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Mini-review of JetLasers PL-C 250mW+ 532nm handheld laser (w/ Pix)
This is my first review of a laser product and my first portable 532nm laser. So a first for both! Also, I’m more interested in the beam of this laser than in burning capabilities (in fact I could care less about burning). However, I have some sample burns described further on in this review for those who are interested. And one more thing, I do not own or have access to an LPM - so no power measurements.
The purchase of the JetLasers PL-C 250mW+ laser was through a group buy on LPF and led by Hakzaw1 who did a fantastic job in keeping this GB moving along and responding to PMs and posts. Additionally, Gray from JetLasers was actively involved in posting information and replies quickly – his English was very good and understandable. Overall this GB was fun and informative. As an added bonus for being part of this GB, JetLasers threw in laser glasses and a laser tripod. You gotta love that!
Because of a commitment for a Halloween party with “lasers”, I requested getting my laser rushed shipped to me so it would arrive on time. Gray did an outstanding job in having the laser assembled and shipped UPS in two (2) days. Unbelievable - and without and snags with customs! Thanks Gray!
Additionally, I requested my tripod and glasses be sent early as well. Since these items had already been shipped to Hakzaw1 in the US, he sent these items separately via USPS and arrived in three (3) days. Now, Hakzaw1 was kind enough to include a small plug for the tail cap defeat that works great – no wires hanging out the back of the laser host. Nice job and thanks Hakzaw! These items came in handy.
The packaging for the laser showed a little rough handling in transit but overall the product was well protected. Received with the laser was a battery charger, keys for laser ignition, an external plug (for safety) and lanyard.
The packaging for tripod and glasses from JetLasers (via Hakzaw1) were well protected and in very good shape.
Now, for portable lasers, all I had before this purchase was a WL Arctic G1 and I thought the Arctic was amazing. However, I think the overall build, built in safety features and quality of the JetLasers PL-C is way superior. The fit and finish is top quality, the aperture mechanism smooth, key fits snug and the tail cap screws in tightly and firmly. The 18650 battery is a very tight fit (using Tenergy - protected) and takes a little coaxing to pull the battery back out.
The power switch is in the middle of the host and takes very little pressure to turn on and off the laser. Be careful, the laser could turn on without your knowledge if you have the safety key removal option (and on the “on” position) and the tail plug in. Also, the ignition light indicator is very bright; I cover the light with my thumb when I’m using the laser since that LED is somewhat distracting.
This laser is very bright and compares nicely to the Arctic beam-wise. The PL-C has a much tighter beam divergence and “cleaner” beam. A very nice circular dot upon beam termination.
Now for the requisite burning stats:
- Black balloon – 3 seconds 5 inches away from the laser;
- Black balloon – 5 seconds 20 feet away from laser;
- Black electrical tape – about 10 seconds to work its way through cutting the tape in half;
- Wood matches – about 6 seconds 3 inches away from laser.
As I stated before, I could care less about burning but there seems to be a group of folks on this forum who like this stuff. Frankly, if I wanted to burn and cut materials, I would use another laser suitable for this purpose; say an 800 W C02 that I use to operate.
Also, my Arctic performed much better in the burning category that the laser in this review, but what do you expect: 250mW vs. about 780mw Arctic.
The laser glasses that were provided by JetLasers seem to work very well. When the glasses are worn I could hardly see the beam dot and could not see the beam as well. Very little 532nm light made it through these glasses. The construction is solid and theylook stylish.
The tripod provided by JetLasers works just fine. It’s a simple device and holds my PL-C and Arctic securely. The construction is very solid and the quality top notch for this tripod. It’s a handy device to have around.
Pictures are below with brief captions.
I hope you enjoyed my brief review. I highly recommend JetLasers as a source for lasers. Great customer service and quality products.
Eric (FrontStone).
PS. Note about the pictures: some of the shots were done on my Blackberry and some on an old digital camera. I’m new to shooting low light pictures so these are the best I could assemble.
The box with the laser and accessories from JetLasers.
Opened box showing the laser, tail cap, battery charger, tail cap plug and lanyard.
Tripod, laser glasses and case from JetLasers (via Hakzaw1).
Night beam shot.
Another night beam shot.
Beam shot with camera flash going off.
Night beam shot with laser pointed to the sky. Please notice the blue LED ignition indicator reflection to the right. The laser has a bright LED when the laser is on.
This is my first review of a laser product and my first portable 532nm laser. So a first for both! Also, I’m more interested in the beam of this laser than in burning capabilities (in fact I could care less about burning). However, I have some sample burns described further on in this review for those who are interested. And one more thing, I do not own or have access to an LPM - so no power measurements.
The purchase of the JetLasers PL-C 250mW+ laser was through a group buy on LPF and led by Hakzaw1 who did a fantastic job in keeping this GB moving along and responding to PMs and posts. Additionally, Gray from JetLasers was actively involved in posting information and replies quickly – his English was very good and understandable. Overall this GB was fun and informative. As an added bonus for being part of this GB, JetLasers threw in laser glasses and a laser tripod. You gotta love that!
Because of a commitment for a Halloween party with “lasers”, I requested getting my laser rushed shipped to me so it would arrive on time. Gray did an outstanding job in having the laser assembled and shipped UPS in two (2) days. Unbelievable - and without and snags with customs! Thanks Gray!
Additionally, I requested my tripod and glasses be sent early as well. Since these items had already been shipped to Hakzaw1 in the US, he sent these items separately via USPS and arrived in three (3) days. Now, Hakzaw1 was kind enough to include a small plug for the tail cap defeat that works great – no wires hanging out the back of the laser host. Nice job and thanks Hakzaw! These items came in handy.
The packaging for the laser showed a little rough handling in transit but overall the product was well protected. Received with the laser was a battery charger, keys for laser ignition, an external plug (for safety) and lanyard.
The packaging for tripod and glasses from JetLasers (via Hakzaw1) were well protected and in very good shape.
Now, for portable lasers, all I had before this purchase was a WL Arctic G1 and I thought the Arctic was amazing. However, I think the overall build, built in safety features and quality of the JetLasers PL-C is way superior. The fit and finish is top quality, the aperture mechanism smooth, key fits snug and the tail cap screws in tightly and firmly. The 18650 battery is a very tight fit (using Tenergy - protected) and takes a little coaxing to pull the battery back out.
The power switch is in the middle of the host and takes very little pressure to turn on and off the laser. Be careful, the laser could turn on without your knowledge if you have the safety key removal option (and on the “on” position) and the tail plug in. Also, the ignition light indicator is very bright; I cover the light with my thumb when I’m using the laser since that LED is somewhat distracting.
This laser is very bright and compares nicely to the Arctic beam-wise. The PL-C has a much tighter beam divergence and “cleaner” beam. A very nice circular dot upon beam termination.
Now for the requisite burning stats:
- Black balloon – 3 seconds 5 inches away from the laser;
- Black balloon – 5 seconds 20 feet away from laser;
- Black electrical tape – about 10 seconds to work its way through cutting the tape in half;
- Wood matches – about 6 seconds 3 inches away from laser.
As I stated before, I could care less about burning but there seems to be a group of folks on this forum who like this stuff. Frankly, if I wanted to burn and cut materials, I would use another laser suitable for this purpose; say an 800 W C02 that I use to operate.
Also, my Arctic performed much better in the burning category that the laser in this review, but what do you expect: 250mW vs. about 780mw Arctic.
The laser glasses that were provided by JetLasers seem to work very well. When the glasses are worn I could hardly see the beam dot and could not see the beam as well. Very little 532nm light made it through these glasses. The construction is solid and theylook stylish.
The tripod provided by JetLasers works just fine. It’s a simple device and holds my PL-C and Arctic securely. The construction is very solid and the quality top notch for this tripod. It’s a handy device to have around.
Pictures are below with brief captions.
I hope you enjoyed my brief review. I highly recommend JetLasers as a source for lasers. Great customer service and quality products.
Eric (FrontStone).
PS. Note about the pictures: some of the shots were done on my Blackberry and some on an old digital camera. I’m new to shooting low light pictures so these are the best I could assemble.
The box with the laser and accessories from JetLasers.
Opened box showing the laser, tail cap, battery charger, tail cap plug and lanyard.
Tripod, laser glasses and case from JetLasers (via Hakzaw1).
Night beam shot.
Another night beam shot.
Beam shot with camera flash going off.
Night beam shot with laser pointed to the sky. Please notice the blue LED ignition indicator reflection to the right. The laser has a bright LED when the laser is on.
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