150mW O-like "Cute" or 130mW WL E2 Evolution

I hate to start a new thread, but I have done the research yet I can't decide on which one, would like help from people who have experience with either or any useful information (please no WL bashing)

Since already have Arctic coming and a 200mW Blu-ray, I want a green for skypointing and long distances so low mRad would be nice, but want a solid beam for under $150 (budget is adjustable).

Links
NEW CUTE POCKET GREEN LASER 150MW /ADJUSTABLE

E2 Evolution Fusion 130mW

Cute - $99.99 @ 150mW. Adjustable, good reviews of 100mW, claimed to be a good "cheap laser." Click button is nice. Much cheaper than E2. divergence? According to review of 100mW version around 1.5mRad. Don't like the CR123A battery since expensive and not something I currently use.

E2 - $179 @ 130mW, <1.2mRad, much more expensive. Nicer more portable host. Accept "AA" battery which is a major plus for me. Already have many rechargeable "AA" I'm not using. Seems like most Evo's are actually overspec despite many stories of WL being under.

I already have a very expensive <1.2mRad 5mW Green and the divergence is awesome, but not a solid enough beam. On paper i like the E2 more, but is it worth the extra $80?
Is there really much of a difference?
is the E2 really <1.2mRad?
Why does everyone bash on WL? (I already know of the Arctic situation since i'm part of it and have been waiting for over a month, but they have been around a long time and many people still buying the lasers)

Both of these lasers are ones that I've looked at when searching for a green. I ended up settling on the o-like cute 150. For $100, you will not get any better. Also, I trust o-like and have enjoyed the service they have provided me so far. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of WL as well, but since $80 almost doubles the cost of the o-like pointer I don't see the point. While the specs are a bit better on paper, the o-like laser should do just fine in practice and if not you can /almost/ get a beam expander for $80 at DL.

All-in-all though, I just consider the o-like laser a better investment if you're looking for a nice, cheap green. Now, if you actually want an incredible laser, I'd go for either Optotronics' RPL or one of Glen's CNI group-buys.

I hope you enjoy whichever you decide, and post a review of course!

Thanks for the advice, you do bring up a good point that even though they are great lasers, they aren't high end. I'm glad someone replied that actually has one of the lasers.

One thing i can't find about that laser is the divergence, how good is the beam at a distance? Does it become a half mile wide or does it stay pretty tight?

Since i don't use CR123a currently, how long do the batteries last? I assume you probably use the rechargeable version?

SupermanFTM said:

While the specs are a bit better on paper, the o-like laser should do just fine in practice and if not you can /almost/ get a beam expander for $80 at DL.

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As far as I know Dragon discontinued the beam expander they used to sell.

I just bought the 150mW O-like

Good man. Always go O-like. My 50mW green is 62mW stable. Good divergence. And you're is focusable.

Gixxer331 said:

I just bought the 150mW O-like

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Nice purchase, review it for us when you get it!

Asa said:

Nice purchase, review it for us when you get it!

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I agree, I would love to see a review.

haha, thanks guys! (or ladies?) I will definitely write up a review since so far there isn't one for that specific laser. Unfortunately i don't have a way to test the actual power output, but i was planning on trying the DIY power meter trick with my infrared thermometer. They claim its fairly accurate but no one really knows....

SupermanFTM said:

Both of these lasers are ones that I've looked at when searching for a green. I ended up settling on the o-like cute 150. For $100, you will not get any better. Also, I trust o-like and have enjoyed the service they have provided me so far. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of WL as well, but since $80 almost doubles the cost of the o-like pointer I don't see the point. While the specs are a bit better on paper, the o-like laser should do just fine in practice and if not you can /almost/ get a beam expander for $80 at DL.

All-in-all though, I just consider the o-like laser a better investment if you're looking for a nice, cheap green. Now, if you actually want an incredible laser, I'd go for either Optotronics' RPL or one of Glen's CNI group-buys.

I hope you enjoy whichever you decide, and post a review of course!

Click to expand...

I have been doing alot of research lately on green lasers. I want to keep my first laser buy at $200 or less. So far I have been leaning towards the low divergence side rather then cheap and high power. The optronics Premium +150mW Green Laser which normally overspecs to ~160mw is $196.

If someone here could make a better suggestion then optronics at less then $200 I would highly appreciate it. I also refuse to do business with Wickedlasers after the whole artic fiasco.

I've heard really good things about that laser! There are some good reviews plus i believe they are located in Colorado so much faster shipping and no customs to worry about. I decided against it because I didn't want to spend that much after buying an Arctic and a 200mW Blu-Ray, plus i'm not a huge fan of pen style with momentary buttons. Also it has a 60/60 duty cycle which is pretty long rest period. The O-like is half the price, still a small host with click on/off button so it won for me. I believe it is slightly higher divergence, best guess is about 1.5mRad, but in reality that isn't a big difference. From everything I've read, you'll be really happy with the Optotronics .

loosekannonn said:

just picked up my 2 new lasers not 20 minutes ago...
I AM SUPER IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF BOTH OF THESE LASERS!!
the "CUTE" 150mW is exactly what I think a hand held Laser should feel like.
solid, high quality, love the focus ring... big thumbs up for this one!
the Gatlin is huge but I love it! it looks like it should be snapped into some kind of yoke fitting labeled "PRIMARY WEAPONS CONTROL MODULE"
but I will start my own review thread to keep from hijacking yours any further.

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"loosekannonn" Just posted this on another thread that i'm on, makes me glad i got the laser i did!

Gixxer331 said:

"loosekannonn" Just posted this on another thread that i'm on, makes me glad i got the laser i did!

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I am REALLY curious to how much mw the laser has, the O-Like site says 125-150 mw. Also want to know the divergence really bad. I tried contacting them a couple days ago about divergence but no word as of yet.

I have an EVO Pro in 40mw flavor.It is an excellent laser, and I prefer AA power.I noted the price drop and was thinking of a 100mw for burning...but the stuff I found here about wicked gave me pause.I have no idea what is happening there now, but my laser is great.I actually like wicked as a result...but I will wait a bit before ordering.I wanted to post a question about this but I was afraid people would froth about it!
Good luck with your O-like and be careful with it.
PS.I can pop balloons,cut tape, burn holes in trash bags and various dark food wrappers and smoke, but not light a match with my 40mw.
I curse the day I first tried burning....I swear 100mw will be enough.

Probably.

@Thengine, I contacted them also and had a few questions, they promptly answered my questions but not the divergence. Maybe they missed it, or maybe they simply don't know? Although one of the questions they did answer was about the power, they claimed a minimum of 130mW, but like the 100mW review on the forum and "ShaOwned" comment on this thread, both say their lasers are actually overspec. Either way 130-150mW will be bright as hell and enough to burn if you want it to.

@cistercian, I like WL host and it's nice that they all have IR filters. I also really like AA powered. I think Wicked is still a good company, problem is they aren't SUPER high end like CNI so obviously those would be better, but cost way too much. And the whole Arctic thing has giving them a bad rap. Their major fault was not communicating and being super optimistic in their dates that weren't possible. They are shipping lasers and have been doing a much better job at responding to emails lately. I think they just needed time to catch up and spent all their time responding to emails from people asking "Where is my laser?!?!" It appears they are getting back on track, but they are out of stock of literally everything! So if you want a new Evo, don't expect it to ship for at least a week or two.

Thanks for the info.I have some money burning a hole in my pocket so I will order another Evo this week.I will post the results here.
Again, thank you for the reply.