Skylasers 150mw greenie penstyle losing power?

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I got my 150mw green laser pointer from Skylasers.

After unpacking and putting in some new Duracell batteries it seems the laser is HEAVILY underspec, it doesn't burn or sting anything.
While that's not the worst part of the story, while I was trying it out that night all of a sudden the output power dropped by like 50%.

I already contacted Skylasers and am waiting for a reply from them.
I did not drop the laser, nor did I disrespect the duty cycle.

Anyone had this happen already?

Edit: I'm thinkin about buying the "LZSK - 532nm 300mW High Power DPSS Green Laser Pointer" from lazerer, I hear Lazerer is a trustworthy company that delivers up to spec lasers. And then I could use 18650s which fit my 18350 charger.

I want to have the same "WOW" feeling like I had when I first pointed my 2000mw 445nm into the night sky I take it 300mw+ of green DPSS should be enough for this? According to the relative brightness calculator a 300mw 532nm beam would be 2.5 times as bright as a 2000mw 445nm beam, and the dot would be 4.5 times as bright

Sorry to hear that. Try using rechargeable batteries, the alkaline ones may not have enough discharge rate to satisfy the diode.
And green lasers need some warming up before unleashing the full potential output.

OK I will try rechargeable batteries once I get my hands on them.

Skylasers requested that I LPM it and send him the results, I guess if it's way too underspec maybe he'll replace it.

If you say warm up, do you actually mean using the laser for some time to warm up the inside components or just hold it in my hands for x-minutes? I'm guessing the first but you never know

You need to use the laser a some time before getting the max output.

I'm with Blord on this... crappy AAA's simply do not work well in a higher powered green laser.

Try these instead Link.

If you're not satisfied after that, do get the laser LPMed, take a video, and send it/post it for skylasers.

Also, I remember reading that skylaser lasers, tend to be temperature sensitive... you're operating it at around 70 degrees?

@Blord: OK I will try to use it a bit so it warms up then
@InfinitusEquitas: Yeah you're right, it might have been a bit colder outside yesterday night but I try to keep it in my hand so it stays warm enough.

Will those batteries you linked to be better than Duracells? I always thought Duracell were the best batteries I guess they only have a lot of advertising like Wicked lasers but actually aren't all that good?

Is there any difference between output strength with these or do they just keep a more steady output as opposed to Duracells?

I guess that might explain why the laser suddenly became only 50% as bright

Duracells rechargeable's should be ok too. The eneloops have been used with lasers a lot though, that's why I linked to them specifically.

Basically, the difference between the regular alkaline batteries, and the minh rechargeables is that they support a higher draw, and tend to perform better throughout the use of the battery. (Not sagging as much, when half depleted.)

DPSS lasers can be very temperature sensitive, so definitely see how it will perform in regular room temperature.

Use a hairdryer or hot-water bag and see the difference!

I have a Sky P532F-150-Fa. It has always been cold blooded!
Tonight, at 72 Deg F, it outputs 41 mW.
After warming to body temperature, it jumps to 154 mW !!!!!
This is an older laser using an 18650 cell but I was told that I
have a "summer" laser by SKY.
You need to move to a warm climate and it will likely work.
Sommer need warmer and sommer work cooler than others!!!
HMike

Hmm, ok I guess it's colder than 71F at night here in Belgium, 71F is like 21 C, here it's around 7-10 C so yeah
(Edit: Yeah, 7-10° C = 44 to 50 ° F x_x)

I will try the hairdryer tonight when I get back from work. But I don't think it'll make such a HUGE difference, even when I keep it in my pocket for some time and then use it, it doesn't burn anything.

Even if I directly shine on my skin from close (very close) range it doesn't even get warm, well maybe a little.

The dot is very visible though, the beam not so much. When shining my 445nm next to this one I can also see the dot on trees that are about 1km away but the green dot is much better visible. (Has to do with the fact that green is more visible to our eyes, ...)

Update for those who are interested:

This weekend I went to Blord to measure my greenie with an LPM.

Highest rating we got was 75-80mW. I sent a picture of this to laserbtb and he told me to ship it back to him. They will do additional tests and then refund the shipping + send me a new one or refund the money I've paid.

Now I'm wondering though, should I go for the refund or for the new laser? I've also ordered a 300mW through the groupbuy and feel the 150 penstyle will be obsolete.

But then again, that means I've bought the batteries for nothing

What would you guys do? Maybe I'll just keep the 150mW greenie just to have a lower power greenie also

I would send it back, and ask for a refund, and just get something else in the future.

InfinitusEquitas said:

I would send it back, and ask for a refund, and just get something else in the future.

Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'll do that, going to get a 300mW focusable anyway