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FrozenGate by Avery

Lazerer LZCS 200mw 405nm Review

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This is a review of the LZCS 200mw 405nm laser from Lazerer.

LZCS - 405nm 200mW Focusable Violet Laser Pointer

Ordering/Shipping

I ordered the LZCS 200mw 405nm laser, the power certificate, and a 18650 lithium ion battery. This came out to 99.98 USD. The laser itself was 80 something. At first I encountered problems playing for this laser after I checked out because neither payment option (Visa or Western Union) would load properly. I emailed Max after about three tries and he replied in slightly less than one day and said that I could use paypal if I sent him my paypal address. I did so and things went smoothly from there. He also provided a tracking number without my asking.

Ordered 05/24/12
Shipped 05/28/12
Delivered at my house 06/06/12

The Laser

I ordered this particular laser in confidence because I was satisfied with another with the same host. It is built of hard black metal and has a focusing ring and a key-lock. Turning the focusing ring has a nice well lubricated feel to it and it will hold in place where you leave it. The button that turns the laser on has a good feel to it, better than most cheap new-wish hosts. It also comes with a wrist strap to prevent accidental drop.

On a side note, the warning label is not the same as shown on the product page. It has a red beam and several check-boxes corresponding to different powers. While it was correctly checked off as a 200mw, there was no indication of wavelength. This really isn't a big deal to me however in light of this laser's strengths.

The Light

After much reading on the properties of 405nm light, this laser meets expectations. I ordered the power certificate along with the laser and it said that it has a stable output of 245mw, which is 45 overspec! :D I do not have access to metering equipment to verify this. The dot is much brighter than my (supposed) 5mw cheap new-wish bluray and is also slightly brighter than a 5mw green. It is not as bright as my 50mw green. It is expected to be less bright than green lasers due to the human eye's lower sensitivity to this wavelength.

As far as the beam goes it can be seen clearly in the dark at a perpendicular viewing angle but is not extremly obvious. It becomes more obvious as you change that angle. I would say that it is slightly brighter than my 5mw greenie. The beam also appears significantly thicker than either of my green lasers. The beam can also be viewed in a dim room to a lesser extent. In a well lit (not daylight) it can only be seen reflecting off dust particles in the air if you point it towards you just past your head.

In the night outside the beam and dot go on for great distances. I am able to see it on trees 500 feet away but i'm sure it goes further. In comparison it is extremely difficult to see my 5mw 405nm laser dot at these distances at all. If shined on the white (non fluorescing) ceiling of a dark room, the light given off is strong enough to read by and navigate.

As it is a near UV laser, it does cause interesting effects with florescent/glow-in-the-dark objects. I would also have to say that it could be practical as a UV flashlight when focused to uncollimate the beam because it produces a very large area of illumination at close range.

The Heat

When set to infinity, it has minimal burning abilities. I was only able to smoke some black tape a little bit and punch holes through a tan plastic bag. It did however sting skin almost instantly. When set to focus, it was able to do a myriad of things. It can cut black tape, light white tipped matches, burn paper and etch wood. I have not tied things like popping a black vs white balloon or light a dark tipped match at infinity due to a lack of those materials.

Im comparison to my 50mw green it burns much better when both are focused but about the same when both are set to infinity. I suspect that this is due to 405nm having a thicker beam and thus less power density.

The Verdict

I would strongly reccommend this laser to anybody looking for a quality, up to spec, burning violet laser at an affordable price.

Photo Descriptions

1. The laser in my hand
2. Beamshot
3. Unfocused on wall
4. Comparison to 5mw violet
5. Comparison to 50mw green
6. Fluorescence
7. Safety Keylock
8. Burning the base of a wall. Notice the smoke (thin dark line) and burn marks. The bright violet line is from the camera.


Side Notes

* For comparison purposes I used some of my other lasers and I am confident that all are roughly with in spec. Neither my 5mw green or 5mw violet are capable of burning and the 5mw violet is quite dim.

**200mw of laser light is very dangerous and all appropriate safety precautions should be taken. Goggles are strongly reccommended.
 

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Sounds like you had a good buying experience .
You did a good job on the review also.
 
Nice review! I also got a violet laser from lazerer.com but it is a 500mW cyber. It burns like a beast :eg:

Will yours light the match?
 
Good review however the 3rd pic of the unit unfocused the particulates on the lens seem horrible. Search the site for a proper way to clean the lens and if that works great handheld, if not, that is just yuck!
 
I don't think I could clean the dirty lens without dissassembling the laser. The problem lens is behind the focusing one. I can tell because when I turn the focusing ring, the particles dont move.

Also even just cleaning the focusing lens is difficult with this model. The lens is buried deep in a tiny hole that is very hard to reach. I've has problems with a hazy ciricle with my 50mw greenie of this same model.
 
I recently bought this laser and am waiting for its arrival. I hope it does what yours can do! Etch wood? Dang! I however did not purchase the power certificate because for some reason it was not offered in my package:/
 
This laser has since died on me. Some connection in the button went out. I know this because if I pressed it with just the right amount pressure it would work. But eventually it quit working all together. I cant find any way to easily disassemble it to access the innards.

Hopefully yours lasts longer. Mine was really impressive while it did.
 
Belmaktor, do NOT tear it apart yet! If you don't have the skills to fix the switch, one of the members here most definitely will!

You can resurrect this fine laser. We have the technology.
 
Are you suggesting that I ship it to a forum member to fix it?

That is exactly what I am suggesting. There are many trustworthy members here who are surely capable of such work. Look for high reputation scores, find out what others are saying about various members. PM someone you know for a recommendation.

You will surely have a good experience if you pick wisely.
 
Nice review! Once I'm done building my 445nm, I'd really love to get a 405nm :)
 
Are the LZCS hosts the same as the SD-301 / "Laser 301" hosts? They certainly do look the same, have the same focusing ring, key switch and keys, can take both 18650's and 16340's, etc.
 





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