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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Disappointed with optotronics 5mw pointer

Joined
Feb 7, 2011
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New here. I was looking for a 5mw green pen pointer. I had owned one previously (that I lost), which I bought off thinkgeek.com some time ago (green laser pointer II I believe). I liked it a lot, and seeing as I wanted one again, and prices had come down quite a bit (it was $100 back in 2005), I went about researching a good replacement. I read the "guide to buying your first green laser" to see what folk here recommended.

I settled on the optotronics 4.99 mw pointer, due to it's low cost ($29.95) and optotronic's reputable claims. Well... to my surprise, it didn't turn out to be such a good choice. The pointer hardly works at first, I have to hold the button down for as long as 5 or more seconds sometimes for it to even light up fully. This happens regardless of the batteries I use (which it did not include). Additionally, the build quality is dirt cheap. Nothing like the excellently designed pen pointer I originally purchased from thinkgeek. The optotronics model felt like it was made of cheap plastic, with wannabe-metal elements. Worse, it rattles around terribly, as if it were going to fall apart, like something out of a vending machine.

As a result, I decided to go with my second choice, a laserglow lyra. Somewhat more expensive ($59.00 + $14 shipping), but still less expensive then my original pointer in 2005. This time around, my expectations were actually exceeded. The laser lights up to full brightness immediately. The build quality is superb, better then even my first pointer. Smooth solid metal, no flaky machined parts, surprisingly compact (shorter then both of my other pointers, while still a decent length), and very nice (but not in-your face) embossed logos on the side and cap.

Well, as you can probably guess I attempted to return the optotronics model. When I called them the person I briefly spoke with basically said that they don't do returns unless the items are defective. Wonderful. Guess that means I need to go to ebay.

So... I guess I'm left just a bit curious as to where this glowing optotronics reputation comes from. There was nothing about the 4.99 mw model that I found to be excellent or worthwhile; in fact I frankly fail to find a single redeeming feature.

Am I missing something?

This being an enthusiast forum, where people play with lasers way out of my league, maybe the reputation only applies to high end-bazzilion milliwatt models, which doesn't filter down well to their basic pen pointers.
 
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Joined
Feb 1, 2011
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Strange. Jack @ Optronics has a great reputation, and will usually exchange your laser for another one if you are not satisfied, or run into an issue.
 

Trevor

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Jul 17, 2009
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I've owned the 150mW pen model and have known many people who have owned the RPL's and loved them. Jack (the owner) even helped me out when I was having shipping issues with Viasho, the company who manufactures lasers to Optotronics' specifications - and Jack had no personal stake in it!

That being said, I've heard of maybe one or two people having trouble (though there were two very different sides of the story), and I have never heard of anyone ever buying one of their 5mW pointers.

You made a great call trying Optotronics, and hit a home run trying Laserglow next. This is rather out of character for Optotronics; I hope we'll hear from Jack on the issue. His forum handle is bootleg2go.

-Trevor
 
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Nov 8, 2006
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New here. I was looking for a 5mw green pen pointer. I had owned one previously (that I lost), which I bought off thinkgeek.com some time ago (green laser pointer II I believe). I liked it a lot, and seeing as I wanted one again, and prices had come down quite a bit (it was $100 back in 2005), I went about researching a good replacement. I read the "guide to buying your first green laser" to see what folk here recommended.

I settled on the optotronics 4.99 mw pointer, due to it's low cost ($29.95) and optotronic's reputable claims. Well... to my surprise, it didn't turn out to be such a good choice. The pointer hardly works at first, I have to hold the button down for as long as 5 or more seconds sometimes for it to even light up fully. This happens regardless of the batteries I use (which it did not include). Additionally, the build quality is dirt cheap. Nothing like the excellently designed pen pointer I originally purchased from thinkgeek. The optotronics model felt like it was made of cheap plastic, with wannabe-metal elements. Worse, it rattles around terribly, as if it were going to fall apart, like something out of a vending machine.

As a result, I decided to go with my second choice, a laserglow lyra. Somewhat more expensive ($59.00 + $14 shipping), but still less expensive then my original pointer in 2005. This time around, my expectations were actually exceeded. The laser lights up to full brightness immediately. The build quality is superb, better then even my first pointer. Smooth solid metal, no flaky machined parts, surprisingly compact (shorter then both of my other pointers, while still a decent length), and very nice (but not in-your face) embossed logos on the side and cap.

Well, as you can probably guess I attempted to return the optotronics model. When I called them the person I briefly spoke with basically said that they don't do returns unless the items are defective. Wonderful. Guess that means I need to go to ebay.

So... I guess I'm left just a bit curious as to where this glowing optotronics reputation comes from. There was nothing about the 4.99 mw model that I found to be excellent or worthwhile; in fact I frankly fail to find a single redeeming feature.

Am I missing something?

This being an enthusiast forum, where people play with lasers way out of my league, maybe the reputation only applies to high end-bazzilion milliwatt models, which doesn't filter down well to their basic pen pointers.

Strange?
When you called us this morning wanting to return it for a refund, I asked you what was wrong with it and you said to me "NOTHING" was wrong with it. You did not mention anything about the build quality, nor a problem with the laser taking seconds to reach full output or anything of that nature, you just wanted to return it after 2 weeks use for a refund. If you had, we would have arranged for it's return and replacement.
I replied to you we do not give refunds for buyer's remorse and all sales are final as stated in our policies page. I also said to you right before you so rudely hung up on me that if there is a problem with it, we would be more than happy to replace it and still am willing to do so, provided it has not been dropped, disassembled or abused.
 
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Feb 7, 2011
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Well, that's a first. I really didn't expect anyone from optotronics, much less the person I talked to, to respond in this very forum. I'll give you that.

When I called, I wanted to return the item. I didn't want a replacement or any other kind of deal. I found something more to my liking. I simply wasn't expecting a "No - but if something's not working we can arrange a replacement" kind of answer. In your defense, you weren't a dick about it. Not at all. I'll say it again, you weren't the least bit condescending or snide or anything else less then genuine. But honestly, when someone tells me that after only a week or two with an item in perfectly intact condition, they won't arrange a return at all, I get pretty pissed off. Don't take it personally. I've been really screwed before, on more then one occasion, and I've found that when you reach the point where you are denied a return flat out, the conversation is over. Policy is policy, and anything from reasonable discussion to an irate temper never seems to do more then diddly-squat (other then perhaps annoy the hell out of everyone).

Frankly, I hung up because I didn't want to embarrass myself getting all pissed off, which I likely would have. I did not want to have a futile conversation where I try to pretend that I can somehow surmount some company's return policy - or lack thereof. I also didn't want to piss off the person on the other side of the phone with my bad temper, not knowing you were the owner. I've worked in several call centers, and nothing is more frustrating then people angry at you for something you have absolutely no control over.

What should I have said? Serious question, without any contempt. You told me your policy - frankly and honestly - no return's, just replacements if something's broke. I obviously don't want a replacement at all. I got a lyra instead, thinking I could return the opto. That pretty much sums up my pov.

In any case, let's say I wanted a replacement, what could I have said? It's not broke, or defective even. I don't like the build quality... so what? The laser works, it just doesn't fully brighten up immediately. Hey, maybe I'm wrong... really... but that seems like a pretty weak argument, not worth having a debate over. More importantly, I'd be arguing for a replacement I don't even want.

Look, I don't know you. I don't even know what to think, really. This whole thing has become a cluster #$%* as far as I'm concerned. Thanks goodness it's only $29.95.

Whoever reads this, keep in mind I'm only one person, so try to be fair and objective when considering a company like opto.
 
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Feb 1, 2011
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IMO. You purchased a laser pointer that maybe you expected a little more for 29.95 Jack maintains his integrity to this day. We all can't just purchase anything, and return it to stock just because we should have maybe made a different decision.
 
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
699
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If you wanted a replacement, you could have simply said it's not broken, it just doesn't fully brighten up immediately.

You can't return your new car because you don't like the color.
But if it had a bad transmission, you could get a replacement.
 
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
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Geefreck,

Just to speak from recent experience --

I recently bought a "greater than $500" 473nm laser from him. The first one had problems. Jack DID NOT give me ANY crap about switching it out for another one. In fact, the freaking replacement happened in less than a week.

Sorry to be strongly worded about this, but if Jack was going to screw people, he would have done it for ~$800, not for $30.

There is ZERO reason for him to try to pull a fast one on you for $30. It simply makes no sense. You say the "bazillion watt" laser people get preferential treatment... It just doesn't make sense to spoil a reputation on 30-buck transactions. Even if you are an ass, it's just not "cost effective".

What gets me is -- is the laser defective or not? If it is, he'll replace it. If it's not, why does it need replacing?

Because of the finish? Yeah, a Lyra is going to be fancier -- and more expensive. You yourself said that the ThinkGeek one was $100.

Why are you comparing the "fit and finish" of a $30 laser to a $100 or $74 one? Please don't reply with "because it doesn't work" -- because Jack will replace it if it doesn't work.

If you just wanted the case on the $30 laser to compare to your $100 or $74 ones, say so. I think people will think you're off base, but you've got the right to have that expectation if you want. I just fail to understand what the problem is?
 
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Feb 15, 2011
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I've said this before on other forums about Jack and I'll say it again, I just got a 124mw laser from him today. This guy stands by his product, has great customer service, great prices, fast, no-hassle shipping, and to my knowledge, and going by the massive amount of positive reviews vs. negative, has NEVER ripped off a single person, and he never would. I've had several PM conversations with him (not on this site) and he's a good guy. Somebody I would take golfing with me or even buy lunch.

And he's in the US...which means NO CUSTOMS SEIZURE. Not sure how many sellers are in the US, but on ebay I seem to see nothing but Hong Kong sellers. Good luck getting your greenie if it's over 5mw.

-J.N.
 
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...has NEVER ripped off a single person, and he never would. I've had several PM conversations with him (not on this site) and he's a good guy. Somebody I would take golfing with me or even buy lunch.

Agreed, and concur. Had the same experience with him. It makes me think that the OP didn't try to resolve this at all.
And he's in the US...which means NO CUSTOMS SEIZURE. Not sure how many sellers are in the US, but on ebay I seem to see nothing but Hong Kong sellers. Good luck getting your greenie if it's over 5mw.

exactly why I got my 473 from him. Not only is he in the same country as me, but the same state. :)
 
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Feb 26, 2010
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I ordered a 5mw pen laser also from optotronics roughly 6 months ago maybe 9 months, not too sure exactly. There is only one real problem with it beyond the fact that it appears so much like most of the other cheap new style pen(though feels a bit heavier so better heat sinking i believe).

It appears to be sensitive to cold temperatures and would often take 5 to 10 seconds to warm up if ambient was lower than 65f. It often wont seem to turn on at all if below 55 to 60f. Not a big deal to just warm it up in my hand a moment.

You may want to see if warming the heatsink will make it operate better.
 




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