run for up to 30 hours using a 4.0Ah battery. It has a visible range of 125 feet and covers a diameter of 250 feet without the need for a laser detector.
- Power supply: M12 battery
- Beam: Horizontal 360°
- Runtime: 30+ hours
- Range: 125 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee M12 Green 360° 3 Plane Laser Level
When you require three 360° lines for layout purposes, the 3632 model is your go-to choice. With two vertical beams and one horizontal beam, this laser is visible up to 125 feet from the laser itself, providing a visible diameter of 250 feet. The model features pivots at the top and bottom vertical intersections, making layout based on these points faster and easier. It delivers over 15 hours of runtime, even with all three lasers active, using a 4.0Ah battery pack.
- Power supply: M12 battery
- Beams: 360° horizontal and two 360° vertical
- Runtime: 15+ hours
- Range: 125 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee M12 Green Crosshair and Plumb Spot Laser Level
Among all the Milwaukee line lasers, the 3622 model is the most commonly used one. It combines vertical and horizontal crossing lines with plumb points, making it suitable for various industries. The fine-tuning knob rotates on a plumb point, and even with the 3.0Ah battery included in the kit, it still provides over 15 hours of runtime.
- Power supply: M12 battery
- Beam: Horizontal 360°, Vertical 360°, and Plumb Point
- Runtime: 15+ hours
- Range: 125 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee USB Rechargeable Green Crosshair Laser
After transitioning to the RedLithium USB battery system, Milwaukee’s 3521 model became the go-to horizontal/vertical reticle laser. While its visible range is slightly shorter at 100 feet when using the USB battery, it still provides over 8 hours of runtime. Although it lacks a rotatable plumb point, the fine-tuning mechanism remains the same.
- Power source: RedLithium USB battery
- Beams: Horizontal and Vertical
- Runtime: 8+ hours
- Range: 100 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee USB Rechargeable Green 3-Point Laser Level
For those who require laser points, the 3510 model from Milwaukee is the perfect choice. It offers two plumb points and one horizontal point visible from a distance of 150 feet. Although this model lacks pivots or fine adjustment knobs on the base due to the nature of 3-point lasers, its RedLithium USB battery delivers an impressive runtime of 15+ hours.
- Power source: RedLithium USB battery
- Beams: Vertical and Horizontal Points
- Runtime: 15+ hours
- Range: Visible up to 150 feet
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Milwaukee USB Green Crosshair and Plumb Spot Laser
For the reticle and plumb functionality of the M12 3622 model on the RedLithium USB system, the 3522 model is the perfect choice. Although visibility is slightly reduced at 100 feet, detector range remains at 165 feet. The battery provides over 8 hours of runtime, and you can easily fine-tune the laser using the knobs and plumb point rotation.
- Power source: RedLithium USB battery
- Beam: Horizontal 360°, Vertical 360°, and Plumb Point
- Runtime: 8+ hours
- Range: 100 feet visible, 165 feet with detector
- Accuracy: ±1/8 inch at 33 feet
- Self-leveling: ±4°
- Protection class: IP54
Available Accessories
Apart from the laser itself, Milwaukee offers a few handy accessories worth mentioning. The magnetic/hangable mount, although appearing standard, allows for a 360º range connection, making it easy to find suitable mounting points in any environment. Additionally, the track clamp comes in handy when working on dropped ceilings and similar projects.
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee Cross Line Laser Level delivers the accuracy and visibility that professionals demand, streamlining the setup process. We appreciate that each model is powered by a lithium-ion battery, offering ample runtime for a full 8-hour workday. Overall, Milwaukee’s innovation is impressive, and we expect it to make a significant impact on the line laser market.