BOSCH GOL 32CK 32X Automatic Optical Level Kit, Includes Aluminum Tripod, Grade Rod, Plumb Bob, Tool Kit, & Carrying Case

Just finished shooting a contour plot of 10 acres of orchards of mine...nearly two hundred elevation points. The level worked great. Key features I liked:1) The view with this 26x unit is really sharp and crisp making it easy to read the rod to a tenth at up to 300 feet. I also used it as close as 20 feet and everywhere in between.2) The auto leveling is superb...leading to quick setups and fast shoots. I used the level on a professional camera tripod equipped with a sturdy ball head and custom adapter for the level's 5/8-11mount. For each setup, I just loosened the ball head and quickly roughly-zeroed the bulls-eye level in a few seconds, fine-tuned the bulls-eye with a quick couple of turns of the levels feet, and was ready to shoot. The auto level took care of all the fine tuning for all shoot directions...very quick.3) The auto level dampens down very fast (second or two) and didn't bounce at all in the modest winds I encountered. Very efficient shooting.4) The focus and lateral translation knobs work very smoothly, and together with the gun-sight, make acquiring and reading the rod a quick matter.5) I performed a full calibration of the unit before using it...it was dead nuts on as shipped from the factory.Couple of issues worth noting:1) The level comes with a clamp to hold the auto level mechanism during transportation, but actuating it requires holding in a pin on the underside of the level. This is done automatically when the level is placed into its carrying case...thus the mechanism is clamped during transportation in its case. However, the mechanism is not clamped when carrying the unit around in the field. Having a manual clamp for field transportation could be good...OR maybe NOT so good. One would have to remember to release the clamp, or all your readings would be way off. The clamp would have to block your view or somehow force you to release it before using the instrument. It worked fine as it is.2) In a similar manner, I had to be very careful not to take bad readings with the level by using the wrong cross hair. The level has three horizontal cross hairs: the central one and two widely spaced additional ones for use in estimating distances. A few times I caught myself using the wrong horizontal cross hair when taking a reading...they're all similar in size and color. Had to force myself to confirm that I was using the central cross hair.Bottom Line: Great Level...a pleasure to use...particularly in comparison to the old "non-auto" units I've used in the past.

Fantastic! Works great. Packaged and shipped professionally. The Level, the tripod, and the Rod, all operate easily. The case for the level is awesome. The base of the tripod actually has rubber boots over top of the sharp spikes. I didn't realize the rubber covers were meant to come off at first because they are slightly pointed. It appeared that they were the actual spikes, but remove the rubber covers to reveal the very sharp spikes for ensuring the tripod does not slip on soft surfaces like soil or sod. The rubber boots are awesome for harder surfaces such as rock, concrete or tile. It took a little getting used to how to ensure the level is actually level, but some spins on the three adjustment knobs centers up the bubble and it is then level. Sighting through the scope was not simple to figure out... the knob on the right-hand side of the level controls the zoom of the telescope and the lens knob around the viewfinder then provides the fine focus. If you must get the zoom focus correct first and then adjust the fine focus. It was difficult to keep remembering that the rise and fall of the slope being measured is inversely related to the feet and inches shown on the rod.Overall this set is awesome. Once you get used to how to adjust everything, it is really awesome!!!

Bosch is premium quality tools.Every time.😎

This appears to possibly be another great product from Bosch. I cannot say for sure however because it apparently was knocked out of level during shipping. The project that it was purchased for was delayed so it was not discovered to be out of level until after the return window closed. Attempts to use Bosch's website for returning it for repairs only circles back to sales. Using their call center was the most painful customer service experience I have ever had. Three calls with two different people neither of which could understand basic English. One of them I eventually had to hang up on. Between these three calls and 45 minutes I was finally able to get one of them to obtain my contact information by referencing my serial number that I had submitted when I registered the tool. Note that they do not ask you how your customer service experience was after the call like most reputable companies - sadly I can see why. The webpage that I was finally emailed for initiating a repair will not accept the product information that I am taking straight off the Bosch's product information card that is in the case with the level so I am unable to proceed through that route. After several attempts I was finally able to send an email to customer service through their website - another frustrating adventure. I am waiting for a reply. Right now I have a brand new but useless sight level sitting in my office. In hindsight, I should have gone with a less temperamental laser however, I have been using optical levels for years and I like the accuracy that you can get when they are functioning properly. In my experience, Bosch has always proven to be a quality tool however if I do not get a positive response from my email to customer service this will be my last Bosch tool. Spending extra money to purchase what should be a quality tool is of no use if you are unable to get the tool serviced. Maintaining strong customer relationships should be a primary goal of any company because it generates repeat business. Bosch apparently has decided that this is not of importance to them. I cannot see how a customer service experience can be this bad by accident.Update: by using the "contact us" tab at the bottom of Bosch's home page I was contacted via email by a customer service rep who apologized for my experience with their call center. He sent me a prepaid shipping label for their service department. The tool was returned within a couple of weeks with a no charge invoice and a note that it was recalibrated. I have revised my rating to a 4. Bosch makes quality tools and I appreciate that they did reach out to me and rectified the situation. I still however advise not to use their call center and recommend that you just immediately use the "contact us" tab on their website if you need to have a tool serviced.