Dropped my laser level from 12ft - still works perfect! What's your 'torture test' story?

OP here. Was setting up for a ceiling grid install yesterday on a commercial job. Had my DeWalt DW088K laser level on an extension pole, clipped to my belt. Turned around too fast and the whole thing went flying - hit concrete from about 12 feet up. Case cracked, battery popped out, thought it was toast. Picked it up, popped the battery back in... dead nuts level still. These pro-grade tools are worth every penny. Anyone else have a tool that survived what it shouldn't have?

Wow that's crazy! I have the opposite story lol. Bought one of those $40 Amazon special laser levels for tiling my bathroom. Dropped it from like 3 feet onto carpet and it started projecting at a 5 degree angle. Had to return it. Maybe I should save up for the DeWalt... but man that's like 4x the price. Do you think the mid-range ones from Harbor Freight would hold up better?

Tim - not surprised at all. Our DeWalt impacts get dropped off ladders weekly and keep ticking. Carl - HF's Bauer line is actually decent for DIY, but if you're doing anything critical, spend the money. Had a helper drop my Fluke multimeter into a condensate pan last month. Dried it out for 3 days, still reads perfect. Good tools don't just work - they survive the idiots (present company included 😂).

Carl - Hank's right. For occasional DIY, Bauer or even the Hercules line will be fine. But if you're doing multiple projects or anything where level REALLY matters (cabinets, tile, etc), buy once cry once. My DeWalt laser has been through 5 years of jobsite abuse. The cheap ones can't take the thermal cycling or impacts. Seen too many guys waste time re-measuring because their tool drifted.

Thanks guys! Maybe I'll ask for one for my birthday lol. My wife's gonna love that... 'honey I need a $300 laser level' 😅. At least now I know why my tile lines were always slightly off last year!