LG Rigel-2 Arrived!

Hello folks of LPF,

The day has finally come that I managed to get myself a 593.5 unit from CNI. However, unlike the one I reviewed about 2 years ago that I had purchased from DJNY this unit came straight from LaserGlow, which also means a little bump in the price. However, since I was a returning customer they gave me a 25% extended discount even after that sale has already passed which was quite nice. This isn't a review, more so just a couple comments I wanted to make regarding the unit, thanks :yh:

• The Finish:

When it comes to the Finish I would like to say it wasn't what I expected. The finish itself is sort of a matte black instead of the glossy finish you could expect from CNI. Personally to me, this is better in that it limits the fingerprints and scratches but dosen't look as attractive as a glossy black host. However, I suppose we can't have both so this will work fine. The host feels very nice in the hand and the matte finish also works somewhat as a brake to make sure your hands have a firm grip on the laser. Which is nice :yh:

• The Power:

I purchased myself a Rigel-2 unit from Laserglow which is the lowest power option they have available for this wavelength. Upon turning it on(and receiving the paperwork) I found that this unit only had an average power of around 0.69mW and I measured a peak of 1mW. Do keep in mind the rating for this unit is around 0.6mW-1.9mW, or the same as what CNI sells them as. It does look like my unit is on the lower end of the spectrum which kinda sucks. However, upon turning on the unit & seeing a very dim 593.5 dot(it's 1mW now ) all that regret of power went away and got filled with happiness again! Even at 1mW, it's surprising how far you can easily see the dot. Like, across my living room :crackup:

Now for the pictures! I hope you've enjoy this short "resume" and look forward to more of you guys getting this wavelength before it disappears :undecided:



Thanks!
-Alex

Sweet
And pretty rare too!

Divergence?

Cel said:

Sweet
And pretty rare too!

Divergence?

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Thanks Cel! Looks like the divergence according to LG is <1.5mRad

-Alex

Oooooh how purty!! I'd love to get my hands on one of these rare wavelengths. How's the beam in the dark, visible at all?

CaliKirk said:

Oooooh how purty!! I'd love to get my hands on one of these rare wavelengths. How's the beam in the dark, visible at all?

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I haven't tried that yet CaliKirk, but once I get back from work tonight I'll try to get a dark beamshot. I did notice a very small beam when I took a picture in a dark corner in my room

-Alex

Wow, you got a 25% discount! In that case it was only $300, right? Maybe I could pay you to buy one from them and send it to me!

Glad you are happy with it. I don't see the appeal to a yellow beam though. Especially not for that kind of moola :wtf:

Jhop said:

Glad you are happy with it. I don't see the appeal to a yellow beam though. Especially not for that kind of moola :wtf:

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Of course you don't see the appeal, you haven't seen the beam! :crackup:
Honestly 589/593.5 are insanely beautiful colors. I love 583.8 and 586 too. I still need a standalone 593.5, though, having it as just one line is not enough!

Another thing is wavelength collecting... Some of us, me included, love being able to line up some lasers and see the rainbow they create.

Jhop said:

Glad you are happy with it. I don't see the appeal to a yellow beam though. Especially not for that kind of moola :wtf:

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Thanks! Yep, you've got to see it in person to really appreciate it

Sta said:

Wow, you got a 25% discount! In that case it was only $300, right? Maybe I could pay you to buy one from them and send it to me!

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Yeah! I got a discount since I was a returning customer. Thanks!

-Alex

Jhop said:

Glad you are happy with it. I don't see the appeal to a yellow beam though. Especially not for that kind of moola :wtf:

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My 589nm spartan is probably one of my favorite lasers when it comes to the beam quality and color of the beam. It's like a sparkling beam of gold reaching out into the dark night sky. I just wish we could get 589nm at higher power levels. 50-80mw is just so underwhelming after seeing >1W levels of red/green/blue.

My CNI 593.5 pen has the same black matte finish described by Hap actually. I've seen it peak at around 3mw, but generally the output falls between 1-2mw. The problem with mine is extreme instability. While warming up it will sometimes cease lasing entirely and the brightness will rapidly fluctuate.

If this hobby needs anything, it's better laser yellow laser technology. DPSS yellow reaching the 200-300mw level in handheld form would be nice. It's kinda crazy when you consider how a 500+mw 532nm probably uses the same power of pump diode as a 50mw 589nm.

Razako said:

My 589nm spartan is probably one of my favorite lasers when it comes to the beam quality and color of the beam. It's like a sparkling beam of gold reaching out into the dark night sky. I just wish we could get 589nm at higher power levels. 50-80mw is just so underwhelming after seeing >1W levels of red/green/blue.

My CNI 593.5 pen has the same black matte finish described by Hap actually. I've seen it peak at around 3mw, but generally the output falls between 1-2mw. The problem with mine is extreme instability. While warming up it will sometimes cease lasing entirely and the brightness will rapidly fluctuate.

If this hobby needs anything, it's better laser yellow laser technology. DPSS yellow reaching the 200-300mw level in handheld form would be nice. It's kinda crazy when you consider how a 500+mw 532nm probably uses the same power of pump diode as a 50mw 589nm.

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Yeah, it would definitely be nice haha. Is this matte finish a new version of these lasers? I've never seen this kind of finish but it looks cool to me!

-Alex

Wow, Alex, you lucky thing, what a beautiful unit.
Love that WL.
Very cool mate.

RB

RB astro said:

Wow, Alex, you lucky thing, what a beautiful unit.
Love that WL.
Very cool mate.

RB

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Thank you RB

-Alex

Congratulations on completing your sale and getting another new toy. I'm glad somebody else snatched up the 532nm as I was going to buy it, even though I have lots of 532nm lasers. If you are happy, then I am happy for you.

paul1598419 said:

Congratulations on completing your sale and getting another new toy. I'm glad somebody else snatched up the 532nm as I was going to buy it, even though I have lots of 532nm lasers. If you are happy, then I am happy for you.

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Thanks paul

-Alex

Jhop said:

Glad you are happy with it. I don't see the appeal to a yellow beam though. Especially not for that kind of moola :wtf:

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Well that's why there's 589nm they're 3 times as efficent and you can get a pen that might do 20mw if you're lucky or a 50mw that will atleast be a bit over speck they're amber but not orange.

the only thing that ties with my 589 is my 612nm laser. it's smack in the middle of yellow and red. orange without a hint of red or yellow.