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This is an update on the LSR532NL-500 500mW 532nm labby laser I purchased from Lasever earlier this month (previous review here).
A replacement laser
This is a new review, rather than an update to the old review, because I have received a new laser. A week ago I was contacted by David at Lasever informing me that they had determined that the laser they sent was faulty, and that they had a laser being processed to send out to replace it. I expect this was because of the mode problems depicted in the beam output and possibly the power needs of the laser.
Well I was certainly surprised, as I had not contacted Lasever regarding any issues with the laser (I figured that the mode issue was not severe), and asked whether I would need to pay for shipping to have the new one sent out. I was not trying to be cheap, but sometimes the cost of shipping--especially to China--obviates the benefits of replacement. David confirmed that shipping charges to return the faulty laser would be reimbursed (and no charge on sending it out). I will, of course, be returning the first laser to Lasever.
One week later after processing, a package arrived on my doorstep (2-day DHL shipping as before) containing another LSR532NL-500 laser in addition to another LSR-PS-II power supply (this time no damage to the LCD).
At this moment I have the rare opportunity to test two 500mW lab lasers at the same time. On paper (the provided laser data reports), the replacement laser has a higher power/current ratio, lower divergence, lower modulation threshold, and tighter power stability. Overall, the replacement laser is a superior laser in every way. Time to test if that is the case.
Both lasers were allowed to warm up for about 10 minute, and adjusted to output 500mW or thereabouts. Note how the amount of current needed for the new laser (top power supply) is about 0.25A less than the old laser:
After 10 minutes of runtime (warmup is suppose to be 3 minutes), I checked the mode patterns of both lasers. Here are the two mode patterns side-by side (old laser on left, new laser on right). The old laser produced a TEM01 mode pattern as is evident in the photo. The new laser, however, assumes a very TEM00-like pattern. It almost looks like a cylindrical TEM10 pattern; however, I don't think this laser would generate cylindrical patterns (?) and it is probably an artifact of the focusing.
Interestingly enough, while the power supplies are the same model in name, they are different in construction. The new laser power supply has a detachable computer cable, whereas the old one has the cable built-in:
Conclusion: the new laser appears to be an improvement over the old laser.
Lasever's customer service
I want to say a word about Lasever's customer service. The process of replacing the original laser was initiated by Lasever after reading through the first review and making a determination that the laser was faulty. They sent out the new laser at no cost to myself, and without requiring the first laser to be sent back first. In addition, they will also pay for the shipping charges to send back the first laser.
Overall, purchasing a this laser through Lasever has been a good experience. I'm very impressed with Lasever's service and follow-up, as well as the product quality in general, and will no doubt seek them out for future laser purchases. Oh, and the prices are pretty damn good too.
A replacement laser
This is a new review, rather than an update to the old review, because I have received a new laser. A week ago I was contacted by David at Lasever informing me that they had determined that the laser they sent was faulty, and that they had a laser being processed to send out to replace it. I expect this was because of the mode problems depicted in the beam output and possibly the power needs of the laser.
Well I was certainly surprised, as I had not contacted Lasever regarding any issues with the laser (I figured that the mode issue was not severe), and asked whether I would need to pay for shipping to have the new one sent out. I was not trying to be cheap, but sometimes the cost of shipping--especially to China--obviates the benefits of replacement. David confirmed that shipping charges to return the faulty laser would be reimbursed (and no charge on sending it out). I will, of course, be returning the first laser to Lasever.
One week later after processing, a package arrived on my doorstep (2-day DHL shipping as before) containing another LSR532NL-500 laser in addition to another LSR-PS-II power supply (this time no damage to the LCD).
At this moment I have the rare opportunity to test two 500mW lab lasers at the same time. On paper (the provided laser data reports), the replacement laser has a higher power/current ratio, lower divergence, lower modulation threshold, and tighter power stability. Overall, the replacement laser is a superior laser in every way. Time to test if that is the case.
Both lasers were allowed to warm up for about 10 minute, and adjusted to output 500mW or thereabouts. Note how the amount of current needed for the new laser (top power supply) is about 0.25A less than the old laser:
After 10 minutes of runtime (warmup is suppose to be 3 minutes), I checked the mode patterns of both lasers. Here are the two mode patterns side-by side (old laser on left, new laser on right). The old laser produced a TEM01 mode pattern as is evident in the photo. The new laser, however, assumes a very TEM00-like pattern. It almost looks like a cylindrical TEM10 pattern; however, I don't think this laser would generate cylindrical patterns (?) and it is probably an artifact of the focusing.
Interestingly enough, while the power supplies are the same model in name, they are different in construction. The new laser power supply has a detachable computer cable, whereas the old one has the cable built-in:
Conclusion: the new laser appears to be an improvement over the old laser.
Lasever's customer service
I want to say a word about Lasever's customer service. The process of replacing the original laser was initiated by Lasever after reading through the first review and making a determination that the laser was faulty. They sent out the new laser at no cost to myself, and without requiring the first laser to be sent back first. In addition, they will also pay for the shipping charges to send back the first laser.
Overall, purchasing a this laser through Lasever has been a good experience. I'm very impressed with Lasever's service and follow-up, as well as the product quality in general, and will no doubt seek them out for future laser purchases. Oh, and the prices are pretty damn good too.
