NO4H99
0
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2013
- Messages
- 552
- Points
- 0
Hey guys, I got my blue from Eitan about two weeks ago and just stopped playing with it long enough to write this review 
It is a 1.2w 445nm SF-501b with an aluminum heatsink and three element glass lens from TheJoker301's shop, Sci-Fi Lasers.
I'll rate it in five categories:
1) Communication - 10%
2) Shipping/packaging - 10%
3) Cosmetics - 10%
4) Performance - 65%
5) Sturdiness & Price - 5%
So to start it off...
COMMUNICATION
I'll just say that the level of customer service that I received from Eitan on several issues was amazing. He quickly answered every question that I had and fixed every issue that come up. I really appreciate that there still are vendors who care so much about their customers, especially considering the price that I paid for the products. Between my two orders, I must have sent 20 or more PMs, every one of which was taken care of.
So, a full 10 points for communication.
Shipping/Packaging
Shipping from Israel to Las Vegas took only 13 days, eight of which were spent sitting in New York. I consider this quite good, especially since it was only $10 IIRC. I still had to check the tracking info every 2 hours though. He shipped my order the day after I placed it.
Packaging was also done well. It was bubble wrapped inside a small white box, which was also bubble wrapped inside a larger box. The packaging obviously worked, as my laser arrived safe and sound.
9 out of 10 points for packaging/shipping
Cosmetics
The 501b host feels good in my hand (both size and weight), seems solid, and is big enough to have a long duty cycle (60sec on/off) even with an aluminum heatsink. It is approx. 5" long, 1" in diameter (at the handle), and takes two 16340 batteries (protected ones fit fine). Here are some pics (sorry about the white balance - I was too busy to fix it).
The laser
Compared to other hosts (SFCG, SFCR, & O-Like Power Rock)
Again, 9 out of 10 points for Cosmetics
Performance
This laser clocked in at 1.2 watts, and quite stable too. As I do not have an LPM, I have no way to verify these charts, (I trust Eitan though). It burns like crazy, even when unfocused. The beam is also amazing, brighter (to me) than a 100mw green - much thicker too. It rarely hops modes. The laser does get warm in 45-60 seconds, so the duty cycle is a must.
The LPM chart
The unfocused dot
And some beamshots...
Before I cleaned the lens.
With a 100mw green
And with a 610mw 635 (my favorite pics)
If I get a chance, I will retouch the photos to take out some of the noise (I had to use a high ISO to get nice beams). I'll also work on some outdoor beam shots.
This laser takes a solid 60 out of 65 in performance.
Price
At about $120 including int. shipping, I feel that this laser was a great price.
5 out of 5 for price.
Finally, the minor annoyances section! The tailcap threads were not very smooth, even after lubrication. The laser heats up very quickly, but there's not much to be done about that except for paying more for a copper or extended heatsink. The lens it a bit wobbly (could use a spring or something to increase tension), which also causes the laser to unfocus quite easily.
For these minor issues, I'll take off 3 points.
Overall, This is a great laser (an an amazing seller), I'm absolutely satisfied and would highly recommend both to anyone. The quality and cutomer service were excellent, and the power is more than adequate for me (and I can always add a G-series lens if needed :eg
90 out of 100 points total
If you have any questions about it, or feel that I left anything out, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading.
It is a 1.2w 445nm SF-501b with an aluminum heatsink and three element glass lens from TheJoker301's shop, Sci-Fi Lasers.
I'll rate it in five categories:
1) Communication - 10%
2) Shipping/packaging - 10%
3) Cosmetics - 10%
4) Performance - 65%
5) Sturdiness & Price - 5%
So to start it off...
COMMUNICATION
I'll just say that the level of customer service that I received from Eitan on several issues was amazing. He quickly answered every question that I had and fixed every issue that come up. I really appreciate that there still are vendors who care so much about their customers, especially considering the price that I paid for the products. Between my two orders, I must have sent 20 or more PMs, every one of which was taken care of.
So, a full 10 points for communication.
Shipping/Packaging
Shipping from Israel to Las Vegas took only 13 days, eight of which were spent sitting in New York. I consider this quite good, especially since it was only $10 IIRC. I still had to check the tracking info every 2 hours though
. He shipped my order the day after I placed it.Packaging was also done well. It was bubble wrapped inside a small white box, which was also bubble wrapped inside a larger box. The packaging obviously worked, as my laser arrived safe and sound.
9 out of 10 points for packaging/shipping
Cosmetics
The 501b host feels good in my hand (both size and weight), seems solid, and is big enough to have a long duty cycle (60sec on/off) even with an aluminum heatsink. It is approx. 5" long, 1" in diameter (at the handle), and takes two 16340 batteries (protected ones fit fine). Here are some pics (sorry about the white balance - I was too busy to fix it).
The laser
Compared to other hosts (SFCG, SFCR, & O-Like Power Rock)
Again, 9 out of 10 points for Cosmetics
Performance
This laser clocked in at 1.2 watts, and quite stable too. As I do not have an LPM, I have no way to verify these charts, (I trust Eitan though). It burns like crazy, even when unfocused. The beam is also amazing, brighter (to me) than a 100mw green - much thicker too. It rarely hops modes. The laser does get warm in 45-60 seconds, so the duty cycle is a must.
The LPM chart
The unfocused dot
And some beamshots...
Before I cleaned the lens.
With a 100mw green
And with a 610mw 635 (my favorite pics)
If I get a chance, I will retouch the photos to take out some of the noise (I had to use a high ISO to get nice beams). I'll also work on some outdoor beam shots.
This laser takes a solid 60 out of 65 in performance.
Price
At about $120 including int. shipping, I feel that this laser was a great price.
5 out of 5 for price.
Finally, the minor annoyances section! The tailcap threads were not very smooth, even after lubrication. The laser heats up very quickly, but there's not much to be done about that except for paying more for a copper or extended heatsink. The lens it a bit wobbly (could use a spring or something to increase tension), which also causes the laser to unfocus quite easily.
For these minor issues, I'll take off 3 points.
Overall, This is a great laser (an an amazing seller), I'm absolutely satisfied and would highly recommend both to anyone. The quality and cutomer service were excellent, and the power is more than adequate for me (and I can always add a G-series lens if needed :eg
90 out of 100 points total
If you have any questions about it, or feel that I left anything out, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading.
