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Optotronics RPL-425 review BEST PORTABLE YET!

Milos

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Apr 22, 2007
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I sent my RPL-375 in to Jack at Optotronics to upgrade it to higher powered model. I waited couple of weeks because he had shipment coming in with new modules, and there was also holiday in China, then his initial burn in tests ofall units, an than power rating tests. But, let me tell you, it was more than worth the wait.

This silver RPL looks and feels way better than on his web page. It’s also way better machined than older black ones.
I started over two years ago with RPL-325 and made my way up via upgrades to now RPL-425. However, Jack had a surprise for me.

I accumulated about 25min of ON time by now

Testing done with KENOMETER and Coherent Laser check

Let me just say, after two nights of testing it with same battery, results are still same.
Starts cold at about 350mW, and quickly makes it to 400-430mW after about 15 seconds. After 30-40 seconds, as it continues to warm up, it reaches its peaks and averages. Now get a load of this surprise:

It averages at 550-560mW and peaks at 623-625mW. ! ! !
For next two minutes unit is outputting between and 540-570mW mainly, and 490 and 590mW at its farthest swings.

These measurements I got 5 (make it 7 now) times over for the last two evenings. At first I was a bit skeptical, but two different types of meters agree, and then, after talking to Jack, and realized that I am doing it with Key back cap which offers maximum allowed current to diode, that it is not that crazy. When adjustable tail cap is used, power can be set as low as ~90mW Setting 1, to its max which is same as having only key switch cap. Setting 5 on adjustable cap gets it to most stable average at its rated power, in most units in my experience.

Collimation is best in any laser I had yet. I measured it at 11m to be 0.7-0.8mrad. I’m sorry, but that’s insanely good for any DPSS laser that outputs ~1.4mm diameter beam., -specially portable ones.

I also like that this silver unit can be "armed" with key, and then key can be remowed, so no thing hangs out of the back of thelaser like in PGL models, DX, or older RPLs with key.

What else can I say. I really am blown away. If you are looking to get most powerful portable laser in decent size (smaller than a brick or baseball bat sized portable) than there is no other safe way but to go with Jacks quality check at Optotronics ! He really puts his hart and sweat into making sure he delivers a good product from his work bench!

Here are few pics:

(sorry for this quick and a bit messy write up. )
Yours truly,

Miloš
 

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Milos

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Here are some beam pics.
Note the last one which was done with livingroom ceiling light on, AND a flash from Canon 30D camera from less than 3 feet away.
 

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Last edited:
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
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Great review!!!!
that is one insane RPL!!!
does the output fluctuate significantly or is it quiet stable?? either way it's still an amazing piece of kit you have there!!
 
Joined
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wow sweet laser there i wish i could afford a new RPL 425 who knows maybe i could later on muh ha ha ha ha shhhhhhhh
 

Milos

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Joined
Apr 22, 2007
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Output fluctuates as I described above. This is the case with all portables that are over 200mW. The higher you go, the more it does, unless it has some kind of active temperature control. Wicked Lasers spec their Spyder II as 200-300mW even though it had TEC cooling, and they were still under specs. Now they might be better, but prices are insane imho. Still, it is not much considering in which range it operates.
 
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Gotta love those Class IV green portables. I bet it's nearly impossible to use indoors without goggles
 

roosl

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Oct 18, 2009
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Yeah, very nice, Milos!

Ya can't go wrong with Jack's RPLs. I'm happy for you with your new toy!

Regards,
 

jeffd

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Jun 25, 2009
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wow nice laser, now i wanna see some night time beam shots :drool:
 

Milos

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Apr 22, 2007
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wow nice laser, now i wanna see some night time beam shots :drool:
ahh, thats gonna be risky living very near airport in NY. The best thing is the good collimation is noticeable in the distance as the beam is sooo tight near the visible end. Its great feeling holding something like that.

btw, I tested it tonight again for power, and i got same results as above.

peace
 




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