LEVEL WITH ROTATING VIAL AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY

A level (20) including a rotating level vial is provided. The level (20) includes a locking mechanism (32) that utilizes an actuator (34) that engages a brake (40) to lock the rotating vial into the desired position. The locking mechanism (32) may include a spring element (39) that is compressed by the actuator (34) during locking, and the spring element (39) in turn pushes against the brake (40) facilitating control of the normal force that the brake (40) applies to the vial surround of the rotating vial. The rotating level vial may engage the level body such that the rotating level vial is permitted to rotate 360 degrees in both the clockwise and counter clockwise directions.