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- Jul 3, 2009
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I took some time to put a review together of my new 473nm CNI Pen, but also wanted to offer a review of my first experience with Glenn a.k.a Scopeguy20 here on LPF. I say first experience because there is no doubt we will do business again as long as he is running this group buy.
I don't think Im alone when I say I have wanted this laser for years. The only thing holding me back was pretty much the price tag. This is my first experience with a 473nm laser.
I got into the 5th CNI group buy at the last minute, literally. I pm'd Glenn, asking if I still had time to get in, and I was informed that he was just about to place the order and I had to send my payment immediately. The problem was I wanted to use a money order instead of paying the paypal fee's. So listen to this... Glenn spots me $300+ dollars, and takes my word that I would send the money order immediately. I thought that was incredibly nice of him, it saved me from having to wait another 2 months to get it.
Glenn is great to deal with, friendly, helpful, and ships your stuff out at what seems like speed of light. I cannot say it enough, if you want the quality products that CNI has to offer, and a laser that will almost always be over-spec... Go with this guy!
Picture Courtesy of LaserGlow:
I recently picked up a fog machine, and while you don't need smoke or fog to see the beam and enjoy this beast, you can really get your money's worth by adding some. I reviewed walmart's $25 fogger a few days ago, and it's posted along with this in the review section.
Here's the link: http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/review-25-walmart-fog-machine-44068.html
Even in a well lit room, adding some smoke or fog really brings out the great color of this laser. Its so bright and solid, it's hard not to love the color. Something so different from the red, green, and blu-ray were all so used to. It looks nothing like 405nm blu-ray. The only time you can compare the two, is when blu-ray laser is shined on something white. They result in the same color. So if you have a blu-ray, shine it at a white shirt or something, and thats what us 473nm owners experience all the time. I tried to take a lot of pictures. I have probably taken over 50 in the past couple days, from different angles, lighting, and using various amounts of smoke. Ill post the some of the better ones since Im limited to uploads.
Glenn's Group Buy Price: $315 USD Shipped
Dragon Lasers: $399.99 + Shipping
LaserGlow Pricing:
My 16mW unit would have cost me $900-$1800. However I only paid $315 through the CNI Group Buy. I feel quite fortunate.
If you can afford to shell out $315 this is a must own. Even if you can't afford to shell out $315... its still a must own. In all seriousness though, its worth every penny. Even without being able to pop balloons, light matches, and burn random stuff this guy is my new favorite. I have fallen in love with thing. Its given me a feeling similar to what I went through when I got my first red and then green lasers, but better. If your thinking about it buying one, but not sure whether or not it's worth it, I advise you that it is. I will most likely by another one down the road, and if Glenn still does his thing I will order it through him.
Im sure many of you cannot justify the cost, or think that spending that kind of money on such a low power laser is crazy. However you have to realize what kind of work is put into designing and creating a pointer like this. It is not diode driven, which means IR laser is converted to the 473nm wavelength that comes out of the aperture. They have to use and align crystal's and optics to achieve this... Which means time and energy spent on making each unit, in addition to the technology. Thus a I gave a 10 for value. I consider the price I paid to be a steal. Thanks once more Glenn, and If anyone has any questions or would like any additional pics or info, just ask...
Thanks for taking the time to read this...
Enjoy the pic's, # 7 shows the 16mW 473nm CNI next to a 150mW red, and my Optotronics 150mW green pen. Its actually quite bright next to the two more powerful lasers. As promised heres a link to the you-tube video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt5IXzXFwks
-Greg
I don't think Im alone when I say I have wanted this laser for years. The only thing holding me back was pretty much the price tag. This is my first experience with a 473nm laser.
My Experience with Glenn
I got into the 5th CNI group buy at the last minute, literally. I pm'd Glenn, asking if I still had time to get in, and I was informed that he was just about to place the order and I had to send my payment immediately. The problem was I wanted to use a money order instead of paying the paypal fee's. So listen to this... Glenn spots me $300+ dollars, and takes my word that I would send the money order immediately. I thought that was incredibly nice of him, it saved me from having to wait another 2 months to get it.
Glenn is great to deal with, friendly, helpful, and ships your stuff out at what seems like speed of light. I cannot say it enough, if you want the quality products that CNI has to offer, and a laser that will almost always be over-spec... Go with this guy!
Review of <5mW 473nm CNI Pen a.k.a " The Aquarius "
Picture Courtesy of LaserGlow:
- Model : GLP-473
- Wavelength: 473nm
- Specified Output Power: 5mW
- Average Output Power: 16mW
- Battery type: 1x CR2
- +/-: Case positive
- On/Off: Momentary push button
- Beam diameter: 1mm
- Divergence: 1.2mRad
- Mode: Tem01
- Dimensions: 155 X 25 X25 mm
- Finish: High Gloss Blue / Gold
- Price: $315 USD Shipped
My Impressions:drool:
- Beautiful Design
- Heavy & Durable
- Loose Floating Button (A Good Thing)
I recently picked up a fog machine, and while you don't need smoke or fog to see the beam and enjoy this beast, you can really get your money's worth by adding some. I reviewed walmart's $25 fogger a few days ago, and it's posted along with this in the review section.
Here's the link: http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/review-25-walmart-fog-machine-44068.html
Even in a well lit room, adding some smoke or fog really brings out the great color of this laser. Its so bright and solid, it's hard not to love the color. Something so different from the red, green, and blu-ray were all so used to. It looks nothing like 405nm blu-ray. The only time you can compare the two, is when blu-ray laser is shined on something white. They result in the same color. So if you have a blu-ray, shine it at a white shirt or something, and thats what us 473nm owners experience all the time. I tried to take a lot of pictures. I have probably taken over 50 in the past couple days, from different angles, lighting, and using various amounts of smoke. Ill post the some of the better ones since Im limited to uploads.
Comparative Pricing
:beer:Glenn's Group Buy Price: $315 USD Shipped
Dragon Lasers: $399.99 + Shipping
LaserGlow Pricing:
My 16mW unit would have cost me $900-$1800. However I only paid $315 through the CNI Group Buy. I feel quite fortunate.
Overall
If you can afford to shell out $315 this is a must own. Even if you can't afford to shell out $315... its still a must own. In all seriousness though, its worth every penny. Even without being able to pop balloons, light matches, and burn random stuff this guy is my new favorite. I have fallen in love with thing. Its given me a feeling similar to what I went through when I got my first red and then green lasers, but better. If your thinking about it buying one, but not sure whether or not it's worth it, I advise you that it is. I will most likely by another one down the road, and if Glenn still does his thing I will order it through him.
- Overall Look Physically: 9/10
- Beam Divergence: 10/10
- Beam Brightness: 9/10
- Stability: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Fun Factor 10/10
- Overall 10/10
Im sure many of you cannot justify the cost, or think that spending that kind of money on such a low power laser is crazy. However you have to realize what kind of work is put into designing and creating a pointer like this. It is not diode driven, which means IR laser is converted to the 473nm wavelength that comes out of the aperture. They have to use and align crystal's and optics to achieve this... Which means time and energy spent on making each unit, in addition to the technology. Thus a I gave a 10 for value. I consider the price I paid to be a steal. Thanks once more Glenn, and If anyone has any questions or would like any additional pics or info, just ask...
Thanks for taking the time to read this...
Enjoy the pic's, # 7 shows the 16mW 473nm CNI next to a 150mW red, and my Optotronics 150mW green pen. Its actually quite bright next to the two more powerful lasers. As promised heres a link to the you-tube video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt5IXzXFwks
-Greg
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