Razako
0
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,301
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Hey all, I've got quite the interesting laser to review today. We've all seen the usual 638nm stuff, but this laser is something out of the ordinary. I already had a few high powered red lasers, but something about this one was irresistible to try out.
Link
https://sites.google.com/site/hkfew5e22/Series/silver
First Impressions:
Total wait time was about 15 days from the time of ordering. Item came well packed and without damage. Unfortunately, I did run into a problem when it was time to try the laser out. The two 18650's weren't long enough to make contact within the laser. I tried protected and non-protected and they all fell short by 2-3mm. I had a similar issue with my 638nm spiker, so I fortunately already knew what to do. I just built up a 'mound' of solder on the tailcap contact until it was long enough to contact the batteries. "Razako, why not just use magnetic spacers?" Because it gives me nightmares thinking about what would happen if it came loose and shorted something when I"m using two AW 18650's. The laser would probably get blown up like a grenade:gun:
So, after fixing the tailcap I finally got to try this laser out. I got the multi-mode driver and finding the high power mode involved a moderate amount of effort. Once I found it everything worked well.
First off, I did some test runs with this laser on my LPM. It peaks somewhere around 1800mw and tends to settle around 1600-1700. Eventually the output starts dropping off(I think this laser likes to run cool). Slightly below the stated 2W output, but it's possible my meter just doesn't like how the laser is putting out 3 separate beams.
I then unfocused it and had a little fun shining it around the house to take some beamshots. The camera shot is pretty close to what it looks like in real life.
I also made a quick video showing how well this laser can burn. Being a near 2W laser it can definitely burn, but it's not the best burner for its power because of how the output is divided into 3 beams which don't wanna focus on the same exact point. Still cuts through paper and instantly ignites matches.
Lastly I took a few outside beamshots. Don't know why my camera utterly sucks at nighttime beamshots and does better in a low-light room in the house.
Pros:
-Very cool product. I haven't seen any other retailer selling portable lasers with the tri-beam mitsu diode. Definitely has some uniqueness to it.
-The host looks great. I got the engraved version.
-Everything works after fixing said tailcap issue.
-Feels sturdy with good machining on the threads.
-The triple-beam output looks VERY cool when used outside. It projects 3 fiery red lines and has a very unique look to the beam.
Cons:
-The spacing issue in the host. I could easily see this frustrating some people who wouldn't know how to deal with it. This is the second laser from sanwu which has needed modification to fit the batteries. It's not HUGE issue to me, but if a laser is advertised to use two 18650's then they should fit without further modification.
-Not the greatest at burning due to the obvious beam profile. Not an issue to me, but if you want a burner there are more cost-effective options.
Overall score: 9/10. Certified BIG SCARY LASER:drool:
Burning video
Pic of laser
Tailcap fix
LPM chart
Indoor shot with no smoke added. Laser was unfocused for this shot.
Outdoor shots pointing at sky and tree 100 feet away.(camera sux sorry)
Link
https://sites.google.com/site/hkfew5e22/Series/silver
First Impressions:
Total wait time was about 15 days from the time of ordering. Item came well packed and without damage. Unfortunately, I did run into a problem when it was time to try the laser out. The two 18650's weren't long enough to make contact within the laser. I tried protected and non-protected and they all fell short by 2-3mm. I had a similar issue with my 638nm spiker, so I fortunately already knew what to do. I just built up a 'mound' of solder on the tailcap contact until it was long enough to contact the batteries. "Razako, why not just use magnetic spacers?" Because it gives me nightmares thinking about what would happen if it came loose and shorted something when I"m using two AW 18650's. The laser would probably get blown up like a grenade:gun:
So, after fixing the tailcap I finally got to try this laser out. I got the multi-mode driver and finding the high power mode involved a moderate amount of effort. Once I found it everything worked well.
First off, I did some test runs with this laser on my LPM. It peaks somewhere around 1800mw and tends to settle around 1600-1700. Eventually the output starts dropping off(I think this laser likes to run cool). Slightly below the stated 2W output, but it's possible my meter just doesn't like how the laser is putting out 3 separate beams.
I then unfocused it and had a little fun shining it around the house to take some beamshots. The camera shot is pretty close to what it looks like in real life.
I also made a quick video showing how well this laser can burn. Being a near 2W laser it can definitely burn, but it's not the best burner for its power because of how the output is divided into 3 beams which don't wanna focus on the same exact point. Still cuts through paper and instantly ignites matches.
Lastly I took a few outside beamshots. Don't know why my camera utterly sucks at nighttime beamshots and does better in a low-light room in the house.
Pros:
-Very cool product. I haven't seen any other retailer selling portable lasers with the tri-beam mitsu diode. Definitely has some uniqueness to it.
-The host looks great. I got the engraved version.
-Everything works after fixing said tailcap issue.
-Feels sturdy with good machining on the threads.
-The triple-beam output looks VERY cool when used outside. It projects 3 fiery red lines and has a very unique look to the beam.
Cons:
-The spacing issue in the host. I could easily see this frustrating some people who wouldn't know how to deal with it. This is the second laser from sanwu which has needed modification to fit the batteries. It's not HUGE issue to me, but if a laser is advertised to use two 18650's then they should fit without further modification.
-Not the greatest at burning due to the obvious beam profile. Not an issue to me, but if you want a burner there are more cost-effective options.
Overall score: 9/10. Certified BIG SCARY LASER:drool:
Burning video
Pic of laser
Tailcap fix
LPM chart
Indoor shot with no smoke added. Laser was unfocused for this shot.
Outdoor shots pointing at sky and tree 100 feet away.(camera sux sorry)
Last edited:
Well I did anyway, and since the host isn't magnetic I use flat disc magnetic spacers, with side protection so it doesn't sort out the host.
