I'm tempted to grab this! 30% off WL -

[crazyspaz]

I am really intrigued by the open source EVO.

Wicked Lasers gets a bad rep from a lot of forum members, but in my opinion, it's time for everyone to start evaluating them for what they're doing today, rather than holding on to old narratives.

Frankly, I don't see any of this forum building access control safety features into lasers and drivers. And though there have been some open source initiatives, this Bluetooth function built into the EVO seems to have beaten our forum to the punch in terms of smartphone integration. I haven't looked at reviews of any of the above, but in terms of innovation alone, they're doing some neat stuff that is pushing their builds forward. We have a lot of innovation on this forum in terms of host design, but our electronics are reasonably stagnant. We don't even have readily available mode enable drivers (which is crazy, because the technology is right at our fingertips from LED drivers).

Mini rant over

to the first part: I somewhat agree, but I still can't justify buying them.

To the latter part: Completely agree. However, there is not enough people who care to have it. Its a small hobby group, and a majority of the people are more so "BURNING LAZORRR!" then actually care about the technology. If I had any knowledge of designing circuits I would play around with things, but I don't (and hardly have time to learn).

Its unfortunate, but its just the way it is.

 

[LaserBeams]

Never knew these had beam correction, what a deal!

Be sure to post some pics when you get it

Pics and videos for sure!

 

[Atomicrox]

I am really intrigued by the open source EVO.

Wicked Lasers gets a bad rep from a lot of forum members, but in my opinion, it's time for everyone to start evaluating them for what they're doing today, rather than holding on to old narratives.

Frankly, I don't see any of this forum building access control safety features into lasers and drivers. And though there have been some open source initiatives, this Bluetooth function built into the EVO seems to have beaten our forum to the punch in terms of smartphone integration. I haven't looked at reviews of any of the above, but in terms of innovation alone, they're doing some neat stuff that is pushing their builds forward. We have a lot of innovation on this forum in terms of host design, but our electronics are reasonably stagnant. We don't even have readily available mode enable drivers (which is crazy, because the technology is right at our fingertips from LED drivers).

Mini rant over

Agreed. I dislike the fact that few members have ever built handhelds lasers with variable power. It shouldn't even be hard. I don't try because:
a) I don't have the tools to machine/adapt a host.
b) I suck at soldering small/SMD stuff.

 

[Mattronium]

Agreed. I dislike the fact that few members have ever built handhelds lasers with variable power. It shouldn't even be hard. I don't try because:
a) I don't have the tools to machine/adapt a host.
b) I suck at soldering small/SMD stuff.

Do you mean drivers with modes or more functions than that, like infinitely variable?

I like the fact that if I have a high power laser with a lower power mode I can get longer run times and have it "safer". That is why I changed the driver on my Mit's 500mW 638nm Kryton Groove from a 3*AMC7135 without modes to one with modes, 800mW high, 100mW med, <1mW low.
That also is one reason I will be using X-Drives for my unique high power lasers so I can use a singe 18650 for a low mode (20mW-200mW)

 

[Keiichi tsuchiya]

Hope you get it ! But still i wouldn't trow my money on just looks and not performance. Also i wouldn't trust some dude in china...unless its less than $50...then i wouldn't mind. Like i said good luck....

 

[Atomicrox]

Do you mean drivers with modes or more functions than that, like infinitely variable?

I like the fact that if I have a high power laser with a lower power mode I can get longer run times and have it "safer". That is why I changed the driver on my Mit's 500mW 638nm Kryton Groove from a 3*AMC7135 without modes to one with modes, 800mW high, 100mW med, <1mW low.
That also is one reason I will be using X-Drives for my unique high power lasers so I can use a singe 18650 for a low mode (20mW-200mW)

I'd prefer infinitely variable, but 3 modes would be OK. But it's kind of important to have the modes triggered by a second button - it defeats the safety of having a low power mode if you have to turn it on high first

The only laser I have with "real" modes is the green box (on my sig), and that's only because I added a switch that adds a diode in series with the battery, LOL.

I also use a single 18650 on my 2x16340 buck drivers for a low power mode but that has a very annoying issue - every time you power them up on a single batt the power is different. And you have to use a full batt or it won't lase at all :/

Also I'm curious as to how you managed to make a 500mW laser lase with 1mW. I never managed that with a multi-mode diode.

 

[hakzaw1]

I have both 635 JLs (200 & 400 mW) these all have six modes and start a the lowest power NOT the highest- there is a second button to switch to strobe- the bigger button switches to the two higher powers- all of these JL reds meter overspec. And the warranty and customer service is awesome. So depending where you place your emphasis.. most will choose JL.... BTW all of mine are focusable (& C-mounts).

JL ships very quickly-delivery less than a week in almost all orders.--BUT I place quick delivery below 'safe' delivery in order of importance. -- and JLs going to CONUS pretty much never get inspected once they leave DHL Express China-- and JL is on the Custom's 'trusted exporters list' while WL is on the other one!! (never to be trusted & ALL packages marked as coming from WL get opened every time by USA Customs)

 

[Mattronium]

I'd prefer infinitely variable, but 3 modes would be OK. But it's kind of important to have the modes triggered by a second button - it defeats the safety of having a low power mode if you have to turn it on high first

The only laser I have with "real" modes is the green box (on my sig), and that's only because I added a switch that adds a diode in series with the battery, LOL.

I also use a single 18650 on my 2x16340 buck drivers for a low power mode but that has a very annoying issue - every time you power them up on a single batt the power is different. And you have to use a full batt or it won't lase at all :/

Also I'm curious as to how you managed to make a 500mW laser lase with 1mW. I never managed that with a multi-mode diode.

About the last question, the answer is, I'm not sure entirely.
First, it might only be LED emission.
Second, on med mode it is pulsed at approximately 5.7kHz, so it might be higher peak power vs. average.
And Third, it could actually be anything less than 5mW, because the LPM only seams to measure anything >5mW.

 

[Atomicrox]

Gotcha. It should be possible if the driver uses PWM to lower the power, but in that case the laser might not be as safe as you imagine. AFAIK maximum exposure calculations for pulsed lasers are more complex than just taking the average power.