Review of the American Science & Surplus Red Laser Pointer

The American Science & Surplus Red Laser Pointer is...what else...a red-emitting directly-injected diode laser. That is, it produces red laser radiation directly, without the need for messy, fragile nonlinear crystals like those green laser pointers and the amberish-yellow and blue ones as well. It uses two AAA cells -- the same power source used in most other "pen-style" laser pointers and laser modules.

It is advertised to output 5mW of laser radiation at ~650nm.

It comes in a handsome brass body with a black finish and gold colored bezel, tailcap, and pocket clip.


SIZE



To get the laser to turn on, first be certain that there are a pair of AAA cells installed. If there isn't, then install them (see directly below; they're included), and THEN you can go irradiate something.

Press & hold down the button on the barrel for as long as you want or need the laser spot, and release pressure on the button to turn the laser back off.






To change the batteries in this laser pointer, unscrew the laser near the "business-end", and set the upper portion aside.

Tip the two used AAA cells out of the barrel and into your hand, and dispose of, recycle, or recharge them as you see fit.

Insert two new AAA cells into the barrel, nipple-end (+) positive first. This is the opposite of how batteries are installed in most flashlights, so please pay attention to polarity here.

Screw the front portion of the tube back on, and be done with it.

Unable to measure current use due to how this laser was constructed.




This is a self-contained laser , and not a flashlight meant to be carried around, thrashed, trashed, and abused - so I won't abuse it in the name of science. Lasers are meant to be loved, not punished.

Even if I were to abuse it, this is a directly-injected laser who's active components are the inverter circuit, the laser diode, and the collimating lens. So it should withstand accidents better than a DPSS (diode pumped solid state) laser - the type of laser assembly found in yellow (593.5nm), green (532nm) and blue (473nm) laser pointers. These lasers have several additional components (crystals, filters, etc.) in the optical train, and you can knock them out of alignment by doing little more than looking at them the wrong way. And if any of these components are knocked out of whack, you'll no longer get your yellow, green, or blue laser beam.

Though you still do not want to intentionally drop your red-emitting laser because it's a precision optical instrument.




TEST NOTES:
Test unit was purchased on Amazon.com on 02-04-11 (or "04 Feb 2011" or even "Feb 04 Twenty Double Sticks if you prefer), and was received at 3:47pm PST on 02-10-11 (or "10 Feb 2011" or even "Feb 10, Twenty Double Sticks" if you prefer).

I have decided to rate this wonderful little laser four stars!!!
If something happens down the road, I can always derate it if necessary.


UPDATE: 00-00-00


PROS:
Uses inexpensive and readily available batteries
The price is right!



CONS:
No CDRH-mandated laser warning label on laser itself or on packaging
Feels a bit on the "chintzy" side



<ul>

MANUFACTURER: Unknown
PRODUCT TYPE: Red-emitting laser pointer
LAMP TYPE: Directly-injected red-emitting laser diode
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Very narrow spot
SWITCH TYPE: Momentary on/off button on barrel
CASE MATERIAL: Brass
BEZEL: Metal; laser & lens recessed into its end
BATTERY: 2x AAA cells
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
WATER- AND URANATION-RESISTANT: Light splatter-resistant at maximum
SUBMERSIBLE: For Christ sakes NO!!!
ACCESSORIES: Batteries, foam-lined cardboard storage case
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: China
WARRANTY: Unknown/not stated



PRODUCT RATING:

A 4$ red AAA pen?


Just kidding...

I really enjoy your thorough reviews, but lately you seem to review mostly
crappy <5$ lasers. What's up with that?

Such a shame, especially in light of the awesome equipment you have access to.
*HINT*
Maybe you would agree to have other members send you a unit of theirs they
would like to know more about, especially wavelength wise?
*HINT*
:anyone:

I look forward to read some more reviews of yours, but of some BADASS lasers.

anselm said:

I really enjoy your thorough reviews, but lately you seem to review mostly
crappy <5$ lasers. What's up with that?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry that you're disappointed; I review generally what I can afford -- and on my disability stipend, that's often those $4.00 laser pens.
I do get a bit of money in the spring every year; so that's what I use to purchase some of the more expen$ive lasers you see me with -- such as this one and this one. But the rest of the time, I'm generally limited to those inexpen$ive laser pens unless a manufacturer sends me something for evaluation purposes.

anselm said:

Such a shame, especially in light of the awesome equipment you have access to.
*HINT*
Maybe you would agree to have other members send you a unit of theirs they
would like to know more about, especially wavelength wise?
*HINT*
:anyone:

I look forward to read some more reviews of yours, but of some BADASS lasers.

Click to expand...

I would love to have such an agreement, but that would be a logistical nightmare for two primary reasons.

1: Money -- or lack thereof -- to pay for return shipping.

2: There is no post office or other shipping facility nearby; the closest is The UPS Store located approx. 2.8 miles (~4.510km) from here "as the crow flies", I do not own or have access to a vehicle, and it is not on a bus line. Although I can get there in my electric wheelchair (it's a ~45 minute trip one way), this chair offers no protection from the "liquid sunshine" that the Seattle area is known for.