(slightly)Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

  (slightly)Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

I have just recieved delivery of my new Nova X-85 and am very dissapionted. :-[ ( i have since decided that my post should read "slightly" dissapointed)
Its quoted as Peak 107 mW and Averaga 101mW.
Yet i compare it to my DX true 50 mw and it seems no brighter.I have swapped the batteries from the DX and its the same thing.
So how can i check that the output of the Nova is as stated?  Obviously the Nova could be the full 100mW and the DX50 is also pushing out a 100 mW but i have 2 DX true 20's and 1 DX true 30 and comparing the DX's they all just seem slightly brighter than each other as expected so i would guess that the DX 50 is no more than its rated output ( and as most people here know about DX newwish lasers they dont tend to be usually overpowered>>> cheap and cheerfull is a good description)
Anyway, how can i check if my Nova is up to power or not? are there any simple tests i can do or can anyone tell me what THEY can do with their Nova X-85 so i might know if its faulty before i complain.  I also noticed that after keeping both the DX 50 and the Nova on for approx 2 mins the batteries in the Nova were quite warm  but the batteries in the DX felt  the same as when they were put in.
    Any help appreciated  Thanks  

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

First off - you are exceeding the duty cycle on the laser if you are running it for 2 mins !!! If you live in the States - you can send your laser out to be checked by one of the folks on here with a power meter (I cannot volunteer until mine is repaired) - and depending on where you may be located - there are lots of foum members with meters, so post your lacation !

Now, according to Nova - the X-85 will not be able to light a match unaided, but I think everyone who has owned one has been able to light a match with no issues - cut electrical tape, and pop balloons as well. You should see a VERY tight beam at a distance, as well.

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

The brightness to power ratio (and vice versa) is 4:1. So if a laser is 4 times as powerful it's gonna be twice as bright. I think it's that way.

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

That is correct ! Again, it is all APPEARANCES....since our brains get fooled easily by what we see - you would have to have a 200mw laser for it to appear twice as bright as your 50's.....Go to Nova's website, and take a peek at the specs for that laser - you can kill it by exceeding the duty cycle

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

Thanks for the quick replies, I should have said that i only kept them on for the full duty cycle of 100 secs ( just over a minute and a half instead i said 2 mins approx.. I have managed to light a match up close (2") with the Nova and not with the  DX 50 ( which proves something)
I would not for one second want anyone to think that Nova products are in any way defective,nor that Newwish  lasers are rubbish..its just that you get what you pay for and i suppose like everyone i am expecting a lot more visually for a difference in $$ as well as power and that isnt always the case when dealing with quality (nova) over quantity (newwish).
I am in Liverpool in the uk .I will wait for dark and see how it looks then.  Thanks again for your advice..

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

No problem man.
Get some beam pictures for me, I'm thinking of getting the 105mW version for Christmas.

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

Sychant - never for one second hold back your opinions on here...if you think that Nova is rubbish, then say so - you may get a lot of people defending  them (myself included) but if you say, "My Nova is rubbish BECAUSE" you will most likely get more constructive criticism  I just do not want you to think I am a Nova fanboi, and only think, eat, and drink Nova - cause that is not the case !  I love their products, and their customer service is phenominal as well !  I am CERTAIN they will eventually send out a crap laser - it is inevitable !  No matter how frequently something is tested, if it is electronic - then there will always be the possibility for what I like to call, "Spontaneous Stoppage"  Okay...I call it LOTS of things...but I try to use those words when my 15 year old is nearby

Seriously - feel free (this is for EVERYONE) to post anyhting you desire, but as I said also - be prepared to back it up, some folks are very loyal to some companies - I TRY to remain impartial as best I can...sometimes it does not work, but eh....you know !  

Oh, also - welcome (belatedly) to The forum, mate !  You should look into the possibility of stopping by the GINORMOUS  UK laser meet this coming Saturday and Sunday  Look up the "UK Meet" topic ! THAT would give you the opportunity to get your lasers tested out Not to mention, to be able to meet some pretty nice folks !

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

Thanks for the words of wisdom Senkat, i would love to go to the UK meet but i have commitments at the weekend, however if my DX 10 Gigawatt Laser arrives in time i might just lash it to the back of the Pickup truck and aim it the 200 miles down south to Dursley were the meet is and see if it can be seen ;D

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

a lil off topic but whats wrong with ur meter greg...

Re: Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer.?

Sychnant I am actually not that far from you as I live just off the Sandbach Jct of the M6 about 45min drive from Liverpool airport...

If you want I can test the Peak Power of your Laser on a Coherent lasercheck if you dont mind paying the postage or the cheaper option is if you want to meet up somewhere (cheaper than postage) I could test it and you can see the results in person. I cant do this weekend though as I will be down in Dursley for the meet (;

Re:    (slightly)Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer

Merl check PM

Re:    (slightly)Dissapointed Nova X-85 buyer

Not received any PM but did send you one earlier while I was at work