Optotronics

ok I am confused, what is better, the 225 ppl or the 200 rpl. They look almost Identical in output power

Hi Nik,
The RPL is basically the 2nd generation of the PPL, it is a better / newer design. Use rechargeable lithium-ion cells, has a 2.5Watt IR diode vs. the 1.2Watt diode that the PPL uses. RPL also uses higher quality/purity of crystal.

One other deciding factor between the PPL-225 & RPL-200 is that the PPL-225 is not currently in stock, in fact I may delist the PPL-225 as it has been several months since I've even been able to get one in stock.

The RPL-200 is a great laser for the price it will easily outperform the Spyder II (or at least 99% of them and maybe all of them) as far as output power, beam quality and divergence go.

You might read around as I posted in a forum the other day about the RPL.
Stating it's our best bang for the buck laser so to speak. Average output power over time is usually greater than 230mW, has a standard 12 month warranty and an 8mW premium 532nm pointer is included if you mention the bonus pointer in the payment notes.

If you have any other questions, please ask and we will answer them as quickly as possible.
If you would like to talk in person, we also now have a toll free sales and support line.
1-866-473-0532 (easy to remember 473 (wavelength of blue laser), and green laser 0532.
Our business hours are 9:00am - 6:00pm Monday-Friday, but I will return calls outside of these hours as time permits. The toll free support line is not yet shown on our website, but will be updated this weekend to include the new number.

OK. Should I get an Optotronics 300mW RPL or a NovaLasers Nova300? They look pretty similar to me.

Same question about Optotronics RPL260 v Nova250. Both look pretty similar; rechargeables, hard case, very similar output although Optotronics uses a 2.5W diode and Nova says a 2W diode. Optotronics specifies a duty cycle, Nova does not (that I can see).

What would the gurus here recommend?

I cannot give you an educated answer on that question - other than to say, that both companies have plans on sending me some units to review soon, so if it is a matter of comparison, and waiting - hang tight until the units are recived and reviewed ! I know - more waiting, right ? Unfortunately, I do not have any first hand experience with either of those units, though - sorry I am not much help until I get my hands on one to test out.

Both units are respectable. The general idea is that you can expect a better duty cycle from the Aries/Nova, but they will also be more cumbersome to use and a little larger. Also, the RPL lasers appear to have better beam specs - definitely better average divergence, although the Aries/Nova may have a slightly tighter initial beam diameter. Price may play into it too, not sure.

Its a tough decision, but you'll be getting an awesome, tried-and-true laser either way so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

On another note: Jack, that has got to be the lamest phone number ever

Awe, come on, Pseudo ! That is an AWESOME phone number ! you are just mad since you didnt think of it ! LOL !!!

Thanks Senkat and Pseudo.

Why do you say, Pseudo, that maybe a better duty cycle form the Nova? I could not see ANY mention of duty cycle from Nova - maybe its just no better than the RPL but Nova simply don't specify???

Well the rpl has a current/heat protection circuit.. it tends to be a bit aggressive. The nova series are just aries lasers with a larger diode, That tells me that they are going to get hot faster, and as far as I know they don't have any protection at all besides common sense. That said the rpl will turn itself off to protect itself while the nova would probably run as long as you felt like it, but to the detriment of the lasers long term health.

If runtime is really that important and you are looking at the rpl 300, you might even give the a low end herc a look. it'll run forever it has no duty cycle and it has an external power option. Also,for the most part they will run significantly beyond their rating for the first few minutes of runtime.

I really couldn't decide myself so now I have them all. Although I've never paid full sticker price for any of my personal lasers, I just wait until I can get a good deal or start making offers.

Thanks Aseras. I have thought about the Herc but it is so much bigger in physical size than the RPL etc and uses D batteries. I have chargers and lots of rechargeable batteries in AAA and AA (which I use in my EnVee) and I don't really want to get in to more sizes and thus more chargers. Hence lasers which come with their own rechargeables and charger such as the Nova and RPL are somewhat attractive. From what you say, I think I like the sound of the protection circuit in the RPL best and it has a larger diode which suggests longer life. I guess I would probably only ever want to run it for a minute or two or three on constantly anyway and from the specs of a 5/2 min duty cycle that sounds more than adequate.

You are a laser physicist or similar, I seem to recall from some earlier thread - right?

Yes the herc is MUCH bigger than the rpl




edit: added this pic since I have a aries/nova type size laser. That one is actually the 1.1 watt Hades-808 I have..

Hard to believe I've got almost $3k worth of lasers sitting there


The herc, while bigger it is also a completely diffrent beast. The RPL is about the best handheld fun laser money can buy. It's still my favorite. The herc's forte is that it's more like a lab module, it has ttl, external power , stability and a indefinite runtime. It's got a larger beam, but it also has some damn good divergance. I can shoot it off my front porch and I'd swear the dot never spreads, I've got a tower about a mile away and I can see the RPL quite well on it, but the herc is tiny, but very bright. The rpl's fine beam is great for fun, but does loose out over distance as it has to obey the laws of physics and diverge.

Laser physicist.. yeah similar ( not really ) optical & systems engineer. I love science, but I'm not so keen on math. Just enough to get the job done.

DAMN! That thing is a BEAST! And the way you describe it... it is one hell of an attractive laser!!

--DDL

i know i am bunping up a kind of old post but how hot does the rpl have to get before it shuts off . if you have and rpl 325 how long would it take for the laser to shut it's self off i want ot get all of the info i can i am saving to get one in the future. i don't want to have it on all of the time but i don't want it shutting off on me about 1 min into doing and experiement like power testing and such. and dose the 5 min. on and 2 min off duty cycle an accurate description of the time it will take for the laser to shut it's self off. also will repeatedly getting the laser hot enought to shut its self off damage the circut or any other part of the laser

sorry for all of the questions but i want to know all i can becore i buy and weigh out the pros and cons of different higher power lasers

Not too many questions rubberband. I will be interested in the answers too.

rubberband said:

i know i am bunping up a kind of old post but how hot does the rpl have to get before it shuts off . if you have and rpl 325 how long would it take for the laser to shut it's self off i want ot get all of the info i can i am saving to get one in the future. i don't want to have it on all of the time but i don't want it shutting off on me about 1 min into doing and experiement like power testing and such. and dose the 5 min. on and 2 min off duty cycle an accurate description of the time it will take for the laser to shut it's self off. also will repeatedly getting the laser hot enought to shut its self off damage the circut or any other part of the laser

sorry for all of the questions but i want to know all i can becore i buy and weigh out the pros and cons of different higher power lasers

Click to expand...

Hi rubberband,
For the adjustable RPL-325 with it's diode current tuned to it's optimum level for maximum visual output, the 5 minutes on time before letting it cool for a couple of minutes is a conservative run time for RPL units built in the past 6 months. Many owners can run theirs until the battery needs recharging (>25-30 minutes) and thus never shut down due heat. More than anything, the reason for the shutdown is the large current draw on the lithium-ion cell and the circuit built into the laser to prevent the over discharge of the lithium cell, which can be dangerous. (you can find more info on this current adjustment in my post in this thread.
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187349147/2#2

There are never too many questions, that's why we these forums exist...to share and exchange information.

Jack
feature by searching the forums here for my previous posts on the subject or call me at Optotronics in person during our business hours)

wow cool that answered alot of questions right there
thanks alot bootleg sounds like you got a great product on your hands i can't wait to have it in mine! i still have quite a bit of money to raise but still count on my purchse in the future

oh yea and which one would you personally recomend programable or not

i think i will get the programable verson but i just what to know what you think

Asking someone to choose the favorite between their kids is a bit tough... :

J/K

--DDL