"One thing that worked for me was setting up a little shade canopy or even just rigging up some cardboard to block direct sun off the target area"
Yeah, that shade trick saved me too...especially since my laser is definitely on the budget side. Haven't tried batter boards yet, but your description makes them sound worth a shot next time. Thanks for the tip!
Shade definitely helps, but honestly, batter boards are a total game changer. I used to eyeball everything and trust my laser (also budget-friendly, lol), but once I started using batter boards, my walls got way straighter. They're a bit of a pain to set up at first, but totally worth the effort. Give 'em a shot next time—your future self will thank you when you're not fighting crooked walls halfway through framing...trust me on this one.
"They're a bit of a pain to set up at first, but totally worth the effort."
I agree batter boards are helpful, but I've found that combining them with a good quality laser level really streamlines the process. Have you experimented with different laser levels or found any particular model more reliable for outdoor builds? I've noticed some cheaper lasers struggle in bright sunlight, making accuracy tricky...curious about your experience there.
I've tried a few different laser levels outdoors, and you're right—cheaper ones can be pretty useless in bright sunlight. What worked best for me was using a green-beam laser instead of red; they're way easier to see outside. Also, pairing it with a reflective target card helps a ton. If you're serious about accuracy, investing in something like the Bosch GRL400H or similar rotary lasers is worth every penny...makes the whole setup quicker and way less frustrating.
