Has anyone used the 150mW green laser+ 6 LED device from Rayfoss?

Hi everyone, I've been lurking here for a while in order to inform myself to make my first "real laser" purchase a good one, and I decided on a green laser because of the good visibility-to-power ratio. I would have gone with a high-powered red laser, but they aren't as visible at a given power level and, of course, are much less exotic.

Basically what I want in a green laser is: 1) The ability to light a match. Burning white paper would also be cool but not necessary.
2) A beam that is clearly visible at night, and somewhat visible in my house during the day.
3) Runs off supplied Li-ions, and if not that, regular old alkaline AAs.
4) I like Wicked Laser's hosts (particularly the Spyder, of course, but that's pushing it). But they seem to be a shady company. Something that looks like those hosts in a more reputable company would be cool, but to me, the host is the least important part of the whole package; it just needs to provide enough cooling to give me an adequate duty cycle.
5) Less than $100. That's not a strict wall; if there's something great out there for $110 I'll make an exception.

So to me, it sounds like I want a 100-200mW green laser.

I've eliminated the high-end companies like Laserglow, Optotronics, and NovaLasers, as I would be more comfortable breaking a $100 laser in my ignorance than a $1000 laser. After following the Arctic scandal, I don't feel comfortable ordering from Wicked Lasers. O-Like, DealExtreme, and Rayfoss seem to be my best bets.

One laser that caught my attention in particular is this laser from Rayfoss. I don't understand why it's so cheap and includes LED lights, when the other more expensive lasers seem to do the same thing and don't have LED lights. The only difference I can really see is that the others are waterproof. Of course they fail to list specs like beam diameter and divergence, so I'm a bit skeptical.

The other two lasers I was really looking at were the DealExtreme 200mW module, and this O-Like 150mW portable laser.

There has to be something deal-breaking about the Rayfoss laser that makes it so much cheaper than everything else in its category, right?

Thanks a lot to anyone that can help point a newb in the right direction, whether by confirming that my choices are good or recommending better choices; and sorry, I bet you guys see a few of these threads pop up every day and just groan.

Well IMO save up and take the time to purchase the laser you really want. In my experiences quality is the best attribute when making any purchase. I wouldn't worry about breaking a laser. Just take basic care of it and you'll be fine. I know you ruled out otpo but I absolutely love there premium 150 pen. The divergence is top notch and while it shares a similar host to the cheep lasers you see on ebay there wayyy different. Amazingly stable, nice tight beam, and you have peace of mind knowing you have a great product. They even test it prior to shipping so you know what the average power is. Opto is located in Colorado. The lasers ship from the US, so you'll have no customs issues. Jack is the owner and a member on the forum as well. I know its more than your budget atm but not if you save up.. My other choice would be a laser by CNI. Look in the group buy section, you can get an amazing deal through ScopeGuys group buy. You can check my review on the 473nm CNI in the review section of the forum, I talk alot about Glenn and the great group buys he runs.

I would think about it, imagine if this were a forum about tvs, you could buy the cheap best buy insignia, or save up for the nice samsung that will not only be wayyy better but make you much happier long term. If I had to choose between o-like, dx, or rayfoss id go O-like.

-My two cents.

-Greg

Thanks for your response, Greg. But I do think I'm better off getting something cheaper than Optotronics and especially CNI for my first laser. Especially considering the circumstances; I don't know much about them yet, and I don't even know if lasers will become a long-term hobby for me. If they do, I'll shell out more for a great laser (maybe build my own 1W 445nm). I do agree that O-Like sounds more reputable than Rayfoss from what I've read, but I'm looking for a bargain to give me a first taste of lasers, and the Rayfoss laser/LED combo looks like a bargain; I just want to know if it's too good to be true.

Very true. You could also check the buy sell trade section for a good deal... Might get you more bang for your buck.

-Greg

This laser from Rayfoss was my first 532nm laser and I am quite pleased with the quality of it! It has a few quirks in the design, but I love this laser especially considering it was only around $62 with shipping included. Plus the adjustable removable star attachment is pretty awesome. If you want I can post some pics of it, just say so.

-David

Oh hey, I didn't expect to actually get a reply to this thread again!

Thanks for offering to post pictures. If it's not too much trouble I would love to see some whenever you get the time. Also, some information about its burning capabilities would be nice to know. I think it's a very weird device (a flashlight with a dangerous laser built-in and the two buttons are right next to each other?), but at the price point, you can't argue with it.

:thanks:

I also have this laser, I'm very satisfied with it, I will LPM it soon (LPM on the way) and report you the real power.

Here is a site where you will find it cheaper and with videos and pics.

Chinavasion

I got mine from them...

They also have a 100mw focusable with key that I also have, the dot is thicker and seems to be as bright (will also LPM it soon).

100mw Green Focusable

I wonder why I didn't see this site mentioned here, because they have nice lasers

Zike said:

I also have this laser, I'm very satisfied with it, I will LPM it soon (LPM on the way) and report you the real power.

Here is a site where you will find it cheaper and with videos and pics.

Chinavasion

I got mine from them...

They also have a 100mw focusable with key that I also have the dot is thicker and seems to be as bright (will also LPM it soon).

100mw Green Focusable

I wonder why I never seen this site mentioned here, because they have nice lasers

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, and I really look forward to seeing your LPM results. For such a cheap laser I am expecting it to be underspec, but for the price, even 100mW isn't necessarily a bad deal.

if it is really 150mw.... it's the cheaper 150mw laser ever sold.

Ok, finally got my LPM (laseerbee I) and I tested it.

The result is 180mw.

I'm now waiting for an IR filter to be able to meter the level of IR in it.

Will post back when done

PS: The other one is 190mw: Chinavasion Green

Will also meter it with IR filter...

good power............ but the 190mw.. is sold as 100mw ... it is incredible

Wow, it's actually overspec? That's nice. I am interested in how much of it is IR but still, a straight 180mW is impressive.

That other one is even more interesting; a laser from a cheap Chinese company that nobody here has ever recommended before, that outputs almost double what it specifies.

Mine is AWESOME... they claim it is 206mW hand picked for me... I believe it... they were honest and straightforward about everything else, it arrived in about a week, and they even threw in a few extras. Cool folks, great laser!

so.. write a review + pics for US why not? with beamshoots

not?

I would also like to know about the laser on rayfoss..not too interested in the ones on chinavasion, seems too fishy that a 200mw is priced cheaper than a 100mw, but the 100mw is overspec the 200mw. seems like some sort of false advertising..

but does anyone know how good the one on rayfoss is? $59 for a 150mw is ridiculous.