Laser or LED Blade system for miter saw

[buildintechie]

All-

I'd like to get (for christmas) a laser for my dewalt 12" miter saw, and when I was looking online, noticed another system that casts a shadow to show where the blade will go. Has anybody experienced either of these two systems? What do you think of them?

Thanks

Laser system
http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industr...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1291939369&sr=1-1

LED system (casts shadow)
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWS708...EDD8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1291937781&sr=8-3

 

[MarkE]

Jeff, both of your links go to the same product.

But, the led shadow system looks pretty cool. It looks like it will operate without have to run the saw blade. All of the laser systems I have seem require the blade to be be spinning.

Unfortunately for me, the LED system is not designed to work on my old DW708. :wsad:

 

[buildintechie]

Fixed link

 

[MarkE]

My SIL's Ryobi mitre saw has the laser guide. It also works only when the blade is spinning. I did not like having the blade spinning while I was trying to position the work piece. It didn't feel safe to me.

That LED system looks pretty cool, if it will work on your saw.

 

[CaptnA]

If you are interested, I have one of the Irwin ones. It was given to me and wouldn't fit my saw. Its a great idea and I wish it had worked out.

 

[Joe Scharle]

I have a LaserKerf on mine. Mounts under the dust chute and needs to be wiped off from time to time. Operates w/o the spinning blade. Adjusts for blade width. Even so, I still cut mostly to a line.

 

[Cato]

I like an independent switched laser. Also is nice to be able to position it on either side of the blade if needed.
I tend to leave mine on one side most of the time, and cut to a line when on the other side of the kerf for the odd cut or so.
Trying to postion with a spinning blade would be a big red flag to me.

 

[Charlie]

The LED System is great. It has a seperate switch so it works independently from the saw. Turn it on and leave it on if you wish. It lights up both sides of the blade. This allows changing blades without having to worry about alignment. No need to worry about which side of a lazer line you are on.