Review on 📏 Digi Pas DWL280PRO: The Ultimate Waterproof Digital Protractor for Accurate Measurements by Alfredo Nosrac

Update JUNE 2019. I've left my original 2015 review intact below, but over the past four years I've come to the conclusion that my initial thoughts were more hopeful than accurate. Although my vision is still partially impaired, I no longer believe that a digital level is the solution to poor vision problems. Yes, digital levels can measure fractions of a degree, but that extra accuracy doesn't mean they're any faster or easier to use in practice, especially with very short torpedo levels. He suggests playing with extreme precision when such precision is time consuming and rarely, if ever, really needed for normal carpentry work. I eventually went back to the regular bubble level and found it to be much faster and easier to use. This level required more and more time to use with no corresponding benefit. The digital spirit level is not as intuitive as the spirit level, and digital has always required more concentration to figure out which end was too high or too low, which would be intuitively obvious with a spirit level. This particular level quickly drained the batteries and caused even new Duracell AAAs to "bleed out" inside the case. The battery compartment, a tight-fitting tube, kept the batteries trapped inside, making them very difficult to remove. After less than four years of use, mine finally died today. When I took out three brand new batteries that I only put in two weeks ago (expiration date: 2023), I found that one of them was coming out of the corrosion and the other one started bleeding. Otherwise I could blame the batteries but I've seen this situation twice before with the same level so I have to believe it has something to do with the design of the device and not the batteries. For the above reasons I have downgraded my original five star rating to three and have decided not to replace the Level with another digital from this or any other manufacturer. I believe that for $75 (or $53 since it's on sale now) I can get a quality replacement spirit level that's just as accurate, doesn't require batteries, will last the rest of my life, and is overall faster and easier to use. Below is my first review prior to learning the above. Why do you need a digital spirit level first and not a regular spirit level except for reading corners? For most people the answer will be that the bubbles get harder and harder to see with age and it takes extra time to assess the bubble every time you use it. Time and eye strain start to add up. So if you need a digital spirit level for clarity, you have the choice between LED and LCD displays. Most digital levels are LCDs (including the best-selling 24-inch Revain), which have limited viewing angles and are less visible overall than LED models in almost all circumstances. I only bought this model because it had a bright, crisp LED display instead of an LCD, sometimes backlit. As can be seen in the picture, the numbers are simply an eye-catcher even in sunlight and difficult lighting conditions. For people with cataracts, this is very, very important. The same manufacturer also produces 24-inch screens. and 48-inch models with LED displays, although they have a blue backlight instead of green. If I were to do it again, I might buy a 24", although I prefer a green over a blue backlight. However, a torpedo this size fits in a toolbox or pocket, so it might come in handy if you need it than a longer one that won't fit in tight spaces.If your problem is poor eyesight, consider buying an LED model.The level also has standard bubbles for rough use,but the bubbles themselves are smaller than other levels that I have used over the years where the edge of the bubble almost touches the lines on each side.These bubbles appear to be oblong, however they are spherical in shape and there is considerable space between the edge of the bubble and the lines on either side. After using this little bubble for a few weeks, I feel the little spherical bubble is more visible and easier to center t though the edge of the bubble does not come close to the lines on either side. It seems counterintuitive to me, but my brain seems to have adapted to this odd design, probably because you can intuitively locate the center where the line is hard to see. Just thought I'd mention it as a weird anomaly for those who do this sort of thing. This level has a nice, comfortable, and well-designed "feel" in the hand that, while not improving accuracy, is indicative of a quality instrument. There are only four buttons, obviously foldable, simple and effective for their purpose. The display automatically flips when working overhead and features an efficient set of magnets at the base to keep it level on metal stands and iron surfaces. There is a V-groove for centering round objects like pipes. If it would project a laser line I'd be very happy (but it doesn't) and the manufacturer doesn't claim this as a feature. In general, especially if you have vision problems, this model is what you need.