STATUS: We're a go! Emails sent to DD

In a previous feeler thread we talked about an organized group buy from DinoDirect. I won't rehash the whole story about how that came about, since it is discussed fairly well here:
Feeler: Doing an organized groupbuy with DinoDirect - 300mW FireDragon 532nm

Long story short, it's a go. I've received the unit I purchased for review, and I'm happy to oversee this group buy. I reviewed the 300mW (actually LPMd at 400mW!) 532nm Firedragon a few moments ago in this thread:
Review: Firedragon 532nm 300mW (DinoDirect)



The summary from that review thread was:

• Power is stable and above spec (400mW peak)
• The unit is obviously IR filtered, with very little leakage (17mW)
• The unit is well made, comes with a battery and charger, and shipped fast.
• The divergence is not very good (the beam is thick).

On that note, expect poor divergence. If that bothers you (and it does bother some people), then avoid this groupbuy. Even though DD has previously said that they'll stand behind the laser's quality, I don't really think they "understand" what poor divergence is. If you would be unhappy receiving a laser with poor divergence, don't order one, because I'm 99% certain that this is a common feature of all of the 532s in this line.

How this "Group Buy" Works:

Here in THIS thread, will be where we keep track of the groupbuy itself. This isn't a traditional groupbuy, since I'm not taking the money and forwarding it to DD. However, it shares some of the traditional GB features in that we need to get 10 people together before the group buy will proceed. Once we've amassed 10 committed buyers, DD will release to those 10, a URL or coupon code that allows them to order the groupbuy laser directly through the DD website, and will likely give everyone a short window of 24 or 48 hours to proceed with the purchase (so everyone will need to have the funds ready.

So again, everyone pays DD directly, through their website, like a normal DD purchase. The discount code will only be provided, and we'll only go forward with this, once 10 members commit. Lasers will ship directly from DD to each GB participant.

I really don't have a role here at this stage, other than to maintain this thread, and help coordinate things. My role earlier, was to try and help DD not totally screw up their selection of lasers like they had in previous attempts (really? a 445nm in a cheap host?).

I mentioned this in my review thread, but it is worth restating here. I'm not taking anything from DD for this. I'm not getting paid for helping them with the GB. I didn't get my review laser for free - I paid for it (the same price as the groupbuy price). Basically, I criticized them like crazy for their previous *attempts* at a groupbuy. They took the bold move of basically saying "ok, you've criticized our business approach, so show us how we can do it better". I figured - props to them for that, and decided to help.

Participants:
1) Viro (email address received)
2) boosted240 (email address received)
3) boosted240 (2nd unit) (email address received)
4) boosted240 (3rd unit) (email address received)
5) ra1nfade (email address received)
6) pontiacg5 (email address received)
7) bobo99 (email address received)
8) InfinitusEquitas (email address received)
9) Obscurus (email address received)
10) Helios (email address received)

LOOKS LIKE WE'RE AT 10!

Interesting and good choice IMO.. 400mW of green for 150$ is sick.

Have you tried adjusting the optics inside to correct the divergence?

Hmm I thought thick beam = good divergence
(also done on purpose with beam expander)
and a very tight beam = bad divergence

Did you actually measure divergence thru 532nm glasses
or did you just mixed the word up
or has it got both bad divergence and a big beam diameter?^^

Good divergence means

beam diameter at aperture - beam diameter at a distance = very small number

Bad divergence means

beam diameter at aperture - beam diameter at a distance = large number

^^^^ it should be the other way around (distance - aperture) I was using absolute values but it could confuse others ^^^

Beam expanders expand the beam but then you take your measurements at the aperture of the expander. So if the dot is close to the same size at a distance than the divergence has been improved.

Yeah... that's why I asked because he describes:

The divergence is not very good (the beam is thick).

I do have the same thing with my O-like 532nm: beam diameter is about 3-4mm at aperture
compared to my Rayfoss it's 1.5mm at aperture but they both do have quite similar divergence (when I measured at about 10meters)

What he is referring to is the picture comparison showing that the dot diameter is increasing quite a bit with distance --> bad divergence



I am curious though if its just adjusted incorrectly. It might be easy to fix in which case this laser would be even a better deal!

I think it's the other way around. IE:
Beam at distance - beam at aperture = large number (then bad)
(because the distance diameter will be the larger of the two when you have bad divergence)

At any rate though, this laser has both phenomena - IE:
- Big beam at aperture
- Beam grows larger at a distance

You CAN adjust the lens, and my sense is that I could get the *divergence* to improve a bit with enough patience. It's fairly annoying to do this since you have to walk 30 feet every time you make a micro adjustment to the lens. Theoretically, I could put a mirror at the end of the hall, and probably do this with a bit more ease by bouncing the dot back in my direction (with my back to it of course).

To be realistic about this though, the *divergence* issue isn't something you can see. Or at least my eyes can't. I can't tell that the beam has grown 10mm at a distance of 30 feet. The dot is too bright to be able to see the definition of it's shape at that distance. Hard to explain, but think of it this way:

Scenario 1:
I sit in a chair, 30 feet from the wall, and shine the laser at it.

Scenario 2:
Same chair, but this time I first place the laser 1 foot from the wall, and turn it on. Then I walk back to my chair and look at the wall.

In scenario 1, that dot will be 15mm. In scenario 2, the dot will be 4mm.
In both scenarios, I'm the same distance from the dot.

I can't perceive the difference in the dot. Tried it.

What I CAN obviously perceive, is the thicker beam at aperture. I'm still not really sure how I feel about this. In a glycerine / foggy environment, the thicker beam is much cooler. But at the same time, this is a really powerful laser that really shouldn't be used indoors (even though I've cheated a tad). On the other hand, a thin beam looks really cool too.

I think the saving grace for the thick beam, is the fact that this is SO bright, that the beam is still solid. If this was a 100mW pointer with a thick beam, I think my feelings would be different.

Not trying to sell this too hard - again, my role is kind of over. But I do think it's worth accurately conveying what IS an issue, and what ISN'T (at least in my mind)

Yes you are right. I use absolute values in my head so it doesnt make a difference but I should not assume others do as well.



I understand what you are saying about the divergence being not visible. I notice the same thing with high power 445nm and blindingly bright lasers. The dot glare overpowers your ability to see the dot unless you are wearing glasses so this is outdoors only.

Interesting GB, I like the way the button is on these units. Good luck with your GB, glad to see we are getting some new GBs to the forum! +1 RHD for your work!

-D

Actually, the unit I got (ordered with the coupon they in that feeler thread) peaks at 500mW and is stable around 400mW. Truly a great laser (but eats thru batts quite quickly, good thing they are rechargeable).

Yes, as I said before, the power with these units is right!

Here is my FIREDRAGON 500mW version

im quite interested in this. if u got 9 together and still need one - pull me a pm and ill see if i have the money rdy

cheers

Couple of quick questions. Can you give me the overall length of the laser, and diameter of the tube itself? Also the weight? (doesn't have to be precise, but my friend thinks he is gonna mount this to an AR, and I'm telling him noway)

Also, did you use the included battery? Is it ok or garbage? I have no problems picking up a couple of good cells on the forum, just need to know.

The website says it has a momentary push button instead of an on/off switch. How did you have it on for your photos?

You said you had it on for 10 minutes, so the 20sec duty cycle isn't serious?

Depending on the answers to these questions, I am 100% in for one, and 50% for two. I have a friend who wants one, and I'm kinda on the fence for getting myself one. I'm really happy with my JetLasers 532nm, but this kind of power for $150 is really tempting. And the build quality looks fairly good.

Thanks ahead of time!

I'm in, even though I'll be breaking it apart for the module.

You can put me down

- If you PM me a reminder thus evening, I'll get you good proper measurements. Just need the PM reminder for when I get home

- The battery is a typical Trustfire. I'm sure it's decent, it works fine. I just instinctively used a known good cell after verifying that the included cell at least worked. So I don't really know much, or have any hard data on the included cell.

- The button is NOT momentary, despite whatever the page may say.

- Regarding duty cycle, remember, I'm not Dino! I abused my 532, and it was fine. But I more or less ignored the Dino usage suggestions. I probably invalidated my warranty by not using the laser in a manner consistent with their requirements (and by admitting that publicly). To be fair here, you need to go by what Dino says about usage, not by what I actually did I'm sure they cringed when they read my comment about the 10 minute straight usage.

I would like one here in Canada - Please put me down for one!

Regarding this type of group buy, what stops 10 random people putting their name down, and then not going through the purchase process on the date of the "special discount"?

OK, put me down for 2. I hope that won't create a problem for them due to the way they are doing the GB?

Measurements:

Widest diameter: 38mm
Thinnest diameter: 30mm
Length: 200mm (roughly)

I'm interested, but I can't commit till later on. I have to sweet talk the wife and even then it will be at least 30 days out before I could purchase one, so I"ll just keep an eye on the thread and see what it looks like around the end of the month.

Here are the dimensions, roughly:


EDIT: Not sure why I said "roughly". These should be THE dimensions, as per Dino. Looks right. From experience taking apart my previous Firedragon 300mW 532, these have a really neat driver setup, whereby the IC itself is separated from the driver PCB, and is actually held by a metal retaining bracket up against the underside of the heatsink with a thermal transfer pad in between.

Nice, I've been in the market for a more powerful green for awhile.

Seems like greens also take the most abuse out of any of my lasers too...

So we have 6? (counting 2 spots for me)

Depending on when this materializes, please put me down for one as well. I don't have funds right now but in 2 weeks should be fine.