Question about Ophir 20C-A-1-Y

I want to build my own LPM. I am told that this is new. However, when I gave the serial number to someone at Ophir, they could not find the last calibration certificate because it was manufactured in 1997. I have never actually seen one of these and although I have an idea what it might look like inside, I have not taken one apart. I was told that over time the thermal past dries out and can cause a slow response times....one of the reason people (or so the Ophir person said,) sends them back for re calibration.

Ophir for sale

Should I buy this or should I get a newer one?

Has anyone taken one apart...that is cleaning out old thermal paste?

Andrew, here are a couple of threads that you may be interested in.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f70/diy-ophir-lpm-78856.html, check out post #20 and #57 for pics. showing where to make adjustments when needed.
Post #55 by nospin gives a good explanation of the adjustment process.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/building-lpm-how-ophir-head-looks-inside-61764.html

As far as taking them apart, you could try contacting ARG, he may be familiar with rebuilding these.

Those are the links I thought of and would like to know the answers myself about what you heard. All I know is my response time is VERY fast. I do have a second LPM as a backup that is a cheapo and is relatively accurate but is pretty slow. There can be a significant difference between the initial output and a few seconds after. Most of the 1W 520nm I've seen (of the most expensive one) all seem to hit just like Jordan shows in his graph with a spike over 1.5W and then about a 100mW drop for a pretty steady output if set like his was. Although that isn't a large % it's an easy example. 532nm is all over the place and to understand it better you really need something like an Ophir to get what's going on from the start.
Anyone who owns a bunch of units or likes to build ends up desiring a quick response unit. No idea how old mine is but I would be curious. I know that mine was brand new when I got it but it was from someone who had a bunch of them and I don't know how he had them. He was an older gentleman as in I'm positive he was older than 65 and was extremely knowledgeable although he dissappeared. I think his first name was Bob and he had gotten scammed by a couple people here who were building them into complete units and selling them. That all happened before I joined though but I'm sure if the right person read what I just said they would know who I'm talking about.
If he was around I bet he would know the answer to your question.