Kaiweets KT-360a 3D Laser Level – Technical Review.

One of the latest laser levels to come to the market is the Kaiweets 3D laser level.

Kaiweets are a group of young Hong Kong engineers We were searching for reliable electrical testing tools and DIY accessories that were affordable smart and are an eco-friendly. However, they became disappointed in finding that this was no easy task and so in 2018 they decided to set up their own company called Kaiweets.

Originally just producing electrical testing tools can’t wait took a change of direction in July 2019. this was the date that they first launched the KT-360a. This was their first 3D laser level.

The good people at Kaiweets were kind enough to send me one of their laser levels to review. I have had it for just over a week now and all I have done is test it out to see if it lives up to its specifications.

First Impressions of the Kaiweets KT360a.

My first impressions of the Kaiweets KT360a laser level is how big the case is. Usually, cases for these levels are basic affairs, but not this one. This case is relatively big and is filled with soft protective foam with cut outs for the laser level and accessories.

I think this case is so much better for laser levels as it protects the instrument from shocks during transportation, and storage. I think most levels suffer alignment issues during storage and transportation. When the levels are in use they don’t usually get knocked.

I am also impressed with the accessories that are included. There is a spare battery and a green viewing plate that is graduated. Also included is a magnetic bracket that has both a 5/8” and 1/4” tripod thread adapters. This is very versatile as even heavy-duty surveying tripods can be used for mounting the Kaiweets KT-360a laser level.

Holding the actual laser level, I continue to be impressed. It is held in the case securely and requires some force to pull it out. The unit feels sturdy and has quite some weight to it. Most of the weight can be attributed to the battery pack. It feels a lot lighter when the battery is not connected.

The casings around the laser windows have that cold metal feel to them. Giving a sturdy, reassurance that this laser level is built to last. It should withstand the harsh environment that can be found on some construction sites.

---

Disclaimer: This site, and in particular this page, contains affiliate links to products. You are under no obligation to but if you visit and buy something from their site from a link on this site, we will receive a small commission, the price you pay will remain the same. This helps to keep this website running and your help is appreciated.

---

Accuracy.

The accuracy of any level, be it a spirit, optical or a laser level, is the most important factor to me. And I think it should be to you also.

The accuracy for the KT-360a laser level is quoted as 0.3mm/m. In imperial terms that is about 1/8 of an inch over 30 foot. This figure is a plus or minus value so the beam could be either 0.3mm above or below true (horizontal or vertical) every metre from the laser level.

It is also quick to level up. Taking under 3 seconds to settle once it is within its self-levelling range. If the laser level is outside of its self-levelling range the laser beam will flash. When it is level, it will provide a constant beam.

---

What is accuracy?

Accuracy refers to how close the measurement is to the true value. Is the laser level giving a true horizontal or vertical line?

What is precision?

Precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other. How many times can we set level lines with the laser level and get the same answer.

---

Testing the accuracy of the Kaiweets KT-360a

Before using any laser level for a levelling task, it should be checked for accuracy. Checking any instrument for accuracy should be done carefully. Professionals using any type of level will check it before carrying out any important levelling tasks.

Working as a site engineer and surveyor I need to check lots of different types of levelling equipment for accuracy on a weekly basis. Carrying out a two-peg test on any type of levelling equipment can take some time and needs two people. And so, I have developed a shortcut to the 2 peg test to save myself time and to do away with the requirement for a second person,

In the warehouse where I work, I have set up a level baseline. I have two targets on the wall separated by 40 metres. I took a lot of time to set these two targets at exactly the same level. Using several different survey equipment to ensure that they were perfectly level. This is just one of the ways that helped me to check survey equipment for accuracy easily and quickly on any site.

Part of doing two peg test is to set up the instrument close to one of the level targets and to measure the difference at the other level target. It is from this measurement that we can tell the accuracy of any laser level.

As you can see in the photo below, I have been able to set up the KT-360a on a normal survey tripod and at the same level as the first target. One of the nice features of the KT-360a is that it can be set up on a 5/8” thread on a normal survey tripod.

The targets on the wall that I’ve been using are reflective. I’m standing close to the laser level I can see the reflection of the green laser beam off the target. This target is nearly 40 metres away the laser beam from the laser level is difficult to see. I have not been able to photograph the laser beam on the target.

I checked the distance between the two reflective targets using one of the three cheap laser levels that I bought from Amazon to see if they were any good.

At 40 metres the accuracy of the KT-360a laser level should be plus or minus 12 millimetres. The reflected targets are 25 millimetres square. As I have set up the laser level in the centre of the first target, the fact that I can see the reflected laser beam on the other target, means that it’s got to be within at least 12 millimetres of level.

I can safely say that the accuracy of the KT-360a is within the specified limits.

---

Battery life.

With any laser level, battery life is one of the most important factors. It is a real pain when your laser level stops working halfway through a job. What’s even worse is when you must move it to change the batteries. Then you have to setup the laser level again. Costing you time and money.

The Kaiweets KT-360a Laser Level comes with 2 Li-Ion batteries. One can be used while the other one is charging. Charging the batteries is done via a USB-C cable with a plug adapter for the wall socket. Most people these days will have a cable like this and so it is easy to charge the battery using a cell phone cable. This means that you should be able to charge the battery anywhere.

While the batteries are charging the four LED lights on the unit will flash sequentially. Once the battery is fully charged all four LED lights stay lit.

How long does the battery last on the Kaiweets KT-360a?

The manual states what the battery life for this laser level should be. There are different times given for the different modes that can be used. The times given are for the two batteries that are included in the kit.

The operating times for the laser level is dependent on the number of laser beams that are on at any one time.

With only one laser line on, a single battery should last 35 hours. With two laser lines on the operating time is reduced to 20 hours and with 3 laser lines the battery will last 12.5 hours.

With the two batteries provided these times are doubled. The total time for the battery life is stated for both batteries in the manual.

Using just one laser line you should get a whole working week out of one charge.

The only way to know if this is true, is to test it. So that is what I did.

The first thing I did was to make sure the battery was fully charged. In the manual it states that the first charge should be for at least 8 Hours. The battery I was testing was brand new with a protective cover on the terminals.

I left this battery on charge for at least 8 Hours. I left the battery on charge overnight, giving the battery well over 12 hours of charging time.

With the new battery installed I switched it on when I got into the office at 7am. I selected to have all three laser beams on as this was the setting that has the highest drain on the battery and therefore was the quickest test to perform. It should also be done within the working day!!!

I left the Kaiweets KT-360a on for the day, checking it several times throughout the day to ensure it was still on and working. When checking on the laser level I noticed there is 4 LED lights that indicate the charge state of the battery. The more LED’s that are on the more charge the battery has. The last LED is red to signify the battery is low on power.

The point of this test was to see how long the battery would last so I wanted it to turn off. I did this test on a Friday and wanted to go home so stopped it at 4pm. The Kaiweets KT-360a laser level lasted a full nine hours on a single battery.

The battery indicator had just gone down to the last red LED before I had switched it off. I think it will last the full claimed time but will confirm when I get chance to do another test.

The images below show the charge state at different times throughout the day.

I have re-run the battery life test by setting the laser level on again with three laser beams on overnight. Starting the test at 9pm I left the Kaiweets KT-360a on through the night knowing that by the time I woke up the next morning it would still be working. The laser level finally ran out of power between 9am and 9:30am.

This means a working time of up to 12 and a half hours. This is consistent with the manufacturers specification.

---

What is the working range of the Kaiweets KT-360a?

The quoted range off the KT-360a is 30 metres. This 30 metres value is only given as an approximate range.

As with all laser levels of this type, the range of the visible laser light is dependent on the ambient light conditions. This means that when the ambient light conditions are brighter, the range decreases. And when the ambient light conditions are darker, the range increases.

The other point to note about this 30 metres range is that it is quoted as a diameter. This means that the effective range from the instrument is only 15 metres.

To extend the range further of the Kaiweets KT-360a there is an optional laser detector. To use the laser detector the laser level needs to be put into the pulse mode. This is so that the detector will beep when the laser is detected. Using the laser detector, the range of the laser level is doubled. This should increase the working diameter range to 60 metres.

Testing the range of the Kaiweets KT-360a I have not had the optional laser detector so the range that we’re looking at is just 15 metres from the instrument. Setting up the laser level in the warehouse where I’m working, I can see the laser beam line at about 30 metres away from the laser level. Remember that the visibility of the laser beam is dependent upon the ambient light conditions and the surface that you are looking at.

In the picture below you can see the green laser beam bouncing off the cream wall of the container unit. The line that can be seen on the container unit is between 25 and 30 metres away from the laser level. I think this laser line is good enough to be used.

This test has been carried out in an indoor environment. This is predominantly where I believe most people will be using this laser level. The range of the laser level when being used outside on a sunny day will be closer to the 15m from the laser level.

I can confidently say that the working range of the Kaiweets KT-360a is greater than the 15 metres radius quoted. In these conditions it can be seen that working range is closer to 30 metres from the instrument.

---

Self-Levelling Range.

Like most non-rotating laser levels, the Kaiweets KT-360a will self-level within 4 degrees of being set horizontal. This is the standard that everyone has adopted. Most surfaces that these levels are placed on are usually level, and within 4 degrees of horizontal.

But how do you know if you have setup the laser level within 4 degrees of being horizontal?

With the Kaiweets KT-360-a it is easy. If the laser level has been setup within its self levelling range then the green laser beam is solid and continuous. If the laser level is outside of its self levelling range then the green laser beam flashes quickly and continues to flash until back into its self levelling range.

You can see what I mean in the video below. I have used the magnetic clamp to mount the laser level to the side of the metal cabin. This allows me to rotate the laser level out of its self levelling range and then back through its full self levelling range.

---

Does the Kaiweets KT-360a live up to its specification?

Yes, I think it does. I am impressed by this 3D laser level. It does live up to what I would expect from reading the specifications. And in some cases exceeds them.

The Kaiweets KT-360a passes the accuracy test. The accuracy of the Kaiweets KT-360a is as specified at plus or minus 3mm every 10m. In fact I think that it is well within this range.

The battery life also lives up to expectations. One battery will last a complete working day on the most energy intensive setting. Having 2 batteries included means that you should never not be able to use this laser level.

The working range of the Kaiweets KT-360a exceeds expectations when used indoors. I found that I could see the green laser beam at 30m from the laser level. Inside smaller rooms the laser beam is clear and bright.

The Kaiweets KT-360a also self levels within 4 degrees of horizontal. Flashing the laser beam when outside of its self levelling range is a good feature.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Kaiweets KT-360a. I was impressed when I first opened the case to find substantial cushioned foam around the laser level. This tells me that Kaiweets care about their products, thinking about how to protect precision equipment is often overlooked.

In my experience most equipment will go out of calibration during transportation or storage. Usually when it suffers an external shock, like falling out of the van, or of a shelf. And when laser levels do go out of calibration the costs can be enormous.

---

---