Swanson Lightning Level - Review

Swanson Lightning Level:

Here’s another of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” products. There have been countless situations in the past where I struggled to see the bubble; cramped in a tight dark corner of a construction project, mostly. These days, between my eyesight not being what it used to be and those same tight, dark corners – well, I thought I was just going to have to start guessing at level and plumb.

Now, Swanson has come along to save the day – for a price. Their new Lighted Box Beam Level has tiny LED lights tucked away in each vial pocket. One press of the handy switch near the end of the tool and darkness is banished. It’s a miracle! A miracle of modern science, that is. The tool runs on 2 AAA batteries, included in the initial purchase.

The level also features rare-earth magnets embedded along one side. In addition to holding it in place on steel columns or beams, they can also be pretty handy in finding any nails in your sawdust pile. Of course, if you’re into fine woodworking, this could be an issue with regard to metal shavings sticking to the level and leaving nasty marks on an easily scratched wood surface. It’s something to consider, at least.

I used the level to keep a TV bracket right on the money when installing it in a dark room. Sure, I could have brought in a work light, but it was a lot easier just turning on the level. Definitely a handy feature if you find yourself in situations like this on a regular basis.

Being a smart energy-conscious tool, it turns the lights off after 10 minutes to save battery life. That’s another nice feature to have, especially if you tend to be somewhat forgetful. The company claims the LEDs never burn out. Technically they will, but not for a good 20 or 30 years, if scientists are correct in their estimation of an LED’s lifespan. It’s safe to say that you will have probably passed the level on to your grandkids at that point anyway – let them worry about replacing the lights.

Overall, I like the concept and the tool itself. If you do a lot of work in areas that tend to be dark, the Swanson Lighted Level could light up your world.

The level is available in both 24 inch and 48 inch models for around $31 and $46, respectively. They’re both pricier than their unlighted counterparts, but might save you from building a dark, crooked house.

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