Help Needed: Hulk 125 vs Aries 75 vs RPL

This is my first post to this site. My interests are in Astronomy, both light polluted & dark sky conditions. From what I have read and given my budget limits ($400 max), I am leaning towards either the Laserglow Aries 75 or the Dragonlaser Hulk 125. The cost of both units is similar, but there is a significant difference in the power levels. What I don't know is:
- The LG Aries comes with a very nice case, unclear what comes with the Hulk. Anyone know?
- How do the two models compare in terms of build quality and reliability?
- What else should I be aware of in making my decision?

I appreciate any comments / suggestions on these specific products / companies.

Jim

Re: Help Needed: Hulk 125 vs Aries 75

Laserglow sells some really nice, high-quality lasers, and as a rule of thumb, always ships them "over-spec", meaning that 75 will most likely peak at a much higher level (they actually use "average" power measured over time to rate their lasers, wjhich is very good). A prime example of their quality would be my Hercules 350 that peaks at 503mW and averages well over 375-380 once settled in...

Dragonlasers has some mixed reviews here on the forum, I personally haven't seen their stuff but many people have had troubles with the company, poke around the review threads and you can decide for yourself.

Another option that you should seriously consider is to search the "buy-sell-trade" posts for Jayrobs' easy green host, for $55-74 (depending on options, style, etc) he sells a top-quality, custom-machined laser host that accepts the green laser modules from O-like.com (basically a 5-minute "drop-in" assembly with no prior skills required) - O-like sells a 120mW module for $105 shipped, and they generally output between 140-150mW (so your total cost would be closer to $150 for a 140-150mW green laser as versus $3-400 through LG or DL) ....

The only difference between the $400 premade and the $150 "DIY" would be $250 saved, which as differences go is a pretty cool one IMHO

Re: Help Needed: Hulk 125 vs Aries 75

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1232226720

There's the link to the green kit, and here's the link for the modules:

http://www.o-like.com/b2b_cpinfo.asp?id=886

Again, 5-minute "no experience neccessary" assembly, and you save $250 ...

Thanks for the info and links Brewcity. I took a look at them and the product looks nice.

One problem I'm having is the more I read, the more mW I want ...

I modified the title of this thread to include the Optronics RPL model. From all the reviews I've read and looking at the product specs, etc, the RPL seems to offer everything I am looking for. Unfortunately, it also costs more, but I do appreciate quality. I especially like the ability to tune the power to fit the need as well as having a 12 month warranty. This is my first laser purchase, so I want to be sure whatever I buy, I will be satisfied with.

RPL's have the highest reputation of any laser model on this forum. I have never heard anything negative whatsoever regarding them...go with Optotronics.

-Mark

My suggestion is to order either one directly from the manufacturer.

Viasho makes the type of lasers that opto sells, CNI makes the lasers that laserglow sells.

You'll save yourself a bundle and the units always produce well over their rated power, come with a 90-day warranty, both companies have good service.

rocketparrotlet said:

RPL's have the highest reputation of any laser model on this forum.  I have never heard anything negative whatsoever regarding them...go with Optotronics.

-Mark

Click to expand...

And sometimes they're WAY overspec.

It should be noted that the Aries is tested and averaged over a continous 10-minute period, whereas Dragon and Opto test for considerably shorter periods of time. I can't remeber their test periods but someone once told me Dragon's was only 200 seconds? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Longer test periods mean a more conservative (i.e. generous) power rating and a guarantee that the laser will actually perform continously as opposed to crashing out after a few minutes.

This explains test results like BrewCityMusic's Hercules-350 (which runs above 500 mW at the start of the cycle then settles just over 350 mW) and many of our Aries show the same type of performance: Way over spec for the first few minutes then dropping down to a sustained average for an indefinite period.

With green lasers it all comes down to testing. Saying that all lasers from a particular manufacturer are the same is just wrong, because if you only test something for a short period you're going to end up rating it higher than what it really is. Considering that these lasers are sold by the mW you should be very concerned about how that power rating is obtained. If in doubt, ask the seller exactly how they test their lasers!

GooeyGus said:

My suggestion is to order either one directly from the manufacturer.

Viasho makes the type of lasers that opto sells, CNI makes the lasers that laserglow sells.

You'll save yourself a bundle and the units always produce well over their rated power, come with a 90-day warranty, both companies have good service.

Click to expand...

not to but in here I was trying to do that they will only guaranty 250 mw for 60-90 days
true you may get a 500 or you may get a 200 not worth the hassel in my book
oh and you must do a bank tranfer no google or palpay
have you seen the extra goodies Jack throws in easily worth 100 bucks
i will be buying my third from him in 11 months I cant wait I'm thinking a 457nm labby
do I need it NO do i want it YEPPERS ;D ;D ;D ;D