When I entered the (mostly non-union) profession in Texas, the hefty pay for the large number of general-purpose tools an electrician needs was intimidating, so I cut back where I could. The magnetic level was one of those items that I couldn't justify asking for the $30-$40 price tag. After all, that was what my little ones were worth. It turned out to be a solid investment. As a professional, you don't have many opportunities to cut corners when it comes to tools, but this could be one of them. The magnets are strong and won't fall out, the bubbles are easy to see even in low light and very accurate. and the block is very durable. During my first 2 (maybe 3) years as an apprentice I dropped a lot of things, especially from elevators and stairs. The Swanson level didn't change every time. Highly recommended for novice traders.