Myzox CL-28 CL-36 Auto Level vs Total Station for Construction Survey Malaysia
Myzox CL-28 CL-36 Auto Level vs Total Station for Construction Survey Malaysia
Should a contractor use an Auto Level or Total Station for construction surveying?
Both are professional surveying instruments, but they are designed for different measurement tasks.
The Myzox CL-28 and CL-36 Auto Levels are primarily designed for optical leveling, elevation measurement and benchmark transfer. A Total Station provides additional capabilities for measuring angles, distances and coordinates.
For many construction and civil engineering projects, these instruments are not direct replacements for each other. They can perform complementary roles on the same job site.
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd. is an authorized distributor of Myzox in Malaysia, supplying professional surveying instruments and accessories.
What Does an Auto Level Measure?
An auto level establishes a horizontal optical line of sight.
Used together with a leveling staff, it allows the operator to determine elevation differences between different points.
Typical applications include:
Benchmark transfer
Foundation leveling
Finished floor levels
Road formation
Drainage levels
Earthworks
Excavation checking
Building construction
Civil engineering leveling
If the primary requirement is elevation control, an auto level can provide a straightforward solution.
What Does a Total Station Measure?
A Total Station is an electronic surveying instrument capable of measuring horizontal and vertical angles together with distances.
Depending on the model, software and surveying method, the measurements can be used to determine:
Coordinates
Horizontal distances
Elevation differences
Positions
Angles
Setting-out points
Total Stations are commonly used for construction layout, topographic surveys and engineering surveying.
Auto Level vs Total Station
The main difference is the scope of measurement.
Auto Level
Primarily designed for precise optical leveling and elevation difference measurement.
Total Station
Designed for angle, distance and coordinate measurement as well as a wider range of surveying and setting-out applications.
If a contractor only needs to transfer levels, using a Total Station for every simple leveling task may not always be necessary.
Why Are Auto Levels Still Used When Total Stations Exist?
Total Stations are far more advanced, but that does not make an auto level obsolete.
Construction sites frequently need straightforward elevation checks.
For example:
Is the excavation at the correct level?
Has the foundation reached the required elevation?
Is the concrete slab at the correct level?
Is the drain invert correct?
Has the road formation reached design level?
For these tasks, an optical auto level remains practical.
Myzox CL-28 for General Construction Leveling
The Myzox CL-28 is suitable for routine construction leveling.
Key specifications include:
Magnification: 28X
Objective Aperture: 36 mm
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.4 m
1 km Double-Run Leveling Accuracy: ±2.0 mm
Self-Leveling Range: ±15′
Horizontal Circle: 360°
Weight: Approximately 1.3 kg
Typical applications include:
Building construction
Foundation work
Drainage
Site leveling
Earthworks
Benchmark transfer
Myzox CL-36 for Higher-Accuracy Leveling
The Myzox CL-36 provides a higher specification.
Magnification: 36X
Objective Aperture: 36 mm
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.4 m
1 km Double-Run Leveling Accuracy: ±1.0 mm
Self-Leveling Range: ±15′
Horizontal Circle: 360°
Weight: Approximately 1.3 kg
Its 36X magnification and ±1.0 mm leveling specification make it attractive for larger civil engineering and infrastructure applications.
Which Is Better for Benchmark Transfer?
For dedicated differential leveling and benchmark transfer, an auto level is specifically designed for the task.
The operator observes a leveling staff from different instrument positions and transfers elevation references across the site.
A Total Station can also determine elevations, but the measurement workflow and error considerations are different.
The appropriate instrument should be selected according to the project's surveying method and required accuracy.
Which Is Better for Setting Out Coordinates?
A Total Station is the appropriate choice when the work involves coordinate-based setting out.
Examples include:
Building corners
Columns
Structural positions
Road alignments
Engineering points
Coordinate control
The Myzox CL-28 and CL-36 are not intended to replace a Total Station for coordinate setting-out work.
Which Is Better for Foundation Leveling?
For checking and transferring foundation elevations, an auto level can be a very practical choice.
The CL-28 may be sufficient for routine building construction.
For applications requiring higher magnification or a higher specified leveling accuracy, the CL-36 can be considered.
Which Is Better for Road Construction?
Road construction may require both instruments.
Auto Level
Useful for:
Formation levels
Earthworks
Drainage levels
Benchmark transfer
Elevation checking
Total Station
Useful for:
Road alignment
Coordinate setting out
Position measurement
Cross-section surveying
Engineering layout
Using both instruments allows the survey team to select the most suitable equipment for each task.
Which Is Easier for Basic Leveling?
For a worker trained in traditional optical leveling, an auto level provides a straightforward workflow:
Set up the tripod.
Level the instrument.
Focus on the staff.
Take the backsight.
Take the foresight.
Calculate the elevation.
A Total Station provides much more functionality, but it also involves electronic operation, measurement settings and more advanced surveying procedures.
Does an Auto Level Need Batteries?
The Myzox CL-28 and CL-36 are optical automatic levels.
Their basic optical leveling operation does not depend on batteries or electronic distance measurement.
This simplicity can be useful for regular construction-site leveling.
A Total Station is an electronic instrument and requires a charged battery for operation.
Can an Auto Level Replace a Total Station?
No, not for all surveying tasks.
An auto level cannot replace a Total Station when you need:
Electronic distance measurement
Coordinate measurement
Angle measurement
Coordinate setting out
Advanced engineering survey functions
Its strength is dedicated optical leveling.
Can a Total Station Replace an Auto Level?
A Total Station can perform elevation-related measurements, but that does not necessarily mean an auto level becomes unnecessary.
For companies that frequently perform traditional leveling, maintaining a dedicated auto level can still be practical.
Many professional survey teams therefore own both.
Which Instrument Should a Contractor Buy First?
It depends on the type of work.
If the main requirement is:
Foundation, drainage, earthwork and elevation checking:
Consider an Auto Level.
If the requirement includes:
Coordinates, angles, distances and setting out:
Consider a Total Station.
If the company performs a broad range of construction surveying, having access to both can provide greater flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an auto level the same as a Total Station?
No. An auto level is primarily designed for optical leveling, while a Total Station measures angles and distances and supports coordinate-based surveying.
Can the Myzox CL-28 measure coordinates?
No. The CL-28 is an optical automatic level, not a coordinate-measuring Total Station.
Can the CL-36 measure distance electronically?
No. The CL-36 does not function as an electronic distance meter.
Which is better for elevation measurement?
It depends on the required surveying procedure. For traditional differential leveling and benchmark transfer, an auto level is specifically designed for the task.
Which is better for setting out a building?
Coordinate-based building setting out is normally a Total Station application, while an auto level can support elevation control.
Should a surveying company have both?
For companies handling varied construction surveying work, having both an auto level and Total Station can be useful because the instruments serve different purposes.
Myzox Auto Level Supplier Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies Myzox CL-28, CL-36 and professional surveying equipment in Malaysia.
As an authorized distributor of Myzox in Malaysia, we support contractors, civil engineers and survey professionals looking for suitable equipment for construction surveying and leveling work.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
WhatsApp: +6016-6607346
Contact MTM Precision for enquiries about the Myzox CL-28, CL-36 Auto Level and professional surveying equipment in Malaysia.
16 Aug 2026
