Review laser level Firecore F113XG (XR)

The new compact laser level Firecore F113XG with a green beam, and with the prefix “XR” – with red.

This model projects two planes with a scan of more than 110°, is charged and powered by the mains, and has a number of additional functions, which we will discuss in more detail in the review.

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Technical specifications

• Accuracy: ± 3mm/10m (± 1/9 in. At 33 ft)
• Working distance: 20m* Green / 18m* Red (*100LUX)
• Range with receiver: 70 m (diameter)
• Compensator working range: ± 3°
• TILT function: yes
• Dust and moisture protection: IP55
• Laser class: II, <1mW
• Wavelength: XG (510-520nm) / XR (635-650nm)
• Power supplies: Ni-MH 1.2V 1000mAh / LR6 1.5V (AA batteries) / mains
• Working time from 1.2V 1000mAh (all planes): XG ≥ 5 hours / XR ≥ 20 hours
• Mounting thread: 1/4″
• Working temperature: 0°C ~ + 40°C
• Storage temperature: -20°C ~ + 60°C
• Box size: 13.6×11.5×7.5cm
• Kit weight with magnetic mount: 511 grams
• Kit weight without mount: 436 grams
• Minimum distance from the horizon:
  to the floor – 5cm
  to the ceiling – 4cm
• Minimum distance from vertical to wall: 3.1cm

Housing Firecore F113-XG (XR)

The Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level is assembled very well: thick composite plastic, perfect matching of parts, thick high-quality rubber, this is what is immediately visible at first glance.

In the lower part of the housing there is a Type-C connector for charging batteries or working from the mains, which is closed with a rubber pad.

Never plug the appliance into an outlet when it is equipped with simple AA batteries.

In the Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level, one emitter is installed on both planes. This is both a plus and a minus. The most important advantage is the simplest calibration of accuracy at a coaxial offset. Literally 5 minutes and the level is adjusted.

But there is a big difficulty when setting up emoticons (this is when the lines go in an arc from the fact that the prism is not strictly perpendicular to the beam).

Here you can not do without a special collimator stand.

However, it should be added that such situations with emoticons can occur only after strong blows, so they are extremely rare.

Another disadvantage is that you can not switch the planes separately, since one emitter shines directly on two small prisms from the vertical and horizontal planes.

And thirdly, if you eventually burn out the laser emitter, then both planes will stop burning at once. What can not be said about two-plane levels with two emitters, for example, the excellent Huepar BOX-1G laser level with a larger vertical plane scan.

In general, as it is not cool, but laser levels with one emitter on both planes should be attributed to household, not professional devices.

At the base of the Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level is a battery compartment with a non-removable cover, which is undoubtedly a plus. And also neatly integrated brass sleeve with a 1/4-inch thread, for mounting on various accessories.

In general, there are no complaints about the build quality of the housing, everything is done very cool.

Magnetic compensator

The Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level is equipped with a standard pendulum-type magnetic compensator. It takes about 4 seconds to set the compensator to its working position.

In the range of ± 3° in all directions, the compensator will automatically align to the exact vertical position. If the allowed degree is exceeded, the laser lines will start flashing rapidly. In order for the line to start burning again statically, it is necessary to put the device on a more smooth surface.

The entire automatic leveling system is mounted on a special frame, and all supports have additional stiffeners. This is very convenient when calibrating the laser level.

Thanks to this construction, when disassembling the housing, the compensator remains fully operational, and the device itself can be turned on. In this way, you can make a setup and immediately see the result.

Calibration of the laser level

A small coaxial displacement of up to 5 mm of both planes, it is best to fix the adjustment bolts on the pendulum. They are responsible for fine-tuning. But here you will encounter some flaw in Firecore, namely the lack of these alignment bolts.

There is nothing wrong with this, such hexagon bolts can be found, but it still brings inconvenience.

The bolt must be headless so that it can move in the body of the pendulum. (see the photo below)

Then everything is simple. If it is necessary to raise or lower the horizontal plane, then twist the longitudinal adjustment bolt on the pendulum.

The vertical or horizontal tilt to the right or left is corrected by a transverse adjustment bolt on the pendulum.

Also, the slope of the planes can be corrected with small hexagon bolts that hold the entire laser module directly.

The upper and lower two bolts each unfold the module (adjust the slope of the planes), and one bolt in the center holds the module rod.

Calibration with these bolts is usually done with large deviations. That is, they are used for coarse adjustment.

To achieve high accuracy – after rough adjustment, use the adjustment bolts on the pendulum.

Control laser level Firecore F113XG (XR)

You can turn on the device either with a toggle switch or with a button on the top, let’s start with the toggle switch.

It has two positions:

1. “open lock” – the compensator is unlocked, the laser planes are lit;
2. “closed lock” – the device is turned off, the compensator is locked.

The laser level is ready for further transport.

By the way, the pendulum locks very well.

When the laser level is turned off by the toggle switch, hold the top button for 3 seconds. The planes illuminate when the compensator is locked, for marking at any arbitrary slope. This is the TILT function. (In this mode, the lines blink once every 5 seconds)

To exit this mode, press the button again for 3 seconds or turn the device on/off with the toggle switch.

Another purpose of the button on the top is to activate the receiver mode.

*Note. This mode can only be enabled when the compensator is unlocked.

Turn on the laser level with the toggle switch and hold the button for 3 seconds, until the laser lines blink 3 times, and start to light up a little dimmer. After that, you can work with the receiver.

There is an indicator on top of the button, it flashes red in two situations:

1. when the slope exceeds the range of operation of the compensator;
2. when the batteries are low.

Functionality

Of course, to compare the functionality of the two-plane level with 3D (3×360°), for example, Firecore F94T-XG or even more 4D (4×360°), for example, Huepar S04CG with Bluetooth makes no sense.

Nevertheless, the Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level is capable of a lot. With it, you can perform a huge range of finishing works. Yes, it will not be as convenient and clear as with the above laser levels, but still there is such a possibility.

It should also be noted the maximum power variation, the ability to work with the receiver in the outdoors, and the full TILT function.

Comparison table with competitors

Technical data	Firecore F113XG	Huepar 5011G
Accuracy, mm/m	± 3mm / 10m (± 1/9 in. At 33 ft)	± 3mm / 10m (± 1/9 in. At 33 ft)
Compensator range, °	± 3°	± 3.5°
Range without / with receiver	20* (100LUX) / 70Ø	25* (100LUX) / 100Ø
Dust and moisture protection	IP55	IP54
Tilt function	+	+
Work with the detector	+	+
Working from an outlet	+	+
Power supply	2AA (LR6), Ni-MH 1.2V 1000mAh	Built-in Li-ion 3.7V 1500mAh
Working temperature	0°С to + 40°С	-10°С to + 50°С

* – a conditional indicator that directly depends on the degree of illumination both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, under normal lighting conditions, the green laser levels of all manufacturers will be visible at a distance of 30-40 meters.

Laser line thickness at different distances

In this test, there are significant differences in brightness between the red and green color of the laser. Green is much brighter than red at all distances, although this is not so noticeable in the photo.

In terms of thickness, the lines are thin in both models.

At a short distance, the thickness of the line in red appears thinner, about 1 millimeter. The green line is also thin, it’s just brighter, and therefore a little thicker – 1.5 mm.

The five-meter distance in thickness showed the same result. Both lines are about 1 millimeter long. It always seems thicker in the photo.

And at a great distance of 10 meters, the line thickness is just over 2,5 millimeters.

In the video below, you can see some twitching of the lines. This effect is found in almost all laser levels with a pendulum magnetic compensator, regardless of the brand.

The only exceptions are laser levels with an electronic compensator, for example, Huepar DT03CG or Firecore FIR-GL8-EA.

Contents of delivery

You can purchase the Firecore F113XG (XR) laser level in two versions:

• Basic kit: device, bag, 2 pcs Ni-MH 1.2 V 1000mAh battery, USB/Type-C charging cable and English manual.

• Advanced kit: everything is the same as in the basic kit, only a magnetic wall mount is added as a plus.

Pros and cons

Low-cost, high-quality assembly and materials, thin laser lines, maximum number of power sources, mains operation, receiver operation mode, tilt function with a locked compensator, easy calibration, convenient disassembly of the case, increased IP55 protection.

There is no power supply in the kit, in the extended kit the mount barely fits into the bag, one emitter on both planes.

Video review laser level Firecore F113XG (XR)