1w compilation

Ive been reading allot of scattered information about different 1w 445 nm lasers lately. I'm having difficulty deciding which to buy and I know other people are also, so I'm collimating the different 1w lasers in one thread.

The search for the best 1w laser falls into two categories: DIY lasers built by members, and commercially available lasers.

The commercially available models i have been looking at are:
www.rayfoss.com
Spartan Series 1W Blue Handheld Laser, Rectangle Beam :: Blue Handheld Laser ----- 447nm Laser ----- Spartan Series Lasers :: Handheld Lasers :: Dragon Lasers
1W 445nm blue Laser torch/waterproof/focusable [OL445T-1W] - $189.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
1W 445nm Blue laser pointer , $170.00 - 1w.1000mW .445nm blue laser pointer,1W 445nm laser pointer,445nm blue laser.1w 445nm laser pointer.1000mW 445nm laser.
and for the heck of it,
S3 Arctic


Now member made lasers:
Yobresal's 1W - http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/1-1-2-watt-445nm-lasers-cheap-180-a-54005.html
Kevlar 900mw
Kiyoukan http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/1-5w-445nm-lasers-starting-190-shipped-57216.html
DTR's Builds http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/d...ting-compilation-thread-56450.html#post797151
If you own a laser made by a member (that is quality) and the member is willing to make more upon order please include their name and some of the lasers statistics if possible

The factors I'm trying to compare are mainly power, durability, and quality of the beam. (not necessarily price)
Hopefully this is helpful:thanks:

Re: 1w convention

IMHO member build will be the best. Best heat sinking you can get, superior driver and optics, easy to dismantle and service. It could be around $300 .. but there for sure would be some spread, based on specific configuration and also who build it. Not every member here is genius, for example you wouldn't want me to build it for you ;-).

All of above models are of comparable quality, except for that $170 model, which AFAIK was poor, and they spam this forum a lot. Let's never speak of it anymore.

Re: 1w convention

Good, one ruled out... :thanks:
I'm aware that generally speaking member made lasers are better, but not always available - or at least not immediately - so information on the commercially available lasers is also welcomed. :wave:

Re: 1w convention

Well if you option it right you can get a kit from jay that has a large heatsink, driver in ready to go and a diode already mounted in an aixis module (different supplier) for around $250. Solder 2 wires, screw in one set screw and screw everything together. If I had a spare $250 I would get one like that.

Re: 1w convention

IF you build one, you can know what your doing and how it works, Its a great experience and not terribly difficult.

I used a Micro BoostDrive and a A140 445nm diode, and Jayrobs SS 18650 kit. With a 445 Glass lens. Worked out GREAT.

Re: 1w convention

I would love to build one, mainly because its fun, and i love researching and learning about the optimal parts and configuration for the laser, but I have had some bad experience in this area - a failed 12x build ( $300 down the drain ):banghead:. Mainly because of my limited soldering skills and the lack of proper tools i would really like to buy a completed laser. So if you own a 1w 445nm you like, or know of one that is a bad choice to buy (thanks DrSid) thats really the information I'm looking for. Just tell me your choice and why, in this way we create a good case for each laser and make it easier for us to understand each one's pros and cons, and therefore make the right choice... :thanks:

Re: 1w convention

I have a 445nm for sale. It's outputting 900mW with the standard 405/445nm 3 element glass but outputs 1.15W with jayrobs G-1 glass (which I also can sell you). It's in an Ehgemus host, one of the best for heatsinking!!!

Check the last line in my sig, only $200

EDIT: SOLD!!!!

Re: 1w convention

Cool, I added you to the list of member made lasers.

Re: 1w convention

You can buy a KIT from Jayrob (host, driver & all parts) and add a A140 to it and you have excellent Laser Pointer.
If you like to buy one from the members you will find great builds here. Try and fins one of DTR if he has one at the moment or Yobresal's and other.
Good Luck and dont forget the eye protecation !!!

Re: 1w convention

Hey .. we don't call these beasts 'pointers' anymore .. we call them 'portable lasers', or 'death rays' ..

Re: 1w convention

hightechdealz and i think stonetech both sell 445nm diodes pressed into aixiz modules with the option to have wires soldered onto the diode. That with a jayrob kit would be a somewhat easy build.

Re: 1w convention

I don't understand how failed build could cost you $300. You either killed diode, or driver. I doubt you killed the host or optics. Not sure how much 12x diode costs, but drivers are around $30 and I guess the diode is about the same too.

Re: 1w convention

I'm just in the early stages of embarking on my first 445 DIY from parts supplied here (a Jayrob kit, plus an Ehgemus host) and also own an Arctic S3 and Spartan 1W.

I can highly recommend the Spartan as my favorite off-the-shelf 445, as although I haven't bought either of the others you mention, I have read that they aren't all that.

The Lvy lasers one is from a company that has a really bad rep as far as I know, and the Rayfoss/O-Like one has been reported to have had issues from one or two other members who've ordered them, I think.

The Arctic and Wicked Lasers aren't worth mentioning here as there is a lot of emotion from some regarding them and you might find it hard to get a truly objective point of view. I'd suggest reading all the available threads and making your own judgement if that's the one that really takes your fancy.

The Spartan wins for me though due to the simple, elegant and robust design.

I imagine that the home-made ones will be better though as I'll be able to control the build quality to my satisfaction, and end up with a product that's far better overall. Not to mention the peace of mind of knowing you can just as easily service them yourself in the case of something breaking.

Re: 1w convention

If only the spartan was focusable, it would be awesome, and more powerful like diys.

It doesn't take a genius to build a laser, you just need good soldering skills and basic understanding of connections to make.
You mind as well get the Yobresal's 1.2 watt build, very cheap and nicely made.

Re: 1w convention

DrSid - actually your right, it wasn't quite 300, the diode failed because the driver failed, the driver cost $30 and the diode cost $200. I got the 12x when it first came out and the burner i got it out of was $200 thats why it was such an expensive build. But anyways Ive decided not to build one - its just easier to buy and i won't have to worry about frying anything.
Thanks for the input bbshasma, Ill definitely consider the spartan! The only drawbacks I can see for this laser is as you said, the power would be less then that of a members laser. One other drawback to the spartan I'm a little unsure of is that it has a rectangular beam - do all the 445 1W diode lasers have this characteristic? I'm asking because I have seen it mentioned about some of the other lasers. If so then I wont worry about it but if there's one with a good circle dot that would defiantly be a pro. The only drawback to yobresal's is the fact that it has 1 min duty cycle. As many have pointed out this isn't bad for such a powerful laser in such a small host, but still I like the builds that have the meatier heat sinks.:drool: Really they all have slight drawbacks, and thats fine and to be expected - there is no perfect laser otherwise this thread wouldn't be unnecessary, I'm just trying to find which has the least.:angel:

Re: 1w convention

All 445nm high powered builds have a rectangular beam.

the only one that seems to have a circle beam is the 400mw 445nm spartan