DeWalt 20V MAX Rotary Green with Tripod

Why I reached for this rotary laser

I spend a lot of time bouncing between interior layout and outdoor grading checks, and I’ve been stubbornly clinging to older manual-leveling lasers for far too long. I picked up DeWalt’s rotary laser (DW079LGT) because I wanted a green beam I could see indoors without squinting and a detector that could stretch outdoors well beyond typical line lasers. After a month of use on a drop ceiling, some slab layout, and a couple of exterior fence lines, I’m confident in where it excels—and where it needs a steadier hand.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the kit feels complete. The TSTAK case is molded well, and everything has a home: the laser head, the detector with its clamp, a 5/8-inch tripod adapter, target card, enhancement glasses, ceiling and detector brackets, a 20V MAX battery and charger, plus the DW0737 tripod. I was working in a partially finished space the first day, and being able to go from case to working line in five minutes is exactly what I want from a rotary laser.

The housing is compact and lighter than I expected—about two pounds for the head, not counting the battery—so it’s easy to move from tripod to ceiling bracket. The IP67 rating and rubber overmolds inspire confidence; it’s clearly sealed against dust and the accidental splash. I’m not reckless with instruments, but job sites are messy, and this one is built for that.

Visibility and range

The green beam is the selling point if you work indoors. In medium light, I could see the line out to around 200–250 feet without the detector, which tracks with the spec. It’s bright, clean, and doesn’t bloom against white drywall the way dimmer green lines can. On a ceiling grid install, the beam held its definition enough that I wasn’t hunting for it across the room.

Outdoors is where the included detector earns its spot. With the detector on a grade rod, I was finding the line quickly at distances where a red-beam rotary would be invisible and a passive green line wouldn’t stand a chance. DeWalt lists 2,000 feet with the detector; I didn’t push it to the extreme, but working across a 300-foot run in bright sun was straightforward. The detector’s clamp holds well to a standard rod, and the readout is easy to interpret. It’s a no-drama experience.

Accuracy and leveling

This unit is specced at ±1/16 inch at 100 feet, and I couldn’t catch it out. I checked it against benchmarks in a hallway (about 90 feet) and then again across an open floor (~120 feet) using the detector and a story pole. In both cases, it lined up as expected, and repeated checks throughout the day didn’t show any drift.

Self-leveling is quick and reassuring. Set it on the tripod, power on, and it settles in. If the tripod gets bumped or the ceiling bracket flexes, it stops and re-levels instead of silently continuing off-grade. That’s what I want: a laser that refuses to lie to me.

The plumb spots (up and down) are more useful than they get credit for. Transferring a floor point to a ceiling location is a snap, and they make aligning the laser over a layout point painless.

Durability in the field

IP67 doesn’t mean you should dunk it, but it does mean dust and splashes won’t ruin your day. I used it in a light drizzle one morning, wiped it off at lunch, and kept going. The 2-meter drop rating is comforting; I didn’t test it deliberately, but it did take a shoulder-height knock when someone snagged the tripod’s leg with a conduit pipe. No drama—re-level and carry on.

The DW0737 tripod included in the kit is decent for general work. It’s not a heavy survey tripod, but the legs lock positively and the head threads are solid. On bare concrete or plywood, it’s stable enough; on spongy subfloor, any tripod will telegraph movement.

Power and runtime

One of the biggest practical wins: it runs on DeWalt’s 20V MAX battery platform. That alone reduces friction on a job site where I’m already carrying those packs for saws and drivers. The claimed 96-hour runtime is massive; in real terms, I used it for multiple full days without recharging. I appreciate that a battery and a charger are in the box, but the best part is swapping in any of my existing packs and never waiting.

Mounting options and stability

The included ceiling bracket is handy for suspended grid and drywall work. It grips well, and I like the adjustability. That said, any wall or ceiling mount will transmit vibration. On one stretch of wall that backed up to a mechanical room, I could see the line “quiver” a bit when equipment kicked on. That’s not a flaw unique to this model—rotary lasers are sensitive—but it’s something to keep in mind. On the tripod, especially when the legs are set wide and planted firmly, the line holds dead steady.

A few tips that made a difference:
- Use the tripod whenever possible; save the wall mount for short durations or when floor space is tight.
- Isolate the mount from active walls or vibrating surfaces; even shifting footsteps on a long span can show up.
- Hang a target card near your work area to verify stability at a glance.

Controls and day-to-day use

The interface is straightforward: power up, let it find level, and work. I didn’t need a manual to get lines running. The detector pairing is seamless—turn both on and go. While there are rotary lasers with more “tuner” features, I value reliability over a sea of buttons, and this one is focused on doing core tasks well.

Transport is simple thanks to the TSTAK case, and because it’s part of the broader TSTAK ecosystem, it stacks with other boxes in the truck without becoming a loose cannon. Everything, including the tripod, fits in the kit with room for a target and a rod clamp.

What could be better

• Sensitivity on rigid mounts: As noted, vibration is noticeable when the head is wall- or ceiling-mounted. That’s common, but if your workflow depends on long-term wall mounting near active spaces, plan accordingly.
• Tripod stiffness in wind: The included tripod is good, but a heavier survey tripod would be a nice upgrade for breezy exterior days or long-distance detector work.
• Feature set transparency: I’m careful not to assume slope or remote functions that aren’t clearly present. This kit nails the fundamentals—green beam, rotation, plumb spots, self-leveling—but if you need electronic slope for grading, confirm requirements before you buy.

Who it’s for

If your week looks anything like mine—alternating between interior layout, ceiling and track installation, and occasional outdoor checks—the combination of bright green visibility, long-range detector work, and jobsite durability hits the sweet spot. Being able to run on 20V MAX batteries matters more than it sounds; fewer chargers and packs to manage means one less way to lose time.

If your work is primarily heavy civil or you require advanced grade/slope features and remote operation every day, you may want to step up to a more specialized instrument. But for building trades, tenant improvements, and general contracting, this rotary laser is extremely capable.

The bottom line

This DeWalt rotary laser earns its keep with reliable self-leveling, excellent green-beam visibility, long-range detector performance, and real jobsite toughness (IP67 sealing and a 2-meter drop rating). The kit is thoughtfully complete, the 20V MAX power is convenient, and the accuracy holds up over the distances most of us work.

Recommendation: I recommend it. The combination of accuracy (±1/16 inch at 100 feet), visibility (green beam to ~250 feet), range (to 2,000 feet with the included detector), and durability makes it a dependable daily tool. The main caveat is vibration sensitivity on wall or ceiling mounts, which is manageable with a good tripod and mindful placement. If you want a rotary that sets up fast, runs for days on a 20V MAX pack, and survives the realities of a job site, this one is easy to trust.