Paid $2,400 to learn the search bar exists, my mom would be so proud.

I read a thread on a masonry forum a while back where a guy did a side by side test on a 60 foot run. He set up his laser on one end and ran string on the other, and by course ten the string had sagged enough to throw him off a quarter inch while the laser line never moved. That sold me more than any salesman ever could. String still has its place when you are working in tight spots or the wind is not a factor, but on a long wall the sag and the stretch will get you every time. The old timers I know swear by a story pole and I get it, that is how they were taught. But I will take the laser on anything over 20 feet from now on.

Did you ever go back and check how far off your ear was on those first ones? I did the same thing for years until a buddy showed me how the mark lets you see if the tube walks out while you're rolling, which the sound alone won't tell you. Twelve bucks for a marker that saves you a re-roll on a bad seat is about the cheapest lesson you'll ever get.