Morgan
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- Feb 5, 2009
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Hi All,
I recently purchased one of these in black - link: Waterproof Laser Host - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop - and have finally gotten round to inserting my 100mW green module from O-like that has been sitting around for far too long!
First, a little about the purchasing and delivery etc. This didn't go as smoothly as hoped for and my order did take a long time to reach me but there was a good reason for this. Jon at Odicforce had suffered a catastrophic server failure in the week before I bought, (circa April 2010), which effectively crippled his site. This meant that shopping cart, order placement, and email were all affected and the backlog had been overwhelming but after a phonecall the package arrived the next day so all was forgiven. I only mention this so that any other similar experiences a few weeks ago can be cleared up. Jon is a great guy and was extremely apologetic. I will have no problem ordering from him in future.
On with the review...
Here's my pic of this item
At only £9.98, (Around $15US), plus minimal shipping this is a budget host but very useable none-the-less. Fittings are nice and tight, aided by rubber o-rings that form the waterproof seals, and the finish is reasonably good. I have read that these are very similar to, if not identical to ones bought through Rayfoss but not having personally handled those ones I cannot say.
The first thing to be done to fit the module, (standard size green 532nm, 100mW from O-like $56 at the time I bought), was to by-pass the momentary switch. A very easy operation that only entails a short link wire and two solder points. Some modules may differ but this one has no other components nearby so the risks of damage, even for a complete novice, are minimal and should not put anyone off trying this, (a nod and a wink to any potential green kit purchasers!). Pic of the completed link...
Once the link was in, it was time to marry the module and host. Assembly configuration pic...
When first inserting the module it was obvious that even with quite a bit of force, it was not going to fit comfortably. I feel this is simply down to tolerances being at the wrong ends for both items so a little bit of turning on the newly refurbed lathe was in order, (no pic of this, sorry). For those not lucky enough to have a lathe to hand a patient session of sanding with a suitable grade emery paper will surfice. Having done this the parts went together with a nice interference fit with good electrical contact but not a permanent installation.
Coupling all together with a single 3V CR2, 600mAh battery, (also from O-like), I found the contact spring from the module was just shy of the battery but after a little tweak this was solved and hey presto! A nice little handheld laser...
The only issue I really have with this host is the quality of the clicky switch. At first the contact was intermittent at best and non-existent at worst. Pulling it apart, cleaning up the contacts and lengthening the spring to give more, 'push', has helped and so this is not a massive headache. It must also be remembered that this is a host at the lower end of the budget so, "You gets what you pays for". A better switch can always be installed at a later date but for now I am happy with my new Waterproof Green Laser!
All-in-all this assembly only took about 30mins including the tweaking, soldering and turning so a nice result from relatively little input. Power measurements have not been done at present and beamshots will have to wait until it's dark but I hope this review gives a good enough idea of what's involved should anyone want to assemble their own laser using these cheap but effective hosts.
Thanks for reading...
M
I recently purchased one of these in black - link: Waterproof Laser Host - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop - and have finally gotten round to inserting my 100mW green module from O-like that has been sitting around for far too long!
First, a little about the purchasing and delivery etc. This didn't go as smoothly as hoped for and my order did take a long time to reach me but there was a good reason for this. Jon at Odicforce had suffered a catastrophic server failure in the week before I bought, (circa April 2010), which effectively crippled his site. This meant that shopping cart, order placement, and email were all affected and the backlog had been overwhelming but after a phonecall the package arrived the next day so all was forgiven. I only mention this so that any other similar experiences a few weeks ago can be cleared up. Jon is a great guy and was extremely apologetic. I will have no problem ordering from him in future.
On with the review...
Here's my pic of this item
At only £9.98, (Around $15US), plus minimal shipping this is a budget host but very useable none-the-less. Fittings are nice and tight, aided by rubber o-rings that form the waterproof seals, and the finish is reasonably good. I have read that these are very similar to, if not identical to ones bought through Rayfoss but not having personally handled those ones I cannot say.
The first thing to be done to fit the module, (standard size green 532nm, 100mW from O-like $56 at the time I bought), was to by-pass the momentary switch. A very easy operation that only entails a short link wire and two solder points. Some modules may differ but this one has no other components nearby so the risks of damage, even for a complete novice, are minimal and should not put anyone off trying this, (a nod and a wink to any potential green kit purchasers!). Pic of the completed link...
Once the link was in, it was time to marry the module and host. Assembly configuration pic...
When first inserting the module it was obvious that even with quite a bit of force, it was not going to fit comfortably. I feel this is simply down to tolerances being at the wrong ends for both items so a little bit of turning on the newly refurbed lathe was in order, (no pic of this, sorry). For those not lucky enough to have a lathe to hand a patient session of sanding with a suitable grade emery paper will surfice. Having done this the parts went together with a nice interference fit with good electrical contact but not a permanent installation.
Coupling all together with a single 3V CR2, 600mAh battery, (also from O-like), I found the contact spring from the module was just shy of the battery but after a little tweak this was solved and hey presto! A nice little handheld laser...
The only issue I really have with this host is the quality of the clicky switch. At first the contact was intermittent at best and non-existent at worst. Pulling it apart, cleaning up the contacts and lengthening the spring to give more, 'push', has helped and so this is not a massive headache. It must also be remembered that this is a host at the lower end of the budget so, "You gets what you pays for". A better switch can always be installed at a later date but for now I am happy with my new Waterproof Green Laser!
All-in-all this assembly only took about 30mins including the tweaking, soldering and turning so a nice result from relatively little input. Power measurements have not been done at present and beamshots will have to wait until it's dark but I hope this review gives a good enough idea of what's involved should anyone want to assemble their own laser using these cheap but effective hosts.
Thanks for reading...
M
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