Sanwu Guardian 1W 520nm Review

[MassLaserGuy]

I'm a newcomer to Sanwu lasers, but if this first laser from them is an example, I'll be a repeat customer.

I just got a 1W 520nm Guardian laser with the G7 lens and a single-mode click switch. It has the smooth case, well machined. The laser produces the brightest spot in the distance I've ever seen. With the 3x beam expander attached, the beam is about 1.5 cm wide at the laser, but the dispersion is less and it makes an even brighter spot.

First some pictures of the laser. It fits in the palm of my (large) hand, and is actually the smallest laser I currently have. It feels heavy, due to its solid metal construction. Although it is supposed to take an 18350 battery, it runs fine on 16340's.

As I said, the machining is excellent. Here are two photos taken from above. In the second, I slightly unscrewed the lens and the battery cap, exposing a tiny gap. When the ends are tightened, the gap is invisible.

I haven't taken any beam shots, and frankly they are never a close approximation to seeing the real thing. Take my word for it - the beam is brilliant, and the spot is clearly visible on any surface as far as the eye can see in bright sunshine.

Finally, here's a shot with the beam expander. With the expander in place, the beam is a thin ribbon which looks awesome in the night.

I also bought a set of star caps. These make interesting patterns on the ceiling, but I am unwilling to use them outdoors, as it's much harder to be certain that nobody is getting unwanted laser beams in the face.

Which brings up a final point. This is a dangerous device. I also own several powerful handguns and I also have a powerful drag race car. Each of these toys is dangerous and must be handled with caution, awareness, and most of all, respect.

 

[RedCowboy]

Sanwu has Great quality and I love the lenses they brought us, the 3X beam expander is a must have, it also fits many other housings plus there's an adaptor so you can use them on your custom builds. :beer:

 

[Gazen]

That's a nice one, I was thinking of getting one of sanwu's guardian lasers myself.
I hopefully wait for beam shots, accurate or not

 

[paul1598419]

The reason it is so bright is its wavelength. It is very close to the peak of our vision and so is brighter per mW than other colors like red, blue and violet. Just because it looks bright doesn't make it nearly as dangerous as 2 and 3 watt blue lasers that aren't nearly as bright, but have 2 to 3 times the optical power. I'm glad you like it and the review was pretty good, but don't expect this laser to be more dangerous than less bright ones at greater powers.

 

[BobMc]

Nice review, nice looking pictures also, great little laser. As mentained Sanwu's BE's are a must have. I got little Ultra Fire flashlight holisters that fits just great. I cut a hole in the top ,so I don't even have to take it out, can just push the button from the bottom. Keeps it nice and scratch free. Enjoy your Guardian.

 

[lasersbee]

Nice detailed review and clear pics...
Would have been nice to know the actual
power of your 520nm with the G7 lens.

Jerry

 

[MassLaserGuy]

Nice detailed review and clear pics...
Would have been nice to know the actual
power of your 520nm with the G7 lens.

Jerry

Although I don't have a LPM, one can guesstimate this from two datapoints: First, Sanwu shows LPM tests of their 1W 520nm lasers, coming in at just over 1,000 mW. Second is the known efficiency of the G7 lens, something like 88%. Based on these two numbers, I would guess that the laser outputs something close to 900 mW.

 

[MassLaserGuy]

The reason it is so bright is its wavelength. It is very close to the peak of our vision and so is brighter per mW than other colors like red, blue and violet. Just because it looks bright doesn't make it nearly as dangerous as 2 and 3 watt blue lasers that aren't nearly as bright, but have 2 to 3 times the optical power. I'm glad you like it and the review was pretty good, but don't expect this laser to be more dangerous than less bright ones at greater powers.

Well understood. I didn't intend to suggest that the danger of a 520nm laser is any more or less than blue or red lasers of the same output power. The statement of caution and respect for this laser applies to any Class IV laser. Of course, a green laser looks brighter than a blue or red of the same power, but as you said that's a result of the relative sensitivity of our eyes to green light.

That being said, I stand by my point that this is an exceedingly bright laser!

 

[Podo]

Excellent review and glad you like it. If someone's wondering, we use NDG7475 for all the 1w 520nm laser models on our store!:beer:

 

[paul1598419]

Yes, any green laser with an optical power around 1 watt is exceedingly bright. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Would love some beam shots just to see. My 1350 mW 532nm lab laser is exceedingly bright too.

 

[MrEgg]

Excellent review and glad you like it. If someone's wondering, we use NDG7475 for all the 1w 520nm laser models on our store!

Excellent lasers. I've got your Challenger II 520nm 1watt and it's simply amazing, extremely well made and the NDG7475 is incredible. Thanks Sanwu for making excellent lasers!

 

[ChrisWhit]

I wonder which diode Jetlasers puts in their 1watt 520s.. I have two of those.. One is dazzler/stun gun, lol! I'm guessing whichever diode, it must be durable

 

[Frozenferrari]

Those hosts are soo nice! I wonder how much machining effort is actually required to make them look so seamless. A lathe can flush a surface but you also have to consider the threadwork I think, in order to make the assembly result so flawless at the gap.
Hows the runtime?

 

[MrEgg]

Those hosts are soo nice! I wonder how much machining effort is actually required to make them look so seamless. A lathe can flush a surface but you also have to consider the threadwork I think, in order to make the assembly result so flawless at the gap.
Hows the runtime?

Many years ago, I worked in engineering and manufacturing of small components and I remember items like the Sanwu lasers coming in, tubes of steel screwed in various places and they would be turned on a lathe and then we’d spin them in a special machine with a grinding wheel and synthetic oil suds. The result would be a perfectly smooth tube and I distinctly remember not being able to see the joins. Sanwu’s amazing hosts remind me of just that. Not sure if that’s their process but I bet I’m not far wrong.

 

[MrEgg]

Those hosts are soo nice! I wonder how much machining effort is actually required to make them look so seamless. A lathe can flush a surface but you also have to consider the threadwork I think, in order to make the assembly result so flawless at the gap.
Hows the runtime?

Run time.... I usually keep it on for no longer than a minute, then let it cool. It's seldom on for more than 30 seconds though, the NDG7475 seems to generate a lot of heat very quickly and more so than my 3watt 445nm.

 

[paul1598419]

Run time.... I usually keep it on for no longer than a minute, then let it cool. It's seldom on for more than 30 seconds though, the NDG7475 seems to generate a lot of heat very quickly and more so than my 3watt 445nm.

That is because the forward voltage on the green diode is higher than a blue one. Depending on the current set, sometimes a lot higher. You end up with more power being dissipated as heat.