In the non-square, non-level, non-plumb world we live in, the Stanley FatMax laser level is one of the handiest tools I own. Can't remember what I paid for it—mine is way outdated—but it was less than a hundred bucks, and X/Y only.

On the other end of the cost scale, a California-based company called Origin Laser Tools produces extremely expensive high-end laser levels. Optomechanical engineer Tim Litvin started the company in 2010 with the aim of making laser levels that would be the best of the best—with locally-sourced parts and construction:

Our laser's mechanical parts are CNC-milled by a local machine shop, a local circuit board manufacturer fabricates and assembles our custom electronics... even the hand-checkered wooden grips are the product of a local craftsman. Almost every other component is also made in the United States. The components are finally assembled, by hand, here in Santa Cruz...

Our laser tools are an investment, made by craftsmen, for craftsmen. We hope they'll become a tool that you'll look forward to using, every day.

Origin's cream of the crop is their insane-looking Cornerstone Classic LE, a no-expense-spared self-leveling model that's accurate to within 1/16th of an inch over a 100-foot distance. The holster-able, three-pound device fires X, Y and Z planes through "diamond-turned aspheric optics," the servo motors are brushless, the charging contacts for the lithium-ion batteries are gold-plated. The body is made from stainless steel and aluminum, and you've got your choice of wood for the inlays ranging from Teak to Zebrawood to freaking Figured Bubinga and more. Add it all up and you're looking at a retail price of five large.

Those looking to save a grand can drop down to the Cornerstone Classic non-Limited-Edition model, which retails for $4,000; its made from 6061 aluminum rather than the 7075 aluminum of the LE, but is otherwise identical.

Finally, for those who can do without the self-leveling and the fancy body, there's the more utilitarian-looking and far less expensive Laser Cube ML-3, which'll set you back $995.

Ironically, company founder Litvin lives someplace where nothing is ever technically level, as the entire structure is always moving: He lives on a sailboat. Here's his back story, the origin of the company and more about the tools: