Automatic Levels

AUTO LEVEL PRODUCTS & BUYER'S GUIDE

Automatic Levels, also known as Dumpy Levels, are widely used by surveyors, engineers, and construction professionals to precisely measure the height or elevation of points within the same horizontal plane. Compact and lightweight, Auto Levels are excellent instruments for grading a roadway, setting the foundation for a new home, landscaping, fence building, and more. Most auto levels can be used in dusty job site conditions, can withstand light rainfall, and even survive a fall into the water. Find the perfect Auto Level for any job with our wide selection of Auto Levels from top brands. 

OUR BEST-SELLER

The Nikon AX-2S 20X Automatic Level is a compact and highly accurate instrument for leveling and horizontal angle measurement. With a built-in magnetic-dampened compensator, it stays accurate to ±1/16” at 200 feet. It’s a great choice for tight spots or steep slopes as it can focus on targets as near as 2.5 feet. With an IP54 rating, the Nikon AX-2S is safe to use in light rain or dusty conditions. 

AUTOMATIC LEVELS BUYER’S GUIDE

As with any surveying tool, the key to choosing the right Automatic Level is knowing the job requirements. There are two main things to look at when shopping for an Auto Level: the magnification range and accuracy range. The magnification range pertains to the Auto Level's ability to magnify the target. Auto Levels usually have a 20x to 40x magnification range. The magnification range you need depends on the nature of the job. Are you measuring points in a large area? Then you will benefit from a large magnification range. 

As for accuracy, you can choose from accuracies of 1/32” to ?”, with 1/32” being more accurate. Does your job need hyper-precision or does it involve more of a rough or initial grading?

The brand is another thing to consider. Some of the major brands in the market are TopCon, Leica, AdirPro, David White, Nedo, Nikon, Northwest Instruments, Seco, Sokkia, Spectra, and Bosch.  

These 3 factors - magnification range, accuracy range, and brand - dictate the price. Knowing exactly what you need will help you avoid overspending or getting an Auto Level that is not right for the job. 

Once you have decided on these factors, everything else falls into preference. 

Auto Level Components

The Auto Level, much like other surveying instruments, has a telescope mounted on a base. On one end of the telescope is the objective lens which is used to locate the object being sighted, and on the other end is the eyepiece where users look to view the target. The eyepiece has crosshairs that can be focused by rotating the eyepiece. On the side of the telescope is a focusing knob that brings the target into focus. 

Then there’s the circular level, also called the bubble or bullseye level, which is used to pre-level the instrument. After mounting the Auto Level on a tripod, the leveling screws are used to make micro-adjustments to bring the bubble into the middle point of the bullseye level. 

Once this is done, the internal compensator automatically takes over and makes necessary adjustments to ensure that the instrument is truly level. This compensator is responsible for the “automatic leveling” of Auto Levels. Most compensators are gravity-reliant magnetic pendulums that stay level despite ground vibrations and operator movements. 

Auto Level vs Theodolite

While an Auto Level is used to accurately measure elevations in the same horizontal plane, theodolites are used to measure horizontal and vertical angles. Theodolites are more suitable for professionals specializing in geolocation and triangulation works. Although theodolites can also measure elevations, Auto Levels produce more accurate results over long distances. Auto Levels can also measure horizontal angles but with limited accuracy. 

Automatic Level vs Dumpy Level

Both the Auto Level and Dumpy Level are highly valuable surveying tools used to locate points in the same horizontal plane. But because the Auto Level has a more technologically advanced design, it has a steeper learning curve than the Dumpy Level. The upside to the Auto Level is since it has an internal compensator that ensures that the line of sight is always level, it's faster to set up and get accurate measurements once the operator learns how to use it.

How Much Does an Automatic Level Cost?

Depending on the features, technical specifications, and brand, Auto Level prices can range from $200 for the most basic models to as high as $3000 for models with the highest possible accuracy and magnification range. 

Tiger Supplies is an authorized dealer for a wide range of Automatic Levels from top brands including CST/Berger, Leica, Nikon, Northwest Instrument, Seco, Spectra, Sokkia, and Topcon. For the full setup package, you can choose from our Auto Level Kits that include a grade rod and tripod. Whether you need a basic model or a more advanced Auto Level for complex jobs, we are here to help you find the right Automatic Level for the success of your project.