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Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Well, indoors it doesn't look dim, but it's hard to determine since camera type and settings might effect the picture.

Only a LPM measuement will be objective.

In the mintime, indirect indications may imply on its actual power. Thus, if it can burn from a distance of 2 - 3 metters, you can assume it's up to spec.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

In the end you can´t really estimate the power from just a picture without setting informations. I could make my >200mW O-Like to look like 10mW... easily.
LPM test is the only solution.

@weeba: you should resize your picture

snoutke said:

Well, indoors it doesn't look dim, but it's hard to determine since camera type and settings might effect the picture.

Only a LPM measuement will be objective.

In the mintime, indirect indications may imply on its actual power. Thus, if it can burn from a distance of 2 - 3 metters, you can assume it's up to spec.

Click to expand...

You posted while I´m was writing. Yeah look out for a LPM-member.
Also you can´t estimate just with burning as reference. Your laser may be up-to spec, but has a bad divergence. Less concentrated light, means less burning abilities.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

weeba2kv said:

Are you talking about the 50 mW green pen or the 400 mW tourch?

Click to expand...

Generally I was talking about the 400mw Torch. I brought up the pen to illustrate the super conservative duty cycles.

I'm just kind of that my 400mw torch seems under spec.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Since I don't live in US, it's kinda hard to get it measured properly. But my thermal method should giv an indication. And I do remember what my 200mw true green looked like and a 125mw dragon laser. I am sure that this one is not twice as bright.

The question is perhaps, is there a point in investing in a 400mw one instead of 200mw if the difference is so unnoticeable?

I was also hoping that it could burn at a distance of more than 1m. Focused or not. I see videos of those more expensive 400mw lasers with huge hosts popping baloons at 8m with a fixed focus. Perhaps the price is the issue here...

Btw: The pictures were taken with a compact, no flash, on auto..

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@mikzip

My laser didn't really burn through a cd case while focused and at a distance of 15cm. It also wasn't easy to get it to do anything with a match.

@Ricochet

I don't have a thermal power meter or lpm, but what you described is exactly the same as my experience has been so far with the laser. Versus the 250mw Red laser from o-like, this does not burn anywhere near as well, and is much harder to focus. I realize that a 650nm should burn better than 532nm at the same power, but considering the supposed 150mw superiority of the 400mw torch, it is very disappointing.

As for the waterproofing lens, even according to Susie MAX reduction in power would be ~100mw. Even at 300mw, this laser should burn better.


@snoutke - Focused, mine barely scratches a CD case. At 2 meters nothing.

@DJNY - I completely agree that comparing photos of beam shots is not effective. I was hoping that maybe I was expecting too much from my laser. Basically I wanted to figure out if my perception of it, based on my eyes, not camera, are accurate/comparable to what others are experiencing.

Without an LMP (if the radiant alpha was in stock I'd buy it this second) there is no way to be sure, but I think this laser is way under spec.

I'm really disappointed. So far O-like is 1 for 3 with lasers being as advertised. Maybe, just maybe, my issues are due to a bad tail cap for the 400mw torch, and Susie is sending me a replacement.

EDIT: There was a problem with my 1.2W tactical lens assembly. After sending pictures to Susie she offered to send out a replacement part, along with a replacement tailcap for the 400mw torch. I also ordered a 200mw Green Transformable laser from them, and paid for express shipping. Still waiting on tracking info though.

If anyone is within 1-2 hours driving range of NYC with an LPM, please let me know.

Thank you all for your replies.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@InfinitusEquitas

I used this simple recipe for a thermal meter:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/simple-laser-power-meter-using-ir-thermometer-26341.html

It's not exactly precise but it works. If you could make one and read the temp, we could compare. I would also really like to see a shot of the beam in complete darkness, if it's possible for you to post one. They may be not that different.

And if the w.p lens steals as much as 100mw, I will seriously consider removing it. That may actually be the reason for poor burning abilities. Though mine does burn thru a black CD cover from 10cm in about 5 secs when well focused.. That's from the matte side and thru the thinnest middle part. Try that.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@Ricochet

I'll put together the thermal lmp as soon as possible. Thanks for the thread.

So far, no matter what I tried I haven't been able to burn through a cd case I'll take a few pictures tonight in the dark.

While the beam does look much nicer than my "200mw" $40 green and another 50mw green, it does not seem twice as solid/bright. I'll take some shots late tonight, but I suspect I may have a compete dud.

Based on the fact that o-like doesn't have them on the website, I don't even know if sending it back for a replacement is an option.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

You're probably right about the gamble. But did you remove the w.p lens to achieve that power? If so, what was it prior to removing? And do you know the easiest way?

I've read that it shouldn't have much IR. But if it does, it could explain bad burning abilities at a distance.

I'm starting to think that i should have bid on yours instead :beer:

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Can someone please explain how to remove the water proof lens?

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Kind of wish I bid on this one too :-/

I was actually wondering about the waterproofing lens too. I don't exactly go diving with my lasers.. or really out in bad weather, so a gain of even ~50mw would be worth it imo.

4 times more light to appear twice as bright... I have ALOT to learn it seems.

I'm expecting a 200mw greenie from o-like soon, so maybe a comparison off of that will be better. The 200mw one I have now could be anything between 100 and 200...

Unfortunately after partying last night I passed out before taking any night shots.. I was kind of :drunk:

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Cheers.

Hope I don't need to do it, because I hate to mess around with these delicate and expensive things. Always fear that I'm gonna break it.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

Droid said:

I didn't remove it before I metered it. All I know is the beam looks a lot nicer without it. Not sure how much it affected the power reading.

To remove it unscrew the top off. Then underneath there is a brass funnel looking piece. There should be two very small holes on each side. Stick something in there and use those holes to turn it. Turn it until it unscrews all the way off. The lens is right in front of that. Might have to use a q-tip or something to push it off. When it's off screw the brass piece back on.

Click to expand...

So in theory your laser could deliver even more than 600mw. That's impressive. It sounds like a simple task, removing the lens. Nice to know there's an option. If new heads are sold separately one could make one with and one without water proofing for an easy swap.

Actually I really like this host. Since the end tube is unscrewable one could shorten lasers lengt quite a bit by using smaller 3.7V batteries with a shorter one. IF there is one that fits of course.

And there's actually a pot.. Won't touch that but there are possibilies with this one.



If only the power was up to (beyond) the spec.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

snoutke said:

Cheers.

Hope I don't need to do it, because I hate to mess around with these delicate and expensive things. Always fear that I'm gonna break it.

Click to expand...

Judging by the decription, it's incredibly simple. As long a you have something to twist the inner tube with. The important thing AFAIK is not to scratch / polute any lens.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@Ricochet

How much force did you have to apply to unscrew it? I tried with mine with just my hands and a rag for friction.

I'm kind of tempted to remove the lens now too

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@InfinitusEquitas

You mean the middle part on the picture? I barely touched it and it uncrewed.
I have not tried to fiddle with the lens part yet, so that I don't know.

Let us know how it goes.

Re: O-like 400mw green - $214 (hitting 600mw) - Review

@Ricochet

Exactly, yes. I was thinking of maybe getting tools to do it, my pliers are just a little too small. While I won't win any strength competitions, so far I've never had issues opening up anything else

I'm much more curious about getting the top off to take off the waterproofing lens, but really don't want to mess with an expensive laser

Interestingly enough, I left the laser unattended for about 10 seconds, came back and it started smoking a yellow envelope that was sitting 5 feet away... it wasn't really focused either. I repeated the experiment and it does smoke a yellow envelope from 5 feet away in 1-2 seconds when focused. I wonder if that's any indication of power.

I'm thinking maybe the issue with the burning ability of mine might have more to do with it being incredibly hard to focus, than lack of power.. I can hope at least. If the new Radiant Alphas ever come out.. I'm gonna try to get one. Not knowing exact numbers is driving me nuts.

Until than I'm gonna be busy but I'll try to put together a thermal power meter by next weekend to get at least some kind of objective measurement.

I'll be sure to keep you and everyone posted on my findings. Most of my friends eyes glaze over when I start to talk about lasers, nice to talk to people with similar interests.