The Best Automatic (Dumpy) Levels of 2023 for under £200

This is my list of the best automatic (dumpy) levels for 2023 that are currently available for under £200. With inflation currently running high, this is a much more condensed list for 2023 as there are fewer automatic (dumpy) levels available for under £200.

Paying under £200 for a precision piece of equipment can be a risky thing to do. All the automatic (dumpy) levels listed here are basic levels that are accurate over a range of about 30m. They are good bits of kit for Self Builds and small construction projects.

There are more automatic (dumpy) levels available for under £200, but I can’t recommend them. Steinberg Systems is one that has appeared this year, but the levels that they are offering are very old technology. I find with these cheaper, older technology levels they don’t stay level for very long. This leads to errors happening and this is costly.

The aim of this article is to provide you with the best auto levels for under £200 and for you to avoid the auto levels that are crap.

These automatic (dumpy) levels are what I think of as Builders Levels. But, if you are a site engineer or a surveyor, then you would be well served by investing in a more expensive automatic (dumpy) level.

A builder’s level, an engineer’s level, a surveyor’s level and a precise level are all types of automatic levels. The only difference is the price and the accuracy that can be achieved with them.

Best Auto Levels for Under £200

The best automatic (dumpy) levels for under £200 are

1.) Leica NA324

2.) Bosch GOL 20 D

3.) Huepar AL-32X

What are the selection criteria for being selected as the best automatic (dumpy) levels for under £200?

Well, the first criteria that these levels have, is that they must be available for under £200 Including VAT at the time of publishing this article.

They should have a magnification of at least 20x and have an automatic compensator. They will also be one of the easiest and simplest of automatic (dumpy) levels to use.

To understand how these automatic (dumpy) levels work, I took one apart. Here is the article I wrote about how the automatic (dumpy) level works.

Why did I rank them in this order?

In first place.

1.) Leica NA324

The surprise on this list is the Leica NA324 and would be the one that I would buy and recommend for anyone buying their first automatic (dumpy) level. Why am I surprised that it is on the list? Well, it is priced under £200. The Leica NA324 is a very capable automatic (dumpy) level with a magnification of 24x, and certainly feels like an automatic (dumpy) level that is worth more than £200. The Leica NA324 is a very robust level that can cope with arduous conditions for a number of years.

The Leica NA324 would also be on my list for automatic (dumpy) levels for engineers looking for their first level, it’s that good for this price range. I would also consider the Leica NA320 automatic (dumpy) level with the 20x magnification.

Leica NA324

Leica NA324 Automatic Level

Built to last but at a price you can afford.

Any of the Leica NA300 series of automatic levels will serve you well. The accuracy you need and the durability you want.

24x magnification allows the easy reading of the E-Grad staff at any distance. From under 1m to over 30m from the instrument.

Stadia constant of 100 allows for easy distance calculations.

IP54 rating so the rain won't stop you from working.

 

In Second Place.

2.) Bosch GOL 26 D

The Bosch GOL 26 D automatic (dumpy) level comes in at second place. It has a greater magnification at 26x than the Leica NA324, but I just don’t think it will last as long as the Leica. 

It does have a compensator lock for safe transport. However, this could lead to levelling issues if it is not taken off prior to doing any levelling work. I prefer the compensator to always be free to avoid these issues.

Even without a compensator lock, if the level is treated with care and doesn’t suffer any knocks then rarely do I find they need calibrating.

Getting the Bosch GOL 26 D level is just as easy as levelling the Leica NA324 thanks to the eye level penta prism for viewing the circular vial on the body of the level. The Bosch GOL 26 D is still a very capable level.

Bosch GOL-20D

Bosch GOL-20D Auto Level.

IP54 Rating for use outdoors no matter what the weather.

Self-Locking Compensator for secure transportation.

20x magnification allows the easy reading of the E-Grad staff at any distance. From 1m to over 30m from the instrument.

Long 60m Working range.

Stadia constant of 100 allows for easy distance calculations.

 

In Third Place.

3.) Huepar AL-32X

The Huepar AL-32X is like the Bosch GOL 26 D, it’s quite easy to see. It has the same body as the Bosch GOL 26 D and a greater magnification yet cheaper.

The Huepar AL-32X has gone up considerably in price this year, but it is still the cheapest one in this line up. I think this auto level is a great option to have as a spare.

Huepar AL-32X

Huepar AL-32X Auto Level.

1.6mm Accuracy at 30m

32x magnification allows the easy reading of the E-Grad staff at any distance. From 1m to over 30m from the instrument.

Long Working range.

IP54 Rating for use outdoors no matter what the weather.

Stadia constant of 100 allows for easy distance calculations.

The Leica NA324 would be my choice.

The Top 5 Best Automatic (Dumpy) Levels for under £200 Including VAT. The Surprise of the list is the Leica NA324 and I think this represents superb value at this price.  The Leica NA3XX series of levels are robust and well-made and would serve any site well and would be my choice from this list over all the others.

The thing to remember is that with any automatic (dumpy) level that is under £200 is that any repair work needed to them is going to be more than the level is worth. And as calibration costs keep increasing the cost of this will soon outstrip the cost of the level.

Buying a good quality automatic (dumpy) level is just the start to achieving great levelling results. To get the best levelling results you need to use the equipment proficiently and make sure that it is checked regularly.

I have several ways that I can check auto levels quickly and easily out on site. These methods, along with the proper booking of levels, mean that I am sure that the levels I work out are as accurate as possible. Read about the 4 quick and easy checks on auto levels on this website.

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