jayrob
0
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2007
- Messages
- 9,862
- Points
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730mW Spyder III Krypton
I am very impressed with the WL Sypder III Krypton laser...
Because I never expected 1 Watt... And I was just hoping for maybe 500mW’s... (specs claim 500mW's to 1 Watt)
So I am very pleased with 730mW's!
Here's their official release video about the new Spyder III Krypton:
I sent Steve some of my 405-G-1 glass lenses when he had asked about them, and he returned the favor by sending me one of the new Sypder III Krypton's... (I got the better end of that deal!)
I received this laser, in the first week of August (before it was officially released), but was asked not to mention anything about it, until it's release…
I understand that it is now released. But first, to people who have signed up through their Facebook site. There was an email sign up. And people who signed up, could get the Krypton before the public release. It has recently also been released to the public.
I have been told that they have been accumulating stock so that they don't get so buried with a swarm of orders, like what happened with the release of the Arctic...
I am just posting my impression of it, with some power readings, current measurements, etc…
Steve did not ask for a review or anything. But I just wanted to mention a few things on my own.
Just the laser and package, not anything about all the bad rep the company has had with customer service issues, etc, etc...
Actually, I will say one thing. (as mentioned above) I have been told that they have been stocking up on the Spyder III Krypton lasers before releasing them publicly. Because they didn’t want to get swamped, and totally buried with orders. Like they did when they released the Arctic…
So if that is true, then hopefully buyers will not be waiting too long when they order…
Output power:
This is the most powerful green laser that I have. 730mW's in a hand held laser!
I like that it goes right to peak too! It will peak within 10 or 15 seconds. It is very consistent with this.
The beam width is satisfactory. Not super thin like those 100mW modules, not fat like those 250mW+ O-like modules. Not quite as thin as my RPL, but a nice beam width for my taste. Nice divergence for my taste as well. (no beam width measurements though)
I measured 1680mA's battery current draw on high. (steady)
Not sure if it has an IR filter inside. I did put the beam through an IR filter, and it was about 10 to 12% less output, so I'm thinking that it possibly does not have an IR filter. But then again, I guess at that power, it very well could have an IR filter. (possibly) Because a second optic of any kind will take away some power...
I still measured over 650mW's through an IR filter. Which is outstanding in a hand held 532nm laser.
I did another IR test with some 532nm blocking glasses and my camera. I have looked through my camera at an IR diode before, and it is amazing what the camera picks up!
Anyway, I saw nothing at all coming through the glasses if that means anything.
Per WL, all of their 532nm lasers have an IR filter...
Update 9/21: Here's a direct quote from Steve per e-mail...
"All green lasers from WL are IR-filtered. If there wasnt an IR filter on the Krypton, it would say 4W.The reason why it would go from say 750mW to 680mW with an additional IR filter is that, any filter, whether its a clear filter (flat lens), expanded lens (From the kit), a second or third IR filter, will drop green laser light minimum 10%. If you need an example to back up this theory. Take any green laser that you feel confident has an IR filter. Then take the same IR filter you are putting in front of the S3 Krypton, and measure the original green laser, the same % loss will result from the green laser"
I have done several 1 minute runs with no mode hopping…
I asked Steve about the internal workings. I told him that I seriously doubt that it has a peltier, because it would need maybe 400 or 500mA's for that. (and I measured 1680mA’s battery current draw on high)
He did not elaborate, but he did say no TEC. He said that if it gets too hot, the current to the diode gets regulated, depending on the temperature. I suggested maybe calling it 'TelsaCool Thermostatic Regulation’... (instead of TEC)
Speculation:
I'm guessing maybe a 2.5 Watt C-mount pump. (just a total guess based on the battery current draw, and knowing that Optotronics uses a 2.5 Watt pump diode)
But it is entirely possibly, that they are just using this 800mW CNI module:
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/PGL-H-532.pdf
I'm not about to take it apart, because I like it too much, and don't want to tamper with it. (the only thing that I did, was to focus it to my liking)
SmartSwitch:
I'm sure there are differing opinions, but I happen to be a fan of the SmartSwitch. I like that it has high and low power settings. Not a big fan of the strobe, SOS, and beacon modes, but you don't have to enter those modes if you don't want to. (only the initial low power strobe that you can quickly change to constant power with a quick click...
For me personally, I like that I must know the sequence of clicks to initialize the laser. It is just different I guess. It is something that takes a little thought to operate. (not difficult at all once you get used to it - it can be turned on very easily)
The new SmartSwitch 2 also has a 'hibernation mode'. Basically, once you hold the switch down for about 3 seconds, the laser turns off, and the center indicator is now blinking. This is the hibernation mode. It will come back on with a single click. So it can be hazardous. You must be aware of this, when in the hibernation mode. It will come back on in what ever mode/power that you had it in last...
I also like that the initialization lights will double as a battery capacity indicator, once you have turned the laser on.
The battery seems to be a good quality 18650 battery. (Sanyo IMR I believe)
Size:
It is exactly like the Arctic, except it is about 29mm longer at the front.
Same exact diameter per my calipers, and the expanded lens kit attachments will fit both the Arctic, as well as the Krypton...
Package:
The package came with the expanded lens kit (I believe this is an accessory that is normally ordered separately), safety glasses (these seem to be good ones, but no rating marked on them), 18650 battery, cheap charger, operation manual, safety flyer, and a very nice protective case/holster.
I really like the protective case for the laser!
I also like that it has an AR coated glass lens to protect the laser collimating lens from dust and what not.
Conclusion:
Bad rep or not, this is an awesome laser in my opinion. (that is, as long as it lasts)
Is it worth $1000 bucks? I guess that will depend on how long it will last. (I know that I paid much more than that for my Optotornics 425)
I do not know the inner workings, but as far as the looks, feel, and the way it comes right to power, it's down right awesome at 730mW’s!
It is (at this moment), my favorite laser…
So I just hope that it lasts!
I am very impressed with the WL Sypder III Krypton laser...
Because I never expected 1 Watt... And I was just hoping for maybe 500mW’s... (specs claim 500mW's to 1 Watt)
So I am very pleased with 730mW's!
Here's their official release video about the new Spyder III Krypton:
I sent Steve some of my 405-G-1 glass lenses when he had asked about them, and he returned the favor by sending me one of the new Sypder III Krypton's... (I got the better end of that deal!)
I received this laser, in the first week of August (before it was officially released), but was asked not to mention anything about it, until it's release…
I understand that it is now released. But first, to people who have signed up through their Facebook site. There was an email sign up. And people who signed up, could get the Krypton before the public release. It has recently also been released to the public.
I have been told that they have been accumulating stock so that they don't get so buried with a swarm of orders, like what happened with the release of the Arctic...
I am just posting my impression of it, with some power readings, current measurements, etc…
Steve did not ask for a review or anything. But I just wanted to mention a few things on my own.
Just the laser and package, not anything about all the bad rep the company has had with customer service issues, etc, etc...
Actually, I will say one thing. (as mentioned above) I have been told that they have been stocking up on the Spyder III Krypton lasers before releasing them publicly. Because they didn’t want to get swamped, and totally buried with orders. Like they did when they released the Arctic…
So if that is true, then hopefully buyers will not be waiting too long when they order…
Output power:
This is the most powerful green laser that I have. 730mW's in a hand held laser!
I like that it goes right to peak too! It will peak within 10 or 15 seconds. It is very consistent with this.
The beam width is satisfactory. Not super thin like those 100mW modules, not fat like those 250mW+ O-like modules. Not quite as thin as my RPL, but a nice beam width for my taste. Nice divergence for my taste as well. (no beam width measurements though)
I measured 1680mA's battery current draw on high. (steady)
Not sure if it has an IR filter inside. I did put the beam through an IR filter, and it was about 10 to 12% less output, so I'm thinking that it possibly does not have an IR filter. But then again, I guess at that power, it very well could have an IR filter. (possibly) Because a second optic of any kind will take away some power...
I still measured over 650mW's through an IR filter. Which is outstanding in a hand held 532nm laser.
I did another IR test with some 532nm blocking glasses and my camera. I have looked through my camera at an IR diode before, and it is amazing what the camera picks up!
Anyway, I saw nothing at all coming through the glasses if that means anything.
Per WL, all of their 532nm lasers have an IR filter...
Update 9/21: Here's a direct quote from Steve per e-mail...
"All green lasers from WL are IR-filtered. If there wasnt an IR filter on the Krypton, it would say 4W.The reason why it would go from say 750mW to 680mW with an additional IR filter is that, any filter, whether its a clear filter (flat lens), expanded lens (From the kit), a second or third IR filter, will drop green laser light minimum 10%. If you need an example to back up this theory. Take any green laser that you feel confident has an IR filter. Then take the same IR filter you are putting in front of the S3 Krypton, and measure the original green laser, the same % loss will result from the green laser"
I have done several 1 minute runs with no mode hopping…
I asked Steve about the internal workings. I told him that I seriously doubt that it has a peltier, because it would need maybe 400 or 500mA's for that. (and I measured 1680mA’s battery current draw on high)
He did not elaborate, but he did say no TEC. He said that if it gets too hot, the current to the diode gets regulated, depending on the temperature. I suggested maybe calling it 'TelsaCool Thermostatic Regulation’... (instead of TEC)
Speculation:
I'm guessing maybe a 2.5 Watt C-mount pump. (just a total guess based on the battery current draw, and knowing that Optotronics uses a 2.5 Watt pump diode)
But it is entirely possibly, that they are just using this 800mW CNI module:
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/PGL-H-532.pdf
I'm not about to take it apart, because I like it too much, and don't want to tamper with it.
(the only thing that I did, was to focus it to my liking)SmartSwitch:
I'm sure there are differing opinions, but I happen to be a fan of the SmartSwitch. I like that it has high and low power settings. Not a big fan of the strobe, SOS, and beacon modes, but you don't have to enter those modes if you don't want to. (only the initial low power strobe that you can quickly change to constant power with a quick click...
For me personally, I like that I must know the sequence of clicks to initialize the laser. It is just different I guess. It is something that takes a little thought to operate. (not difficult at all once you get used to it - it can be turned on very easily)
The new SmartSwitch 2 also has a 'hibernation mode'. Basically, once you hold the switch down for about 3 seconds, the laser turns off, and the center indicator is now blinking. This is the hibernation mode. It will come back on with a single click. So it can be hazardous. You must be aware of this, when in the hibernation mode. It will come back on in what ever mode/power that you had it in last...
I also like that the initialization lights will double as a battery capacity indicator, once you have turned the laser on.
The battery seems to be a good quality 18650 battery. (Sanyo IMR I believe)
Size:
It is exactly like the Arctic, except it is about 29mm longer at the front.
Same exact diameter per my calipers, and the expanded lens kit attachments will fit both the Arctic, as well as the Krypton...
Package:
The package came with the expanded lens kit (I believe this is an accessory that is normally ordered separately), safety glasses (these seem to be good ones, but no rating marked on them), 18650 battery, cheap charger, operation manual, safety flyer, and a very nice protective case/holster.
I really like the protective case for the laser!
I also like that it has an AR coated glass lens to protect the laser collimating lens from dust and what not.
Conclusion:
Bad rep or not, this is an awesome laser in my opinion. (that is, as long as it lasts)
Is it worth $1000 bucks? I guess that will depend on how long it will last. (I know that I paid much more than that for my Optotornics 425)
I do not know the inner workings, but as far as the looks, feel, and the way it comes right to power, it's down right awesome at 730mW’s!
It is (at this moment), my favorite laser…
So I just hope that it lasts!
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