Spyder III Pro Arctic - Questions Answered

Still nothing here, 4722x, 4863x.

What's your initial impressions on quality? Wondering if they've tightened things up. (doubtful.)

rkozola said:

for anyone waiting on a g2, received my g2 today (47683). I was told my order was shipped in a batch with outstanding orders from 47xxx to 48xxx, so if your order number is in that range and you have not received anything, it may be on the way.

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Let us know how it does!

Well here goes for first impressions. No nicks, dings, or scratches in the finish. It is finished really nicely. No thermal paste all over the inside, can't even see a hint of it with the lense off. Unfortunately I do not have a camera outside of the one on the iPhone and the picture quality sucks. The beam quality and focus are on par with the aixiz 445 lens, I really cannot tell the difference between a custom 445 outputting 850mw and the arctic at full power.

To throw some number out there, all measured with a kenometer pro

Low Power Lens @ low power outputs ~15mw
Low Power Lens @ high power outputs ~167mw
Full Power Lens @ low power outputs ~ 87mw
Full Power Lens @ high power outputs ~ 733mw
No Lens @ low power outputs ~100mw
No Lens @ high power outputs ~830mw

I managed to get my order in early when they were still taking coupons, so initial impressions would be a great deal for the $198 I paid. Time will tell if I run into problem like many other users have reported.

And for those who might call fake without pictures...

Did it come with the UltraFire?

no. I am kind of afraid to charge the one wicked sent. that is for my custom 445.

Also I am afraid of using the goggles that came with it. Just from putting on a pair of od7 certified goggles and then the wicked ones, I do not feel safe with the wicked ones, it just does not feel/look right looking through the wicked goggles.

rkozola said:

no. I am kind of afraid to charge the one wicked sent. that is for my custom 445.

Also I am afraid of using the goggles that came with it. Just from putting on a pair of od7 certified goggles and then the wicked ones, I do not feel safe with the wicked ones, it just does not feel/look right looking through the wicked goggles.

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Yeah, I don't use my OEM battery either, they blow :barf:

I use my Arctic goggles sometimes when it's stationary, just to see some of that lovely blue beam.

Thanks for the pics and test results!

Finally got mine today. Unexpectedly. Finally. And they work just fine - no troubles that I can see at this time.

The full power lens 'reflecting' back into the diode, have we verified that this has caused any problems? Or are we just talking theoretical here?

I guess at 4% that's still a possibility of 30mW or so going back into the diode... That's actually pretty scary -- off of a pane of glass, this thing will be sending back 30mW... that's not very friendly.

aryntha said:

Finally got mine today. Unexpectedly. Finally. And they work just fine - no troubles that I can see at this time.

The full power lens 'reflecting' back into the diode, have we verified that this has caused any problems? Or are we just talking theoretical here?

I guess at 4% that's still a possibility of 30mW or so going back into the diode... That's actually pretty scary -- off of a pane of glass, this thing will be sending back 30mW... that's not very friendly.

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Glad you got finally got your order, G1 or G2?

I don't think anyone has proved a diode failing from reflection in an Arctic, but why take the chance? Several diodes have died already in Arctics.

ZapU said:

Glad you got finally got your order, G1 or G2?

I don't think anyone has proved a diode failing from reflection in an Arctic, but why take the chance? Several diodes have died already in Arctics.

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Both G2s. Just curious about it though, in what situations have the diodes failed?

Both G2s. Just curious about it though, in what situations have the diodes failed?

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Woodofcville said:

UPDATE: Just thought i'd let anyone know that's been following this thread, I got my arctic, only to have it go LED on me today... after all that waiting... I tried for a replacement request, but i was given their lovely automated response telling me that arctics began shipping on the 15th..:cryyy:

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For one, the OP of this thread!

I'd have to search for the others, you can search if you like.

Can you post the outputs?

aryntha said:

Finally got mine today. Unexpectedly. Finally. And they work just fine - no troubles that I can see at this time.

The full power lens 'reflecting' back into the diode, have we verified that this has caused any problems? Or are we just talking theoretical here?

I guess at 4% that's still a possibility of 30mW or so going back into the diode... That's actually pretty scary -- off of a pane of glass, this thing will be sending back 30mW... that's not very friendly.

Click to expand...

Just do what Dave did and I will be doing when I get mine. use the training lens and take out the ND filter, and you have a cool looking lens cap with no power reducing/reflecting glass.

Good idea. I wonder if -all- of the LEDing that's been going on in the Arctics is because of back reflections. These diodes can be driven pretty hard, and it seems that Wicked isn't doing that... So that may actually be whats going on with every Arctic that LEDs....

aryntha said:

Good idea. I wonder if -all- of the LEDing that's been going on in the Arctics is because of back reflections. These diodes can be driven pretty hard, and it seems that Wicked isn't doing that... So that may actually be whats going on with every Arctic that LEDs....

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I'm not up on all the physics, but the Spyder host was originally used for 532nm.
Since 532s use crystals, would they be less prone to damage from back reflections?

I was also wondering what effect low OEM battery voltage could have on the diode?

ZapU said:

I'm not up on all the physics, but the Spyder host was originally used for 532nm.
Since 532s use crystals, would they be less prone to damage from back reflections?

I was also wondering what effect low OEM battery voltage could have on the diode?

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Correct, 532nm systems are much less prone to back-reflections, if at all.

If they're using a good driver, the lower voltage from the battery shouldn't mean all that much.

-Trevor

twhite828 said:

Correct, 532nm systems are much less prone to back-reflections, if at all.

If they're using a good driver, the lower voltage from the battery shouldn't mean all that much.

-Trevor

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:thanks:

So they pop in a brand new-to-the-market Casio diode, behind glass that used to work on green. Could explain things. That would be an argument against using any of the specialty lens they offer.

Sorry for this noob question but.. I don't understand why this isn't a big deal 1 Watt Blue Laser Pointer Ice Series but the Arctic is a big deal?

I guess it's not continuous and half the "120min" battery life of the arctic.