Sk-y 532nm 200mW Handheld Laser

After a long long long long long long long long long long long long wait my group buy laser arrived today.
The packaging was great. Nice job Doc.
The focus ring is nice and lubricated so the twisting mechanism is really smooth.
This particular laser seems to be missing an IR filter
Peak power output= 245mW (this is the highest measurement so far with IR filter)
Best Average power output (over 2 minute period)= 175mW
Best Average power output (over 30 seconds)= 195mW
Opposite peak output= 122mW
Beam diameter @ aperture=2mm
Divergence=3.0mRad
Focus= Adjustable
Beam mode= tem01



I have taken too many reading to count on this laser and have charged the battery multiple times to get the most accurate readings as possible. I have not taken into account the amount of green light reflected off of the IR filter but it is probably around 5mW.
This laser does stay above 200mW for the first 20 seconds like it is suppose to.

Summary: I really wish this laser had an IR filter. Other than that I am happy with it. The output is right around where it should be but not as high as I expected. For the price I paid I can't ask for much more though.














This is the dot at 25 feet with the focus ring set all the way back to its minimal divergence point. I used a flash so you can clearly see the diameter of the dot without significant blooming.
http://img532.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3150010np0.flv

In my initial test, the IR output was rather low < 5%, but it could be that your units has a higher IR/green ratio. For a no-IR measurement but without the IR filter loss which can be as high as 8%, take a power reading from a disance of 10 feet or so, the IR output will be very much dispersed.

My readings at 10 feet match pretty closely my reading with an IR filter. My readings point blank without a filter are up in the 4 and 5 hundreds.
I have updated the review with divergence and a picture of the dot at 25 feet.

ok, thanks for testing!

Thanks for organizing the GB and getting this produced. It must have been a lot of work. I am going to be having fun with this laser all night. Now I just need to wait for the sun to go down so I can get some outdoor beam shots.

IR filters vary all over the place. My IR filter reflects 40% green measured Be very careful to include everything in the calculations. I almost missed seeing the reflected green off of my filter when measuring a DX200 because I was looking at the target.

Mike

So it has a 3mrad divergence when foucused at infiniti ?

S-KY make no claim for these to have IR filters. When I asked, they claimed their crystal sets were efficient enough to not allow a significant amount of IR through. They will, however, fit one on request.

I put a filter over the laser so that only IR light is passed. I can see the IR dot through the viewfinder of my camera but it is not nearly as bright as my 300mW IR laser. It also spreads out very quickly so I don't think this poses much threat to the eyes. I have been keeping an eye on the output of this laser. I usually only keep it on for 15 seconds at a time when I use it so I haven't seen it go below 200mW since earlier today.

Looks like a quality laser. Personally, I wouldn't buy one for the lack of IR filter. That on top of having the FDA's 5-point safety is the final nail in the coffin for this laser, IMO. At least, for me. It's a fine laser and I'm sure lots of people would love to have it, I'm just not one of them.

I like the RPL style safety system. You can take the key out after turning the laser on, they don't have one of those incredibly annoying dongles and they don't have the 3 sec delay. The shutter is a good thing because it protects the lens and keeps dust out. It seems like the 3 sec delay would actually increase the danger. I can imagine some idiot turning the laser on and thinking "wtf my laser isn't working" and looking into it ;D

This laser doesn't have a delay. Once you turn the key in the middle of the laser you can pretty much throw the keys away. The led indicator light only turns on when the laser is active (no need for an indicator led when >200mW of green light is blazing out the front). Doesn't make much sense but whatever. The only safety features I use on this laser are the tail key (this prevents the laser from turning on accidentally whilst in a case or pocket) I actually prefer plugging this dongle key in rather than twisting a key. It is much easier. The aperture cover is perfect for keeping dust off the lens. Don't get me wrong, the first high powered laser I purchases was a PPL and then an RPL after that.I would much rather have an RPL, but I do prefer the adjustable focus, the tail key, and the LOW cost of this laser.

So this may be a total noob question, but which power meter is that that you're using in the pictures?

This laser is the pocket laser check made by Coherent and it runs about $400.

5 point safety. Pah.
The S-KYs have 3 safety mechanisms all of which are removable.
The keylock - key removed while switch on.
The dongle - fashion a solder filled plug which does not protrude.
The aperture shutter - remove the actual internal piece of metal that IS the shutter.

I'm happy to do all of this to any laser bought from me through Blaze.\

And no, they don't have the delay.