Power and CalibrationР”Р„ normal 9V battery powers the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ. (The literature also says it is mortar resistant!) You can't submerge the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ but a little rain or spilled coffee in the shop shouldn't be a disaster.

The SmartToolРІвЂћСћ was designed for the construction trades so it is tough and relatively maintenance free. That is handy when you want to convert a reading from degrees to pitch or slope. Interestingly, the Mode button works while the Hold is engaged. The SmartToolРІвЂћСћ also has a Hold button that freezes the display for when you can't see the reading or just need to save it. The SmartTool can be opened for access to the battery or for installing into the magnetic or level body. Now you really can build something level with your eyes closed! Another button turns on the audible system that beeps when the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ hits level or plumb. The arrows get larger as the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ moves farther from level (or plumb) and shorter as the error is reduced. When you can see the display, the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ provides arrows at the ends of the LCD that show which end has to go up and which goes down to achieve level. A button changes the display mode between degrees, percentage (slope) or pitch (inches per foot, 1/8' resolution). While those functions are cool on their own, the SmartToolРІвЂћСћ does more. The SmartToolРІвЂћСћ is built around an electronics package that uses a digital LCD display to show how level (or not level) something is with a remarkable 1/10-degree accuracy. the arrows also grow longer as the out-of-level condition worsens, shorter when you get closer to level.

The arrows show which direction the surface must go to become level. The controls (right) are easy to understand. The stand alone SmartTool (left) is nicely sized.

Smart tool level