CLOSED! Now Distributing ROUND 2!: THE "Skylaser" (laserBtB) groupbuy!

offroadfreak8582 said:

Got it i will send the videos with all complaints at once and distribute the info on where to send them to before that. So that kevin can handle it all at once. Sounds good to you guys? Please keep all the receipts of the shipping so they can be claimed back.

Click to expand...

I mentioned this in a PM, but I thought I'd bring it up again. Please let us know what shipping method Kevin prefers and what we should write on the customs declaration form.

Also, it appears I got lucky and all my lasers came with either two tailcaps or one tailcap with a plug as well as a remote interlock. Would you ask Kevin if I can keep the tailcaps in case a replacement doesn't come with them? I don't like things sticking out that are attached with miniplugs because miniplugs like to break off inside when a lateral force is applied.

My second package was shipped with DHL, and the last update is from HK with "Shipment information received" on February 4. It looks like things are stuck until New Year celebrations are over. I also have another package stuck in HK that shipped over a week ago.

About to drive over to fedex to pick up my second batch. Called them and they are not delivering today but said I could pick it up. Will report later.

Regardless of what LPM I use, it is plainly obvious that my Hl-532 300 is under-spec. It has been tested against my other 532s that have been tested by me and trusted members who sold them to me with the same results. Both on a meter and visually compared to other 532s with a known power it is most definitely under 300mw usually about 175mw.

And I believe the lens isn't able to screw in far enough for it to hit a full infinite focus. But that's not really as big of an issue cause its pretty close.

offroadfreak8582 said:

They do keep track on the lasers they sent. About the gift are you also going to send that back? I mean he allready made a exception for you giving you an HL laser?

Click to expand...

I realize that, but it's with the wrong diode. Of course I'll send it back, assuming he covers shipping.

I mean don't get me wrong, it's a nice laser, but under 200mW from a mitsu 300mW diode is kind of underwhelming.

kadath said:

I mentioned this in a PM, but I thought I'd bring it up again. Please let us know what shipping method Kevin prefers and what we should write on the customs declaration form.

Click to expand...

Adding to this a little... I hope Kevin realizes that shipping from US for example, via fedex, or DHL, is rather pricey. For example, that small package I sent you via USPS, by fedex, or DHL, would have been over $100.

I don't want to have the same conversation I had with o-like where I shipped the defective laser back, sent them picture of the receipt, and had them tell me they would only refund a part of it, because shipping is not that expensive when sent from china, and they didn't know it was that expensive.

kadath said:

I mentioned this in a PM, but I thought I'd bring it up again. Please let us know what shipping method Kevin prefers and what we should write on the customs declaration form.

Also, it appears I got lucky and all my lasers came with either two tailcaps or one tailcap with a plug as well as a remote interlock. Would you ask Kevin if I can keep the tailcaps in case a replacement doesn't come with them? I don't like things sticking out that are attached with miniplugs because miniplugs like to break off inside when a lateral force is applied.

My second package was shipped with DHL, and the last update is from HK with "Shipment information received" on February 4. It looks like things are stuck until New Year celebrations are over. I also have another package stuck in HK that shipped over a week ago.

Click to expand...

InfinitusEquitas said:

I realize that, but it's with the wrong diode. Of course I'll send it back, assuming he covers shipping.

I mean don't get me wrong, it's a nice laser, but under 200mW from a mitsu 300mW diode is kind of underwhelming.



Adding to this a little... I hope Kevin realizes that shipping from US for example, via fedex, or DHL, is rather pricey. For example, that small package I sent you via USPS, by fedex, or DHL, would have been over $100.

I don't want to have the same conversation I had with o-like where I shipped the defective laser back, sent them picture of the receipt, and had them tell me they would only refund a part of it, because shipping is not that expensive when sent from china, and they didn't know it was that expensive.

Click to expand...

Yeah. In my next mail will discuss shipping methods and all of that. When that is all been discussed and approved ok i will collect the video's and complaints (maybe handy for you guys to print out the complaints and your readings and put in the box) and then i hope that kevin hadles all complaints at once the right way.

greetings,,

I favor a prepaid method of shipping. Through FedEx, an RS (return shipping) label can be made and emailed to us.

Got back from fedex pickup. Thought I wasn't going to get them. When I asked to pick them up they wouldn't have let me unless I had called in advance because they had to root thru about a 1000 boxes to find it. Glad I called and they actually had it entered in their computer that I had. Told them I would wait Took about 45 minutes.

What I was waiting on was 2 tripods (1 regular and 1 pen type), extra set of diffraction caps, a replacement hl case as one of the 3 I had gotten in the first batch was broken badly as had happen with alot of us.
Was also expecting a tail-cap that was missing from one of the hls but this was not in the box anywhere (believe me, I searched)
The three units that would complete my order looked fine and had no missing parts. Did receive 2 extra of the push in safety pins in a seperate small plastic bag. This may have been a mistake on their end thinking incorrectly that this was what I was missing from my first batch (the tail cap).
The regular tripod is what I expected as far as quality etc.. The pen unit is pretty cheap but it does work fine and hey what do you expect for cheap anyways.

-gift pen lp450-80 which is actually labelled as a 460/80 (can't keep up with their ever changing nm on this unit) came in black. I had asked for a white one if possible but this is fine as it was a "gift" anyways. Rated 80mw. Tested 136mw:yh: No safety keyed cap

-lp532-150 came in white as requested. Rated 150mw. Tested 201mw:yh: No safety keyed cap

PL650/1000. Pleasantly surprised that the sticker at aperture was perfect and was the only one out of 3 hls and 2 pls that did not need to be cut back (other units didn't actually need cutting as they don't block output but I cut them back anyways). Initially I thought there was an issue with the unit until I discovered that the battery cap needed to be screwed in farther. Then threads were good but the fit was very tight about 2 turns from being fully wound in. Oiled the threads as I do all my units and it turned in far easier so really no issue although you could easily make the mistake that a unit was DOA. Would rather have the threads be tight than sloppy. Rated 1W. Tested 1.111W (yeah, strange but hey, that's what it said):yh:

I have been working on a VERY disappointing problem (thru Offroad:wave concerning something that I expect to be resolved to my satisfaction from the first batch. At this time I'm still keeping it private unless it is not handled by Kevin in an appropriate manor. Full disclosure in this open forum about the issue and how it was handled may or may not happen. Balls in his court.








Didn't measure them but the PL650 is about an inch longer than the PL532

That's a nice collection of SKYlasers you have there

@Pman, Did you test your LP532 for IR by any chance?

Thanks Smeer and no I haven't yet Infin.
Trying to decide how I want to do that. My filters are very small like yours. Could use the glasses I suppose and see. Honestly kind of dreading that test.
Going to take a look back thru the GB and see what others got doing it including yours. Think I'm going to try it on a couple other 532s first though so I can figure out the best way to do it. Don't want to report an inaccurate reading. Does it make more sense to try to use the tiny IR filters or just go with the glasses?
By the way, I absolutely do agree with your comment as far as testing with a slow response lpm. It's not any good at catching quick switches in mw or trending but I do understand how to use it and am used to it.
I've wathced enough of others vids to see how a rapid response one works to at least make some logical assumptions/conclusions. Really want a 5W Ophir but that's not going to happen anytime soon. Just doing the best I can right now with what I have.
I've got to run more tests and I promise to report back when I'm satisfied that I've got true/correct readings.

Now both of my big cases are full. Could only fit a few more pens I think between the 2. Still haven't pulled any foam out to fit things properly. I'm very careful to carry the cases horizontal so they don't move. Before anyone asks, yes there's convoluted foam between the upper and lower section of each case What's nice about these Harbor Freight cases is that if you look you can see the twist lock at the top of the upper section and the 2 small pieces/ridget flaps at the bottom. Just twist and remove the whole top section with the pens and small handhelds.

I've said this before but I would like to state for the record that even though I have alot of units between the 2 cases (the other case is the same but no Sky units) I have not built anything from pieces/parts like alot of you have. Made lots of mods to pens and did put together an altoids box unit but that's really it. Most of you deserve way more respect than I when it comes to this stuff. I'm heavy into the learning phase of things and rely on all of you for the real skinny on things.
I say all of that because I feel a bit embarassed posting the pics of so many units. I've had some pm's from people thinking that I'm the answer guy. I defer to most of you. So, PLEASE noone think that I'm some kind of braggart. I'll remove every photo I've ever posted and everything in my sig if needed no problem. I LOVE to see everyones "stuff" and your reviews/pics/vids!
I can do just about any test that involves a multimeter accurately as it's what I work with everyday. Most meters I own are Flukes and were talking 87v, 381, 52II type stuff and multiples of each. For anyone looking for a high quality meter even on the low end I would give my highest recomendation that Fluke is the way to go. Owned many a meter over my 47 years and haven't found a better overall product. I don't own a scope. Would be nice at some point but what I would want would be many 1000s so I'll probably never get one unless I find a huge bargain on a used one. Would rather have an Opher.


K, I just ran some tests with the IR filter. I get the feeling maybe mine is bigger than yours infin because it wasn't as difficult as I thought to hold it in place. Have small fingers and I didn't smell any burning flesh :crackup: I have a couple of them and they were from O-Like so whatever the size they list there that's the ones I have.
Now before I tell the numbers, it must be made absolutely clear that this is very difficult to do accurately with a 532 without that fast response LPM. I did multiple tests with plenty of cooldown, battery voltage checks etc... The results are to be taken with a grain of salt though.
My lp532-150 is about 20IR and the PL532-300 is about 35-40. Honestly don't like posting these numbers but this is the best I can do for now considering the LPM limitations.
Will say that your readings appear way too high but I don't want what I posted to be any kind of reference. We need others to psot their findings.
Can some others try to help with this? One of the great things about the forums is we can look out for eachother a bit. Maybe Offroad (man, this guy never gets to rest) or Blord or someone with an Opher or whatever could chime in here. I don't think it would greatly matter if yours are a 500 or 700mw because it will help in general to see what other Sky units are putting out in reference to total mw for a %.


Man, I sure use "I" ALOT. That's ok though... noone to blame but me then

ok well my gift pen is awsome but i still have not yet ordered batteries for my 1 watt laser. Using players I put an alligator clip on the spring and gave it 6 volts with me bench power supply and metered ~800mW however some of the beam I noticed is blocked the the aperture. Not the sticker. but i focused the dot big on the wall so it came out tiny from the aperture and found a focal points that was the size of a collimated beam and it only metered 900mW but ill get batteries and try again

Ok, this is going to hurt a little after viewing Pman's case, but hey, I just got started in October of 2012! lol

lazerman121 said:

ok well my gift pen is awsome but i still have not yet ordered batteries for my 1 watt laser. Using players I put an alligator clip on the spring and gave it 6 volts with me bench power supply and metered ~800mW however some of the beam I noticed is blocked the the aperture. Not the sticker. but i focused the dot big on the wall so it came out tiny from the aperture and found a focal points that was the size of a collimated beam and it only metered 900mW but ill get batteries and try again

Click to expand...

your definitely under powering the laser. I'm sure when you can put 8.4v to it you will get at least your 1w.

Awillis is spot on. Can't believe yournot going to be decently overpsec once you get proper volts Lazerman:yh: Way underpowering it with 6 volts.
Speaking of 6 volts, I find it interesting that the only serious unit I have that takes 3v rcr123s is my 1W Spartan. Have different chargers for those cells and use the recommended Tenergy silver/green batteries. Has anyone tried regular 3.6/3.7 cells in their Spartan? I know I had gotten an email from DL about using the 3v before I bought it. I will say that it's kind of nice that you can hit spec with regular non-rechargeable cells if you want but annoying that you need a different charger/batteries.

Hey Chance, nice case/lasers. No need for anyone to compare to me. There's nothing special about being able to purchase units. Having to be alot more careful with my $ if that makes anyone feel better
About 3/4 of the way thru this GB I had to change my strategy around as life decided to smack me many times. I was in the process of working with Blord on a build when my wife started having some serious health issues (she keeps getting test after test as they can't figure out yet what is wrong) and although I offered Blord whatever he wanted including full price if needed for the unit, he countered with "I don't owe him anything and to take care of the more important issues". The completely honest truth is that my 2 favorite builds are actually the ones he built for me and that has nothing to do with the kindness he showed me. Paying for 2 kids in college too
Hope it was OK to post that Blord... You can't stop me from giving my highest recomendation for you and your work! If I had to sell off all of it, my Blord "Steel" and "Odessa" would be the hardest and last to let go (at least until he builds me another one)
Maybe I'll have some real $ again on my B-day at the end of march and I'll be ready for another serious Blord build I've been unable to find any $ in my couches although I did purchase one of the Sky units by turning in a handful of thruway toll receipts I had for work:crackup:
By the way, really like your profile pic awillis:yh:

Be careful with the button orientation of those Sky pens Chance if you store the units with batteries in them. The top of the case will push them in as a couple of us noticed.

No problem at all. Like said before family business goes first. I hope your wife is getting well.

Is this what yours showed Bob? Mine was/is DHL.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013 Location Time
1 Shipment information received HONG KONG - HONG KONG 10:47

My first batch was DHL and didn't even say on line one "shipment information recaived" but started with this on the 26th and was dropped off at my house on the 28th.

1 Shipment picked up HONG KONG - HONG KONG 00:38
Working with Offroad on an answer for this.

I'll PM you about the Ophir head. Maybe if I can get myself invited to some of the neighbors houses I can check their couches:crackup: