Just got my RPL 400 from Optotronics!

I upgraded from my RPL300 to an RPL400. WOW! 444mw peak, 421mw average, .903mrad divergence and BRIGHT! Anyone thinking about going to a more powerful laser (250mw and up) should seriously consider an Optotronics unit. Not only is their product of the highest quality, but Jacks customer service is second to none.

I sent in my unit and promptly received my upgrade.Also bought an adjustable tail cap so I can set it on a lower output and "lase" targets for night shoots at a machinegun shoot I attend in Oklahoma in June. It will help me direct my tracer fire to the target. They load them up with binary explosive charges for a truly spectacular finale to the shoot.

When I get some time I'll do some tests with matches at various distances to see how far it will light one, as well as the good ol' balloon thing!
Kaboom

good to see you on this forum Kaboom. welcome.

I can imagine your first impressions of RPL400. Its a beast even comparing to 300. Plus it has a much better and more powerful pump diode!
Make sure you post a review with pics in review section.

i also upgraded my old RPL-225 to the RPL-400. as mentioned above, Jacks customer service was excellent and the delivery time for the unit was under a week!!
i know my unit averages 419mw but if i remember correctly it peaked at 488mw. i have popped 10 balloons in a line with ease (only had 10 balloons, this would definitely do more than that) and also lit matches from over 2 meters away from the aperture.
i lit a cigarette from just under 2 meters away and took no more than 10-15 secs.

I'm anxious to do the balloon tests. My RPL300 would light a match from about a good 10ft away and pop balloons from at least 20ft, so I'm expecting great things with this one.
Steve

correct me if im wrong but for the balloons, i believe it depends on what kinda balloons r used. for example - i bought some black latex balloons from a market stall in huddersfield - these balloons blow up ALOT bigger than normal black balloons and the latex has a soft/thin touch to it.
some black balloons have a strong/thick feel to them and dont blow up as much - making it bit harder for the laser to focus through it. remember to stretch the balloon quiet a bit before blowing it to loosen the material and help blow to its capability.
matches r real fun, ive been burning them for fun from one side to the other of me bedroom and i dont have any proper mounts. its alot harder to focus the beam by placing the unit somewhere and directing by hand.