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Review of Sper Pocket LPM Part 1

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Review of Sper Scientific Pocket Laser Power Meter 840011


PART 1
(Please note: this is a work in progress, more review will be added in Part 2. ASAP)

Waiting on delivery of Kenometer Lite LPMs for comparison. Also comparison results using Sensor/DMM and IR Themometer LMPs will be added

The 840011 was designed for field testing of DVD,VCD, CD and MD(mini disk) players

Pros:
- As its name describes this meter is compact at (when closed) only 3/4th inches thick--4 1/2 inches tall and 3 inches wide(18 X 177 X 76mms). Fits easily in shirt pocket and weighs 3.8 ounces.

-The meter is ready to use when received the batteries in installed and included(SR-44 X2) replacement batteries are inexpensive and easy to find in any drugstore or at Radioshack-on ebay etc.

-It works with wavelengths from 400nm to 1100nm and uses 633nm HeNe as reference
(Multiply by 1.0) max. laser output of 40 mWs. ---Higher mWs MAY possibly be done using a beam splitter cube ot ND filter


Further testing on this will appear in Part 2 of this review.

One of the 'Considerations' printed on the back of the meter states: 'Do not attempt to take over-range measurments(40 mW)'.
If you try to read a 633nm laser that is over 40 mW the meter reads 40.0 and blinks-I am guessing that I did not harm the meter when trying this however it was a very quick test and I would strongly advise advoiding exposure of the meter to over-range lasers, just to be safe.
BR lasers can be measured up to approx.160 mWs @ 405nm and green @532nm up to a approx. max of 62 mWs(using a factor of reading x 1.55) as the meter comes, without use of ND filter or BS Cube.
I assume that any laser capable of burning should always be metered with extra care to avoid damage to sensor/meters.
The same button that open the case doubles as a 'hold' for Min/Max display.
Accuracy from manual is +/-5%25@calibrated +/-5%@calibrated wavelength 633 nm / 1mW.
Other specs can be read from links below.

By keeping a small calculator at hand doing the conversions for other than 633nm lasers is not any problem.
The best price I found was from AixiZ who is a Sper distributor for this made in Japan pocket LPM.
The meter arrived well packaged and quite fast (BTW shipping is from Houston TX & I live about an hour away).
AixiZ ships world -wide and has an excellent record for customer support, quick & reasonable (combined)shipping, and quality products.
They have a very high positive feedback(99.6%) and feedback over 6135.

A few years back I contacted AixiZ in inquire about local pick-up(on two 50+mW green labbies) to save shipping-I was replied to the same day, a Houston phone number was given to arrange pick-up AND free shipping was also offered- I opted for that shipping option and had my labbies arrived in a few days-better than described and over spec as well. AND Still working great!!!****************************************** ************************************************** **************************


Cons:

-The meter does not come with a case-a suitable one can be found at most thrift shops for nearly free- I am keeping mine in a digital camera case($.50).

-As far as I know, higher power lasers may be used with this meter by using ND Filters(2-4 or 8) I have ordered a set of all three from Ebay for about 25$ shipped(waiting on del.) Another possible source of these filters may be a pawn shop or camera store(used).

-I had a little problem reading the LCD screen on he meter due to the brightness of the laser dot on the sensor- this was easily overcome by shining a LED mini flashlight on the LCD(may not be much of a problem for a younger person-my eyes are 62 yrs old -LOL)

-another 'Consideration' from the back of the meter states: ' Do not pinch the probe's wire in the unit's cover.' This is easily avoided by placing the probe back into it's slot inside the unit before closing (recommended). If you forget to turn the meter's dial back to 'off' the meter has auto-shut off(after 30 min.) to save the batteries. I try to remember to turn off after each use.

-It is also recommended to avoid exposure to excess direct sunlight.

More info and photos will be added in Part 2. Here are links to see more.

I welcome any input from LPF members-I did find a member who has one and he did not seem to have any complaints.

A manual for this meter can be found as a download at Sper.

http://www.sperdirect.com/mas_assets...s/840011-i.pdf

Sper Scientific warrants their products against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five (5) years* from the date of purchase, and agrees to repair or replace any defective unit without charge. If your model has since been discontinued, an equivalent Sper Scientific product will be substituted if available. This warranty does not cover batteries, probes, or damage resulting from accident, misuse, or abuse of the product. In order to obtain warranty service, simply ship the unit, postage prepaid to:

SPER SCIENTIFIC LTD
7720 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 7
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

From Ebayclick 'see other items' to see all AixiZ has listed(135 items))

SPER SCIENTIFIC LASER POCKET POWER METER - eBay (item 380193302240 end time Jan-08-10 00:35:53 PST) $195 plus $5 to ship.

They also carry LED lights for motorcycles-and sell them as well as (IIRC)laser items from their PasedenaTX storefront(And also one cool Corvette) from SPER Laser Power Meter - Pocket Size - 840011
Laser Power Meter for Field Testing and Electronics Repair
This tiny laser power meter is less than ¾” thick, weighing only 4 oz. (120 g) and is easily carried in a shirt pocket.

Click More Info for N.I.S.T. certification availability,
demos, manuals, reviews, etc.


Price: $240.50---from Sper

http://www.sperdirect.com/cgi-bin/it...--------------
 
Last edited:





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I got one of these meters in the early days. I still use it occasionally. They do work with ND filters.
It would be nice to make a slip on holder for the filters to keep hands free.

HMike
 
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Be glad to if I knew how-Im still a noob in many ways-can you help me out?
 
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Hey Hak...

We had purchased one of those Sper Scientific Pocket Laser
Power Meter-840011 about 2 years ago...
It worked fine for what it was designed for...

I don't want to rain on your parade... If you are happy with it
that's all that's important...:yh:

The only Huge Negative I have is the Price Tag...
For a 40mW max Optical LPM.... $240.50 is just outrageous...
(I know you didn't set the price...;))

For about $100 more you can get a LaserCheck good for 1 Watt
or even a Laserbee I for less than the Sper...

You can easily get a brand new optical LPMN right here on LPF for
4.5 times less money and you can measure up to 200mw... (see my Sig)..

BTW... nice review just the same...:cool:


Jerry
 
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Thanks for the comments Jerry-your advice/feedback on metering is always valuable for sure.-Dr. Chuck (AixiZ)offers the Sper for $200 shipped and may have a sale soon who knows. How happy I am will be decided when I get my KenoLites to compare with (soon I hope-guess I am the last to get thiers--but I see you got ALL yours HaHa-btw did you get issues fixed?). BTW most of us dont even have the $200 let alone the extra $100--if I did I would have a Laserbee--oh well someday I hope. No worries on parade raining. I have an umbrella.LOL Also The 40 mW max is limited to 633 nm HeNe--BRs up to 160 mW and use of ND filters increases reading ability (I think/hope) stay warm up there--Len
 
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Thanks for the comments Jerry-your advice/feedback on metering is always valuable for sure.-Dr. Chuck (AixiZ)offers the Sper for $200 shipped and may have a sale soon who knows. How happy I am will be decided when I get my KenoLites to compare with (soon I hope-guess I am the last to get thiers--but I see you got ALL yours HaHa-btw did you get issues fixed?). BTW most of us dont even have the $200 let alone the extra $100--if I did I would have a Laserbee--oh well someday I hope. No worries on parade raining. I have an umbrella.LOL Also The 40 mW max is limited to 633 nm HeNe--BRs up to 160 mW and use of ND filters increases reading ability (I think/hope) stay warm up there--Len

Hey Len...

It is part of what we do in the shop...:beer:

No... not yet... Kenom is in the middle of moving...
I haven't even been able to power them up yet...
I haven't had any spare time to work on them...
:cryyy:

Actually I was saying that the LaserCheck would be
about $100.00 more...
But the LaserBee I was LESS than the $240.50 you had
quoted on your first post...
:cool:

It been pretty cold up here and lots of snow...
Just need to keep your hat on....:san:

Jerry
 
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keep a hat on BOTH heads--lmao--saving for a laserbee as we speak--unless you need a noob like me to do a review--PM for my address LOL---Len. btw Slip helped me reformat and it looks SO much better now..was hard to read before. even for me.
 
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Yeah... Its easier to read... It looked like a bucket of mixed
letters before...:crackup::crackup:

Jerry
 
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Can't argue with that. Don't think many would have read past the first line or two--gave me a headache just trying to proof-read it. thanks again-- Slip----hakzaw1
 
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For anyone else wanting one, I'll sell my Speer power meter for $150. I have too many meters now as it is.

HMike
 




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