Hi Jim and Patrick
not exactly pocket sized, but Bosch do a 2 foot long level which
has an electronic readout via an LCD panel on its side. It has
bubbles on the side as well so you can use it as an ordinary level,
but also get a read out in %s or percentages. It is a DNM60L and
mine cost about 70 pounds sterling. I also have a spirit level based
one that has an adjustable foot on one end, this is very accurate
but a bit fiddly to adjust the foot mechanism, it is about 18 inches
long. The electronic one is easier to use in terms of giving a
reading, but you end up having to convert it for those more used to
gradients in the scale of 1 in 15 and is also very accurate. In fact
whilst I was constructing some ramps in my back garden we
tested them and found that they were very sensitive and even small
bumps and blemishes in the paving surface lead to false readings.
This I would think is what prevents a very small version being
produced - the length of the level improves the amount of the slope
covered and thus averages out the irregularities (besides you tend
to see the level not touching the surface aloing its length. If you are
using one of the type of levels it is best to check at several points
along the slope as it might vary.
I got the electronic one from a surveying catalogue that fell out of a
magazine, but can find the address if you need it from work. The
inclinometer spirit level came from the Centre for Accessible
Environments in London and I think they now charge about sixty
pounds for them. I have just got it from the shed and it is a
Gradlevel 36 made by Himark of Leamington Spa, England. It has
quite a useful chart on the side to work out its reading to gradients
and %s.
hope this helps
marcus
"I am not a genius, but I am a terrific package of experience." Buckminster Fuller
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|