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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Radio Shack Green Pointer Review

Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
321
Points
16
Immediate recommendation: AVOID.

General: While the unit looks nice and appears well built, operationally it was horrible.

There is significant beam variation every time you press the button. At first I suspected the batteries and put brand new Duracells in. Still bad operation. Sometimes pushing the button resulted in a nearly imperceptable spot. Twisting the battery compartment helped, so I suspect the positive end contact, which is the case body, does not make good contact and may have surface oxidation or other contact reducing problems.

Additionally, at full power this unit wasn't optically significantly brighter than my $1.00 "Dollar Store" red pointer (of which I bought 5!). I had a green pointer yearsssss ago (and paid $400.00 for it!) and while it failed over time, initially the beam was visible. The Radio Shack pointer has no visible beam even under dark night conditions.

I am thoroughly dissatisfied with the purchase, and returned the unit today for a refund.

I suspect one of SenKat's LeadLights would be a far better purchase for anyone looking for an inexpensive green pointer.

I hope this helps anyone who may have considered the Radio Shack pointer.

Best,

Dave
 





Joined
Nov 21, 2007
Messages
158
Points
0
woo u just made me feel so much better! i tried to buy one of these things, but I got carded for it (im under 18) so they wouldn't let me buy it, but now im glad this happened! this motivated me to build my own diy red from a senkat diode and ddl's driver. im still workin on it, but ill post my results!
 

sotto

0
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
2
Points
0
xanatos:

Sorry you had such difficulty. I looked at 4 of the green RS lasers, and picked the best 2. They're my first green lasers, and I can see the beam fairly well in a dark room, and outside. I'm pleased with them so far. It sounds like, if you're lucky, you might get more laser for your money elsewhere, but the easy return option at RS appealed to me a great deal.
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
209
Points
0
Keep in mind, the RS lasers are bulk construction from and for a major retail corporation. For most products in a situation like this, the only QC is on physical, visible defects. They certainly don't get tested by the company from the time they enter the warehouse to the time they reach the store, and many times, the customer is the first one to ever power it on. There will definitely be duds, some with less power, and maybe some a little higher. At least they do a good job with returns, so even if you do get the bad one, they'll take care of it.
 

Rhith

0
Joined
Jul 13, 2007
Messages
833
Points
0
Bah, radioshack loses yet again. I say DX greens for low power! I have my true 5mW that I can easily see the beam of in my room with the lights on! Then again I tested it at over 15mW peak with a coherent field master. ::)
 




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