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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Dragon Lasers Spartan ~1W 445nm

Joined
Aug 20, 2010
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Ok, in this review ill break it into a few parts:

-Host/Design
-Power and beam
-Burning capabilities
-Piratical uses?


-Host and Design-​

When compared with the Arctic, the spartan seems very understated and not as cool to look at as the WL arctic. The host is very simple it looks just like a flashlight with a really small aperture where the bulb should be. At first i though i would get the arctic because it was really nice to look at and i thought the interchangeable lenses were pretty neat but then after hearing about the many, many problems that people were having with them such as in consistent power output and host damage and just downright shoddy workmanship. I personally have grown to love the spartan's design. The batteries fit really nicely and feel solid and the push button on rear is also really solid. However, one drawback that the device itself does have is that there is literally no safety features which is ok if no ones going to get at it but its just something i would have liked for some peace of mind.

-Power and beam-​

The beam is very nice and very blue. its solid as far as the eye can see in the night sky. But here's my issue, my lens got dirty i don't know how but it got dirty. And all of my attempts to clean it have been met with little to no results as you will see in my divergence test shots. The divergence isn't bad, thats all i can say as I'm still new to lasers. I've got a shot at about 1 foot and a shot at about 10 - 15 to compare.

Shot at ~1 foot, use the black as reference, thats where it started burning the wood because it literately burns almost as soon as you turn it on. The size is about 2 - 4mm

CIMG1312.jpg


And a shot at about 10 - 15 feet. The dot is about an inch long.

CIMG1313.jpg


More beam shots.

CIMG1308.jpg


CIMG1311.jpg


Hitting a tree about 50 feet away.

CIMG1310.jpg


This next on really shows the scatter that i have to deal with from the lens being dirty most of it isn't from my camera.

CIMG1307.jpg


-Burning capabilities-​

First and foremost, this thing is a burning machine and than makes it EXTREMELY dangerous if used in the wrong hands for both eye and skin safety. When i first got it i put it on my skin and within about a quarter of a second the pain gets pretty bad. No visible marks or any sort but it definitely hurts and if you leave it there I'm sure it will leave some scaring. Anyway, for burning things other than skin it does a pretty good job at. i can melt the black plastic of my old VCR from about 6 feet or so and I've got plenty of little rectangle shaped marks in the plastic to prove it. This bad boy will also light matches from a close range of within 2 - 3 feet almost instantly and I've lit a firework from about 5 feet so when it comes to burning this can get the job done. I've also burned a pillow through a pane of glass from 2 feet which i don't recommend.

-Piratical uses-​

Someone please correct me if i'm wrong, but to me lasers seem to have absolutely no piratical uses other than lighting fireworks from a distance or a cool sky pointing device. Now don't get me wrong, i love these things and i understand uses of the lab bench models and the entertainment lasers but i'm talking portable ones sports fans. Something that I've thought about and others have to is the use as a self defense tool. If someone loser if running at you or showing some aggression just flash him in the eyes a few times, that should deter any self respecting criminal (oxy-moron) :beer:

I want to know what thoughts people have on this topic.




And now in conclusion the Spartan 1w is definitely a handheld lightsaber (oh no George!) figuratively speaking of course. I am very happy with my purchase and with the performance of the product.

As for ship times i cannot comment because i bought this laser from a member here on the forums.
 





X FLY

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Aug 18, 2009
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Nice review! +rep

You should take some burning pics :p
 
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I have had the same thoughts as you in terms of using my spartan as a self defense tool, specifically in the car against road ragers that get out of there parked cars. The problem with this, is that while it may very well provide you with a means of escape, if the issue ever comes to court, our going to be in deep doo doo. Not even the Geneva convention allows for the use if blinding lasers against enemies in a state on war. The Spartan can not be classified as a dazzler because of its power. If anything, legally, I see a potential backfiring.
 
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Yea, I guess that wouldn't work in court. What if you attached a lens that spread out the beam enough so that it will only tempororaly blind them. I know some law enforcement is using some LED things similar to that.
 
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Aug 24, 2010
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Yeaaahh I would advise against trying to use this as a self defense tool. I guess the Arctic does have a Strike Bezel, which is OK in some situations. However it is not OK ethically, or legally, to blind a person for whatever reason. Of course there is that moment of life or death, and what you would do to save your own skin; but how could you justify blinding a person for life to save your wrist watch and wallet?

Also worth mentioning, though it will cause an instant flash stun, the effects of the blinding may not show until the next day, or even the day after. That means the momentarily incapacitated "enemy" will still have a chance to finish you off, and may be more pissed this time.

In other words, just dont point this damn thing at anything.
 
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i think if you were running and you flashed someone so that the big blue flash obscures their vision long enough for you to turn or hide then you won. and if the beam is spread out by a special lens then the power would be significantly less and probably not bling them.
 

ppctx

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Jul 7, 2010
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I prefer an HK USP compact .40 S&W for self defense, less chance of a reflection, more stopping power.. but that's just me. If I was going to use a lase as a deterrent, it would be an unfocused 532nm, but I'd dang sure have something to back it up with. Pepper spray would probably be a better and less liable deterrent.
 
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Jun 17, 2010
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Thanks for the review and pics. I can't wait to get mine.

Definately don't recommend it as a self-defense weapon though. Remember, this is 2010 -- we live in a weak and weeping society that thinks it's okay for a robber to sue you for shooting him for trying to rob you. Years ago that concept would be laughable.

If you're attacked and have a laser in your hand, you're better off using it as an instrument of blunt trauma, than pointing it at their face. Less time in the slammer that way.
 
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Fenix --
Nice review I guess but your first post is so wide, I can't read it all. All the other posts here fit. I can't read all you said in the first post.

HMike
 
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Fenix --
Nice review I guess but your first post is so wide, I can't read it all. All the other posts here fit. I can't read all you said in the first post.

HMike

sorry about that. i noticed that when i posted it but it seems to be ok now.

@FlashFire i agree. ive heard stories about how things like that have happened. Its disgusting. And it probably wouldnt help that some cops consider these things illegal.
 

X FLY

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Aug 18, 2009
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What batteries you use btw? I just got my rechargeable LiFePo4 batteries today but haven't tested them yet :) Also bought a multimeter and compared the fully charged LifePo to a regular CR123A (Energizer). The Energizer CR123A was 3.23V and the rechargeable CR123A 3.82V (the voltage will drop to about 3.2V when under load/in use)

If you haven't got some rechargeable batteries yet I really recommend you to get these: 2 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh Rechargeable LiFePO4 Li-Ion Batteries with AC/DC Smart Charger
 




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