Zaser no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser Review (ULTRA PIC HEAVY)

today, in the beginning of the last month of 2013, I’d like to share with you my latest laser adventure I’ve jumped into recently. Although only 3 weeks passed since my last review of the mighty Copper DominatoR, there’s been another remarkable build on the horizon that absolutely won my attention right after it was introduced to the forum. Let me start a humble consumer multimedia based review of:

Zaser no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser​

Why another 445nm build? I asked myself the very same question already when typing the previous review. By far the 445nm cohort outnumbers other wavelengths in my current collection and yet, the call for one more was too stronger than I thought. The need for laser was there once again. To be frankly, I’ve justified the buy by 2 main reasons: the seller’s person - lately quite active in B/S/T and GB forum sections - offroadfreak8582 and apparently the fact of power efficiency of the unit he managed to prepare. Besides, the Copper DominatoR needed a brother to be compared (or shall I write compete?) with.

Talk & text​

The final decision buying the laser wasn't imminent immediately. First Tmack's Black Zaser review appeared, originally built by daguin. However, the main impulse for me came after offroadfreak8582 opened his Zaser thread in B/S/T section, where I’ve contributed with a short comment vastly impressed by the work he’s done there:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs-offroad-s-3w-zaser-sale-optional-gitd-86082.html​

Since he had 5 products available and three were sold out in a relatively short time, I was waiting for another build which should have been presented very soon as stated by him. And it was bloody worth it, because performance wise the graph he came up with was the last piece in a puzzle that convince me to grab it before anyone else would. Promise of 3W+ output, not bad at all, huh:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs-offroad-s-3w-zaser-sale-optional-gitd-86082-2.html#post1253818​

Thereafter I finally contacted the seller about my deep interest in Zaser laser menace. An intense PM communication (involved a bit of negotiation) followed, eventually ended up with a mutual agreement to receive the product with a blue version of GITD powder inserted in the grooves body section with the entire host design coming in polished finish. A teaser picture of the box shortly before shipment - couple of days after payment went through paypal - made my expectations as great as never before. The time estimated, judging from my previous experience, was meant to be at least one week. Surprisingly I could enjoy ripping the outer box in pieces while unveiling box contents (as gently as possible, surrounded with loads of dutch newspapers and wrapped carefully in a thick towel layer) the very same week. We’re talking about literally 4 days of total delivery time, not bad at all!

Product description & performance ​

Before I begin to reveal the beautiful Zaser design under closer surveillance, basic information and technical details background should be put in a place. With seller’s kind permission I want to attach modified copy & paste of specifications stated in his OP while the outside design features will be closer depicted later:

Smooth aluminium finish click button
IDRV3 driver set @2.33A, pill heat-sinked
9mm diode in copper module (DTR), termo-glued & tightened
X-blank + spring for + pole battery contact
Smooth focus adapter operation
Blue GITD powder in 6 main tube grooves
445nm 3W+ power output
Recommended running time of 4min on/2min off
Focus to infinity set standard​

Furthermore, let me attach 2 LPM graphs measured with two different pairs of 18650 Panasonic batteries. However, even with fully charged batts (4.2V checked by multimeter), I simply couldn’t achieve similar impressive readings with my 5W LaserBee Ophir as mentioned by offroad above:thinking:. Still I enjoy the fact the power sits well above 3W during the 3-4min lasing time with a rock steady power line with a continuous minimal drop:beer:. Once the diode section feels warm enough to touch which signals me to give the big boy a rest for a couple of minutes.


1st run. Apologies for the shaky progress, my hand was adjusting laser’s position several times during the measuring process. 2xPanasonic NCR18650PD used.



2nd run. Much smoother graph momentum when laser held up steady. 2xPanasonic NCR18650B used.



Despite the fact different readings occurred - on average by 200-300mW lower in my case - when compared to initial readings performed by the builder, the guarantee of 3W+ output fulfils the promise and that what counts mostly, not to mention the diode doesn’t come overdriven and remains at 2.3A. Its efficiency is genuine!

The Chronicles of Zaser​

Size and weight are two significant factors hardly to be overlooked. More information about the unique (nearly futuristic) design - and features it is packed with - can be found in two original threads made by the creator (see his signature). It surely is an eye-pleasing gallery, one must admit:




I didn’t do any extremely precise dimension measurements of the laser - 15cm stainless steel ruler applied - but approximate length would be 24.5cm. Apparently thickness varies, but measured from the top to bottom results are as follow: head department (8x2mm wide ribs) & focus adapter/knob (10mm long) 42mm wide, middle tube section 27-28mm wide (each of 6 grooves 7.5mm wide and 76.5mm long) and prolonged click button section being 48mm long and 31mm wide.
Heaviness counts a lot, too. A needless-to-say comparison with the Copper DominatoR arises, the difference is nearly 400g! Although Zaser is roughly 2cm longer, remains sleeker and thanks or should I write despite the lack of extra copper doesn’t add that much weighty bulk. Top put it simply, it sits comfortable and feels more balanced in the hand during manipulation.

IMHO, pictures always represent the backbone of a review in general, they talk the laser story and reflect the time reviewer had a chance to spent with it. Using Nikon D5200 I’ve spent several hours photo-shooting to get possibly as much as it gets out of the 445m powerhouse, strictly multi-medially taken. Most pics carry a short comment describing specific part or background situation when they were delivered. To keep it as simple as possible, three traditional chapters come to play: introduction with laser portrait & macro shots, indoor portrait beam gallery and outdoor portrait & distance gallery.

Let’s start the picture journey:wave:.​

Portrait & macro showroom​

No. 4 with LPM graph included, indeed:wave:.


The last resort protective thin layer...


...with the Zaser exposed lying on the mirror (to be used as background a lot!).


Left side view focused on the front body section.


Front view.


Back view.


With a double pair of power juice.


One, two, three.

Body parts​

Right side view with tail clickie.


Front view of tail clickie, tube battery compartment and head with focus knob.


Head side view.


Through the key hole.


Lines under, lines over (head with focus knob).


Laser head department with focus know attached inside view (weight of 220g).


Positive case spring/back diode section.


Termal-glued in copper heat-sink.


More lines!


9mm lens fitted in the knob/adapter.


Tail button part (weight of 65g). Yes, there are three micro scratches:yabbem:.


Clickie inside view.


Tube with 6 groove lines (weight of 111g).


End of tube (identical screw-in-thread on another end).


Some white chewing gum hardened stuff in the groove... just kidding:na:.


The mysterious GITD blue goodness.


Closer.


Real close, bubble close.

Indoor beam shot promotion​

Swimming in the blue drying stand sea.


Lying on the sofa's top.


At least one on-the-edge shot.


Mirror smudge .


Close to me.


Multiplied by two (mirrors).


Lost in infinity.

Outdoor showcase​

Portrait shots​

Winter is coming.


Shadows are approaching from the dark.


Steel steps scene.


Force be with me.


The grid with an loose end.


Gully examination.


Cyan grooves, purple shadows, semi-azure beam.


Warning: lasing area!

Distance shots​

Along the stainless steel pipe line.


Turning green into blue.


Along the concrete wall.


Hill shot (artificial light source).


No end in sight:na:.


The power of two:shhh:.





445nm explosion.


Side splitter.


Engine initiation.


My very private colour star (location TOP SECRET).

The last word(s)​

It’s crucial for me to highlight the contribution of people standing behind the Zaser laser I happened to win and enjoy so far. Starting with the builder himself, the one and only offroadfreak8582, laser building and hobby in general dedicated (and surely addicted) forum member. I wrote shortly about his qualities in my previous review of the Kryton line he’s made there recently. Without being repetitive, this guy is simply awesome. Great communication and extreme helpfulness are some of his characteristics to be named. The next member on-pair is a machinist and original product host line introducer, mrcrouse. Until now I could only admire his workmanship looking at the pics of various designs he shared with the forum, but once I got my hands "live" to Zaser architecture, only then I realised what a tremendous handicraft lies within. I’m proud to be a keeper of one his precisely machined products, so I am:beer:. Ultimately, let me not forget about another man behind the curtains, the legendary DTR, who provided the builder with a super-active engine heart, 9mm 445nm 3W+ diode. In the end another thanks goes to Tmack for additional product information and his Black Zaser review that helped to finalise my pre-buy intentions as well.

Are there more sentences needed for further narration of the Zaser laser? Well, underscored in one line, all I can say is how happy I am to add this shiny beast to my collection, it’s already become an item of a great value, perhaps with a touch of sentiment as well.

Re: Zaser™ no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser Review (ULTRA PIC HEAVY)

Wow great beamshots! :drool: very nice unit you've got :beer: +1

Re: Zaser™ no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser Review (ULTRA PIC HEAVY)

Awesome host. Very nice pictures !

Re: Zaser™ no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser Review (ULTRA PIC HEAVY)

Dang, that host is nice! Got a good diode in there too.

Just a note about the review though, adding ™ onto everything is kind of silly IMO Makes everything sound as an advertisement rather than a review.

Re: Zaser™ no. 4: 445nm 3W+ Laser Review (ULTRA PIC HEAVY)

Comments much appreciated, guys:wave:.

ARG: Point accepted. Sometimes less is more, as they say. The trademark symbol was used by me to underline the original Zaser laser design:thinking:, i.e. for a word effect. In matter of fact, it is an sort-of an advertisement, but definitely not meant to imply a hidden business interpretation.

Going to limit the ™ text appearance asap:beer:.

Very happy to help spread the word of an amazing laser. My black Zaser is easily one of my favorite lasers and has a permanent place in my collection. Beautiful review as always gizmo. I know the only way to really get a feel for how nice these hosts are is to use one. The graph says it all with this lasers performance. Credit is due to all involved in creating each of these pieces, as they are fantastic in every aspect.

Tmack: your observation helped me a lot before I've pulled the trigger. The Zaser I happen to own now is a strong performer, the build quality is clearly to be seen, no doubt about that. As one owner (of a nearly same product) to another I can only assign myself to everything you've noticed about this laser.

Cheers for the kind support!

Good job sweet review.... Quality thread.

Thanks for the appreciative words, jander6442. I assume this review is the last one I've come up with this year, my wallet turned into a loud protester a long time ago. But then again I like sharing extraordinary laser products with the forum in a way where pictures document the product at least on the outside (looks and beam/power performance).

Perhaps I should add one more portrait beam pic, where the two kings throne next to each other (Blord & ORF8582/mrcrouse).

Haha a lovely pair aren't they. I have a dual diode dominator on the way, so my pair will have a big brother


I too put these lasers in their own class. For now they are the top dogs

Great pics Gismo! Keep up the good work! +1 :beer:

Tmack: DDD: dual diode dominator. Perhaps a new legend on the 445 multimode horizon? Sounds damn good if you ask me! I know you'll share with the rest of us when the time's right. In the mean time, keep us double lasing way up:wave:.



grainde: you're a gentleman. I'll try to introduce some other laser variations in 2014, many candidates in my collection apply for at least a solid beam presentation. Until then...

A top quality review gismo! Very professionally done.
Looks like another top notch addition to your already awesome sig. :beer:
Can't wait to see what the new year brings!

That looks like an impressive laser. Especially like the host, I find silver/chrome compliments the ice blue beam nicely. Also love the glow in the dark accents on the handle. I'm definitely going to be using GITD accents whenever I build a laser

I must also compliment your photos. They have a very clean and professional look about them. You could easily do photos for a laser company! +1 rep!

BowtieGuy & Blarg King: thank you, guys!

The blue variant of GITD powder offroad implemented very nicely on Zaser's groove makes it real ice-cool looking at night. In all fairness though, I'm no pro at photographing, still as an amateur I'm trying to deliver as sharp photos as the DSLR I use is capable to deliver. It's mainly about time, patience and choosing of decent surroundings and improvisation as an crucial essence.

:beer:

Wow i just remembered that you said you would do a review about soon. Cant belive you did not send me the link

What an amazing review. Thanks for all the credit you give me! You should at least get the same for these reviews! They are awesome and the pictures are so beautiful. Everytime i see them they make me want to buy a DLSR. But everytime i have the money it goes into one of my current hobbies lol

Cant rep you now but will do later!

Thanks a lot bud :beer:

Greetings,

Robin

EDIT: can you mail me a few of those pictures in a large format? i think my new wallpaper is in this thread