In late August, I ordered one of DealPerfect's "authentic" 5mw green DPSS laser pointers, item #21664. Delivery took 17 days from ordering. Price was approximately $12.
This is a twin AA green pointer claimed by DealPerfect to be assured of being no brighter than 5mw, and therefore reasonably likely to be eye-safe in normal use.
The pointer is well constructed from a mechanical standpoint and is comfortably heavy in the hand. Material appears to be aluminum with a dark, rubberized, coating applied to most of the body. The only notable flaws in mechanical construction are rough threads joining the head to battery compartment, a small dent in the head near the laser aperture, and the fact that the pocket clip is too stiff to be readily usable. The FDA sticker was also peeling upon delivery. These are, however, very minor issues.
Beam quality and performance does not live up to the pointer's mechanical build quality. Both collamination (spot size) and beam power is highly unstable depending on thermal conditions and the orientation of the pointer. Best output occurs when the pointer is aimed within +20/-90 degrees of horizontal and rotated such that the switch points downward. Within this attitude range, the beam is very nearly TEM00 and has no artifacts. If the pointer is used with the switch pointing upwards or to the user's left, however, the beam widens into an irregular glowing blob or dims to an extremely low level.
It would appear the DPSS crystals were not properly secured to the module housing during production.
Electrically, this pointer will operate equally badly on both NIMH and alkaline batteries.
As this is both my first experience with DPSS lasers and with DX-style Chinese vendors I am unsure if this quality is normal for Chinese DPSS pointers at this price point. Is this typical or did I happen to get a dud?
DealPerfect does not appear to accept returns or offer any warranty, but had I purchased this pointer from a retail store, however, I would have returned it.
Photos to follow shortly.
This is a twin AA green pointer claimed by DealPerfect to be assured of being no brighter than 5mw, and therefore reasonably likely to be eye-safe in normal use.
The pointer is well constructed from a mechanical standpoint and is comfortably heavy in the hand. Material appears to be aluminum with a dark, rubberized, coating applied to most of the body. The only notable flaws in mechanical construction are rough threads joining the head to battery compartment, a small dent in the head near the laser aperture, and the fact that the pocket clip is too stiff to be readily usable. The FDA sticker was also peeling upon delivery. These are, however, very minor issues.
Beam quality and performance does not live up to the pointer's mechanical build quality. Both collamination (spot size) and beam power is highly unstable depending on thermal conditions and the orientation of the pointer. Best output occurs when the pointer is aimed within +20/-90 degrees of horizontal and rotated such that the switch points downward. Within this attitude range, the beam is very nearly TEM00 and has no artifacts. If the pointer is used with the switch pointing upwards or to the user's left, however, the beam widens into an irregular glowing blob or dims to an extremely low level.
It would appear the DPSS crystals were not properly secured to the module housing during production.
Electrically, this pointer will operate equally badly on both NIMH and alkaline batteries.
As this is both my first experience with DPSS lasers and with DX-style Chinese vendors I am unsure if this quality is normal for Chinese DPSS pointers at this price point. Is this typical or did I happen to get a dud?
DealPerfect does not appear to accept returns or offer any warranty, but had I purchased this pointer from a retail store, however, I would have returned it.
Photos to follow shortly.
