Review of the Topcon RL-H5A and RL-H5B Rotating laser

May 24, 2020

Reviews

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A Review of the Topcon RL-H5A & RL-H5B electronic levelling rotating laser

The Topcon RL-H5A & RL-H5B replaced Topcon’s previous model, the RL-H4C. These lasers are electronic self-levelling rotating lasers designed for outdoor site levelling. Topcon has been one of the major suppliers of rotating laser levels globally for many years and have a great reputation for tough reliability. This reputation was built primarily on the back of the RL-H3C two generations before.

Both these models, the 5A and 5B are pretty simple to use laser levels with fairly basic features. The 5B is the more basic entry-level model and the 5A has an extra feature and slightly different specifications. Essentially, both lasers are built identically and look similar with different colour schemes and two extra buttons on the 5A.

Topcon RL-H5B

First I will look at the RL-H5B base model. This laser, like all makes and models of electronic rotating lasers, is essentially single button operation. Powering up automatically self-levels the laser and once level (or nearly level) it will start to rotate. The only real feature is Height Alert or Tilt in other brands language. This operates like Tilt on a pinball machine, a significant jolt or movement will cause the laser to stop rotating. Small movements will make the Height Alert LED flash and the laser will continually re-level itself.

This model is powered by standard “D” cell batteries (ideally alkaline) although you can purchase re-chargeable Ni-MH battery pack and charger at a fairly high price if you wish. The receiver supplied is the LS-80L which is good quality, compact receiver. Although, personally I would have liked to see some rubber protection on it like other manufactures. However, it does seem to take a fair amount of abuse and the staff clamp that comes with it is more sturdy than most.

The 5B has a working range of 400m diameter and has a laser class of 2 with <1mW output which for most applications is ample. Accuracy is rated at +/-20 arc seconds. Now Topcon is the only manufactures who use this scale, everyone else uses mm over m, e.g. +/- 2mm over 20m. I think every user can visualise this tolerance from the previous example but arc seconds very few will know. The reality is that 20 arc seconds (approx 2mm over 20m) is comparable to many other models out there and is perfectly accurate enough for most construction applications. Usually, the weakest link with the accuracy of a laser is human so in the real world, anything between 1mm to 3mm over 20m will produce similar results.

Topcon RL-H5A

The 5A model has the same features as the 5B with the addition of a rudimentary slope or grade feature. The two extra buttons allow the operator to slope the laser manually on one axis either up or down. To achieve this, the operator presses the buttons on the unit which means you require a second person to hold the laser receiver so you can match the new height. Most other manufactures will supply a remote control to allow a single person to easily do this function.

Again the 5A is powered by “D” cell standard batteries but is also often sold complete with rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and charger. The Topcon RL-H5A can be purchased with either the same LS-80L receiver the 5B gets or an LS-100 millimetre/ inch display receiver. Note the LS-100 also has a greater reception window this together with the graduated display makes coarse levelling much quicker.

LS-80L

LS-100

The 5A has a greater working range compared to the 5B of up to 800m diameter and in most markets has a laser class of 3r (previously known as 3a) with a <5mW output. Accuracy is rated at +/- 10 arc seconds (approximately +/- 1mm over 20m). Now, this is supposedly more accurate then the 5B, this is a little strange as both models share all the same internal components, as far as I could tell. This means there is no reason, I can see, for a difference in rating, apart for marketing. I would be very surprised if the factory when calibrating each of the models bothers to calibrate then differently.

Build Quality

Topcon has for many years have had a great reputation for build quality and as I have mentioned at the start this reputation was based largely on the RL-H3C. The 3C was built predominantly with steel components which provided great protection from knocks and drops. The 4C replaced some of these parts with plastic ones and the 5A/5B models have very little metal in them. If you get a chance to pick one up with no batteries in it you feel how light it is. This does not automatically make it less durable but personally, I prefer a steel-based construction. When comparing the 5A and 5B to many other manufacturers internal construction I would prefer the solidly built ones. I’ve also had reports of a couple of owners of a squealing sound from the rotation motor/ rotating head bearing. It does not appear to affect performance at this stage, but is a little disconcerting.

Topcon RL-H3C Metal Construction

Topcon RL-H5 Plastic Construction

Conclusions

Both these models are pretty basic when you talk about features. However, for most users, it’s all that is needed, no fancy grade features or complicated controls. Simply press the power button and you working. In terms of technology in how they work, nothing much has changed since the RL-H3C, again it’s pretty basic stuff but has passed the test of time in terms of reliability. Build quality has definitely reduced over the years and I’m not so convinced they will handle miss-use on-site as well as previous models.

For simple site levelling the RL-H5B is all you need, make sure you have a stock of spare “D” cell batteries handy though. If you may need slope capability on an occasional basis then go the H5A. If you are a heavy user then consider rechargeable batteries and the LS-100 receiver options. Or if you are setting grade on a regular basis then these models are not for you. Check out the Topcon RL-SV1s or RL-SV2S models if you like Topcon or some of the many competitive laser levels out on the market today.

Whilst talking about competitors, alternative brands to look at when looking at the RL-H5 series would include; Leica Rugby, Spectra Precision, Johnson Level, RedBack Lasers, Geo Fennel and other laser level specialist suppliers in your region. Some will provide more features, some better build quality and some better value for money. So it’s worth doing your own research to see which fits your needs and pocket the best.