Review: Devil Cyber 405nm - 500mW Focusable Violet Laser Pointer

jander6442 said:

Man this is horrible I sure would like to know what diode they used. I don't see why they push a diode so hard then rely on the end user to adhere to strict duty cycles. I say use the baddest diode and throttle it down charge a little extra if you have to, all that waiting for shipping and hoping that you get a good one, customs, for what a horribly overdriven diode that blows just when you start enjoying it. Oh well, gut that sucker and use it for parts.

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I didn't even think to ask at the time which diode they use. I do know it's a 5.6mm in these. But even with the baddest diodes available installed, you can bet they will be severely overdriven to even higher power. They don't stick to the overdriving limits that most experienced hobbiests here on LPF use.

The problems with longevity is sort of our own doing really. The laser buying public is always demanding more and more powerful handheld lasers. That is the driving force behind them pushing these laser diodes well beyond the limits. Most manufacturers DO NOT CARE if the laser dies in the hands of the customer, as long as the sales are made. THAT is their business model, not quality control or customer satisfaction. They just assemble them for the resellers. It is the resellers that have to deal with the customers. Some of the resellers (like Laserer) actually know more about lasers than most manufacturers that assemble them.

The other side of the coin is them dealing with govt regulations and optical power limits. The public still wants high power, but they have to label as lower power for customs. So this is why most sold as 5mW lasers are really overspec. Some manufacturers will sell the same medium power lasers as 5mW models. Sometimes they turn the driver power down, sometimes they don't. It can make for some very good deals for those of us that know what we're doing.

Bottom line is, if you want both high power AND longevity, build your own. Or buy one of these 500+mW units and turn it down to a more realistic power level.

Bob

Wish I had read this before I ordered this exact item from Lazerer. Hopefully I will have better luck then you did.

Eric

Talin said:

Wish I had read this before I ordered this exact item from Lazerer. Hopefully I will have better luck then you did.

Eric

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If you follow the strict duty cycles 30s on 60s off it should last a while

boop dead. another one bites the dust

Sounds like a real winner here. I will follow the 30 sec on 60sec off for a little bit, but that will drive me nuts more then likely. I may just turn the power down and live with it.

Eric

For those that want to turn down the power, or replace the laser diode, it requires a sort of unique press to get the heatsink assembly out of the host barrel. It must be pressed from the battery end to get it out. A press must push on both sides with a wide slot to avoid damage to the driver. Alternatively, a hammer and thin metal rod or screwdriver can be used with a lot of risk of further damage. Hit on alternate sides to prevent the heatsink assembly from tilting too much and lodging in the barrel. It takes a LOT of force to get it out! I made a press tool from a cut piece of tubing. I remove the foam ring from the battery spring with a hook tool.

The only reason I even bothered with these hosts is I liked the waterproof build style. The manufacturers in China sure have a lot of styles to choose from, but not many that are sealed so well for use in wet environments. Before buying one, the manufacturer let me dunk it to one meter in a tank of water and then check its interior for quality of seal. I ended up buying two of them, a 500mW 405nm and a 1.5W 445nm. I killed the laser diode in the 445nm one while driving the heatsink assembly back in with a hammer after turning the power down. The shock force caused the driver mounting glue to break loose and the driver board moving pulled the positive pin loose from the laser diode. So I speak from experience when I say that a press is much better.

Bob

Bob_Boyce said:

For those that want to turn down the power, or replace the laser diode, it requires a sort of unique press to get the heatsink assembly out of the host barrel. It must be pressed from the battery end to get it out. A press must push on both sides with a wide slot to avoid damage to the driver. Alternatively, a hammer and thin metal rod or screwdriver can be used with a lot of risk of further damage. Hit on alternate sides to prevent the heatsink assembly from tilting too much and lodging in the barrel. It takes a LOT of force to get it out! I made a press tool from a cut piece of tubing. I remove the foam ring from the battery spring with a hook tool.
Bob

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Thanks for the information, very helpful :beer:

Eric