- Joined
- Sep 13, 2010
- Messages
- 443
- Points
- 18
EDIT 3/17/2011:
I just received the replacement. I have waited over 2 months... In that time, O-like forgot I had paid extra for DHL return shipping and an upgrade to the 300mW version. The replacement is still a 250mW model and took 15 days total to get to me. I have been in contact with Susie about a refund for the upgraded model and shipping that I didn't receive. Last night she sent me an email saying I should be refunded the money in 1-3 days.
The new laser I received has a much better focus ring than the original that I had. It feels smooth and sturdy. This one has a wrist strap on it (which my first one didn't come with). The dot has a little more splash around it (besides the line from the diode) than my other but it isn't terrible. If anyone needs to know any additional information about it just comment on this thread or pm me. I will also try to upload more beamshots as the current ones aren't great.
I used a DMM and found that it pulls exactly 300mA from the battery. I tested this with 3 different batteries. I feel like that isn't enough to make it to the min 220mW that O-like claims, but I don't know.
EDIT 1/26/11: Changed title to 300mW because that is how O-like sells it now.
EDIT 1/26/11: I was one of the people who bought this laser when they were sold as 250mW. Since then, the diode died and I am waiting for a replacement (300mW) to arrive. All the videos and pictures in this review are of the old 250mW one.
First off: the day this arrived, o-like took it off their website. So i am going to post a link to the 300mW version that's only $5 more. I bought mine for $60 shipped.
Cute High power 300mW red laser troch/focusable [OL-CR-250] - $59.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
if you go to the link, the 300mW laser has the same model number that mine does. I'm not sure what this means, but i'm guessing they just turned up the pot or something. I guess the diode in mine will last awhile considering it can handle 300mW.
The basics:
1) Wavelength: 650+/-10 nm
2) Working voltage: DC 3.6V
3) Output power: >220mW I do not have a lpm but i trust that o-like sent me one that is at least up-to-spec if not overspec.
4) Laser shape: Dot (when focused a small line through the dot)
5) Dimensions: 20mm (dia.) x110 (L) mm
6) Oxidation appearance disposal
7) Click-on/click-off button
8) Divergence (when focused to infinity): will find later when i have time.
9) Duty Cycle: unknown. I have had it on continuously for about 1.5-2 minutes at room temp. without it feeling warm.
10) Battery: cr123a rechargeable li-ion battery. It comes with one as well as a charger.
11) Battery Life: depends on how much you use it. I used it quite a bit for a few days before it went dim. This is with 880mAh 3.7V Ultrafire protected battery. I believe the battery lasted about an hour of use total? Note: this is not the battery it originally came with. It comes with a 3.6V 1000mAh battery.
The host is very small (i have dropped it quite a few times because i forgot it was in my lap, etc...) but it feels very high quality. It fits into pretty much any pocket easily. The battery cap threads are lubricated and are very smooth (they also don't squeak). The on/off button has a good solid feel and click to it.
I can slightly see the beam in a lit room with not a whole lot of dust. At night it is about as bright as my "5mw" true green DX pen but the red beam goes further. I believe this is due to the atmosphere and Reyleigh Scattering (i don't really know much about this) and partially because when focused to infinity, it has a better beam divergence than the pen.
The focus ring is the only problem on the entire thing. It seems pretty loose. It's not that big of a deal but don't try to make it a little better like i did. I tried stretching the spring an extra mm and then it wouldn't focus at all. It would always just pop into one spot so it would be focused about 1 inch in front of the aperture. I just fixed this by compressing the spring again. If you do not care about burning, i asked Susie (about a GREEN version in this style) if a fixed focus can be installed. She said she could install a fixed focus in the green model so i am guessing she can in this one too.
EDIT: I was able to shoot off fireworks for new years and this laser works great. It lights fireworks' fuses about as fast as a normal lighter (if not faster).
I will also be working on some more beamshot pictures compared to my 5mW DX pen as well as a 160mW rayfoss greenie (the cheapest 150mW model: has the 6 LEDs).
So, overall: I would rate this 4 out of 5 stars because of the loose focus ring issue. It is a very good laser besides that and i would recommend it to anyone.
PLEASE NOTE: This does not come with safety glasses. You will have to buy some separately if you do not already own some.
Also, this is my first review. I tried to cover everything i could think of. If i made any mistakes or didn't cover everything, please let me know so that i can fix it.
EDIT 1/26/11: I made Flickr and Photobucket accounts since I first made this review. I should have most (if not all) of the pictures in this review also posted on both of those sites. My account for both is david1235102 if you want to look them up. Photobucket has the pictures in 800 x 600 resolution and Flickr has them in their full 14.1 megapixel resolution. If you want links to my accounts, just look in my signature under the 360mW O-like Blu-ray Laser. Once I have the replacement red, my 1.4W 445, and the lasers currently with me: 160mW Rayfoss greenie, and the blu-ray, I will take some shots with all the lasers
EDIT: IT JUST DIED!! FIXED now.
I just received the replacement. I have waited over 2 months... In that time, O-like forgot I had paid extra for DHL return shipping and an upgrade to the 300mW version. The replacement is still a 250mW model and took 15 days total to get to me. I have been in contact with Susie about a refund for the upgraded model and shipping that I didn't receive. Last night she sent me an email saying I should be refunded the money in 1-3 days.
The new laser I received has a much better focus ring than the original that I had. It feels smooth and sturdy. This one has a wrist strap on it (which my first one didn't come with). The dot has a little more splash around it (besides the line from the diode) than my other but it isn't terrible. If anyone needs to know any additional information about it just comment on this thread or pm me. I will also try to upload more beamshots as the current ones aren't great.
I used a DMM and found that it pulls exactly 300mA from the battery. I tested this with 3 different batteries. I feel like that isn't enough to make it to the min 220mW that O-like claims, but I don't know.
EDIT 1/26/11: Changed title to 300mW because that is how O-like sells it now.
EDIT 1/26/11: I was one of the people who bought this laser when they were sold as 250mW. Since then, the diode died and I am waiting for a replacement (300mW) to arrive. All the videos and pictures in this review are of the old 250mW one.
First off: the day this arrived, o-like took it off their website. So i am going to post a link to the 300mW version that's only $5 more. I bought mine for $60 shipped.
Cute High power 300mW red laser troch/focusable [OL-CR-250] - $59.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
if you go to the link, the 300mW laser has the same model number that mine does. I'm not sure what this means, but i'm guessing they just turned up the pot or something. I guess the diode in mine will last awhile considering it can handle 300mW.
The basics:
1) Wavelength: 650+/-10 nm
2) Working voltage: DC 3.6V
3) Output power: >220mW I do not have a lpm but i trust that o-like sent me one that is at least up-to-spec if not overspec.
4) Laser shape: Dot (when focused a small line through the dot)
5) Dimensions: 20mm (dia.) x110 (L) mm
6) Oxidation appearance disposal
7) Click-on/click-off button
8) Divergence (when focused to infinity): will find later when i have time.
9) Duty Cycle: unknown. I have had it on continuously for about 1.5-2 minutes at room temp. without it feeling warm.
10) Battery: cr123a rechargeable li-ion battery. It comes with one as well as a charger.
11) Battery Life: depends on how much you use it. I used it quite a bit for a few days before it went dim. This is with 880mAh 3.7V Ultrafire protected battery. I believe the battery lasted about an hour of use total? Note: this is not the battery it originally came with. It comes with a 3.6V 1000mAh battery.
The host is very small (i have dropped it quite a few times because i forgot it was in my lap, etc...) but it feels very high quality. It fits into pretty much any pocket easily. The battery cap threads are lubricated and are very smooth (they also don't squeak). The on/off button has a good solid feel and click to it.
I can slightly see the beam in a lit room with not a whole lot of dust. At night it is about as bright as my "5mw" true green DX pen but the red beam goes further. I believe this is due to the atmosphere and Reyleigh Scattering (i don't really know much about this) and partially because when focused to infinity, it has a better beam divergence than the pen.
The focus ring is the only problem on the entire thing. It seems pretty loose. It's not that big of a deal but don't try to make it a little better like i did. I tried stretching the spring an extra mm and then it wouldn't focus at all. It would always just pop into one spot so it would be focused about 1 inch in front of the aperture. I just fixed this by compressing the spring again. If you do not care about burning, i asked Susie (about a GREEN version in this style) if a fixed focus can be installed. She said she could install a fixed focus in the green model so i am guessing she can in this one too.
EDIT: I was able to shoot off fireworks for new years and this laser works great. It lights fireworks' fuses about as fast as a normal lighter (if not faster).
I will also be working on some more beamshot pictures compared to my 5mW DX pen as well as a 160mW rayfoss greenie (the cheapest 150mW model: has the 6 LEDs).
So, overall: I would rate this 4 out of 5 stars because of the loose focus ring issue. It is a very good laser besides that and i would recommend it to anyone.
PLEASE NOTE: This does not come with safety glasses. You will have to buy some separately if you do not already own some.
Also, this is my first review. I tried to cover everything i could think of. If i made any mistakes or didn't cover everything, please let me know so that i can fix it.
EDIT 1/26/11: I made Flickr and Photobucket accounts since I first made this review. I should have most (if not all) of the pictures in this review also posted on both of those sites. My account for both is david1235102 if you want to look them up. Photobucket has the pictures in 800 x 600 resolution and Flickr has them in their full 14.1 megapixel resolution. If you want links to my accounts, just look in my signature under the 360mW O-like Blu-ray Laser. Once I have the replacement red, my 1.4W 445, and the lasers currently with me: 160mW Rayfoss greenie, and the blu-ray, I will take some shots with all the lasers
EDIT: IT JUST DIED!!
FIXED now.Attachments
Last edited:
