Review of the Sanwu Challenger II- 465 nm 2 Watt multimode

[Pelagius]

It arrived today! So in went an Orbitronic 18650 Protected battery. It started in 1 mW mode. I was able to switch it to half and full power easily with tail switch half presses. This switching requires a protected 18650 within a certain range of length. I've written elsewhere about that- so I won't re-reiterate it here!

A nice bright blue beam! This replaces my 1 Watt 450 nm "Ebay Gatling". I wanted longer run time-and a more visible beam. Got it! The description is 24X 140 mm Copper-Nickel Alloy host, 30 mm Copper Heat sink @ 260 g without the battery. This works as additional heat sinking capability and the duty cycle is listed as unlimited. As expected the beam spot is rectangular and some dark wood started smoking immediately when the spot got below 1cm in length. As expected-when focused, I was able to write and draw on wood easily-even on a rounded stick of 2 inch diameter. No balloon popping or matches as of yet and I'm sure it would cut electrical tape. I have a 3X beam expander that I've yet to try.
I took a few beam shots outside-after setting focus close-so the beam would be BROAD at impact distance. There are some Xcubes from KingCube in the picture-and I found a use for the metal case I got with the Gatling.
One question-where is the odd screw attachment I see in the website pics? I've 3 of these Challenger 2's-but no odd attachments.
Here's the 30 mm Copper Heatsink- there are gaskets between each section
Tailcap-all well made

Some beams

 

[paul1598419]

Congratulations on your new laser. Looks like it has an NDB7675 diode in it. I need to build the two I have in my queue. These have been over driven to get higher wavelengths, but lower power. Some have been driven at 2.8 amps. That is almost double what yours is likely driven at. Great review. Thanks.

 

[RedCowboy]

Very nice, make sure to keep that diode window protected from dust and contamination.

 

[cistercian]

Sweet laser...happy burning!

 

[paul1598419]

They are a nice color after seeing 445nm for a long time. I got my two NDB7675s on eBay auctions for about $20.00 each. Brand new diodes with no solder and full length pins.

 

[Pelagius]

Thanks Paul! Wow. 2.8AMPS! I don't know how to multiquote-so I'm doing it cut and paste.
"Congratulations on your new laser. Looks like it has an NDB7675 diode in it. I need to build the two I have in my queue. These have been over driven to get higher wavelengths, but lower power. Some have been driven at 2.8 amps. That is almost double what yours is likely driven at. Great review. Thanks."

Redcowboy-thanks-and I just took the front off to show the heatsink. "-)
" Very nice, make sure to keep that diode window protected from dust and contamination."
Cistercian- thanks! I'm trying to deal with the smoke-my bathroom fan is insufficient! I'm thinking open back door-with fan blowing it out.
Paul- I do like the color!

 

[cistercian]

I was burning with one of my big 520nm jetlasers last night, I recharged the cells and it outputs 966mw. My other one
does 1243mw @ 520nm. I am charging my new 26650 cells for my 3w+ 465nm PLE-PRO that is on it's way.
I can't wait to see how it burns. I also just got 2 new eagle pair goggles one for blues and greens(a second pair for visitors)
and my first red protection pair. I had some fun with a 9 dollar 180mw 650nm pointer today. I burned my initials into the desk!

I also have a 7 dollar set of 3 colors coming in I will review for the cash strapped among us. I will actually use the camera as
well as the laserbee power meter. I still can't believe 200mw class focusable red lasers are so inexpensive...

We are fortunate indeed to have so many good lasers that are so inexpensive to buy/build!!!!!

I wonder what the neighbors think when my room lights up vivid green, blue, and red?
I have drapes but they are not totally opaque. the view from outside must be epic!

 

[Pelagius]

"cistercian, post: 1547122, member: 16411"]I was burning with one of my big 520nm jetlasers last night, I recharged the cells and it outputs 966mw. My other one
does 1243mw @ 520nm. I am charging my new 26650 cells for my 3w+ 465nm PLE-PRO that is on it's way.
Oh nice! 1243 mW of 520 nm. Bright- can you see the difference compared to your 966 mW? My 2W 465 has a visible beam
I
can't wait to see how it burns. I also just got 2 new eagle pair goggles one for blues and greens(a second pair for visitors)
and my first red protection pair. I had some fun with a 9 dollar 180mw 650nm pointer today. I burned my initials into the desk!

Judging from the speed at which I can write on wood-I'd say your 3W will do well. I have no reds-I'm debating over a 1.6W 405 and a 1W 635 nm for next month. I ordered an Eagle Pair to cover the Red wavelengths. Want it on head before a red arrives.

I also have a 7 dollar set of 3 colors coming in I will review for the cash strapped among us. I will actually use the camera as
well as the laserbee power meter. I still can't believe 200mw class focusable red lasers are so inexpensive...
It's amazing!

We are fortunate indeed to have so many good lasers that are so inexpensive to buy/build!!!!!

I wonder what the neighbors think when my room lights up vivid green, blue, and red?
I have drapes but they are not totally opaque. the view from outside must be epic!["

I wonder the same!

 

[cistercian]

I cannot see the difference between 966mw and 1243mw. The beam in both cases is epic bright. Other than beam
viewing out doors, goggles are required! The earlier build higher wattage 520 is slightly better in all respects.
Beam quality and even the focuser seems nicer. It is a really nice piece. I suspect the 2 have different diodes.
The high power one I think is a 1 watt Nichia. I strongly suspect the 966mw one is a 700mw Nichia that is overdriven.

But that is just my suspicion. I could be wrong.

 

[Pelagius]

Since it takes a quadrupling of power to appear twice as bright that make sense. Are they both Jetlasers? I don't have any at this point.
They are very bright!

I cannot see the difference between 966mw and 1243mw. The beam in both cases is epic bright. Other than beam
viewing out doors, goggles are required! The earlier build higher wattage 520 is slightly better in all respects.
Beam quality and even the focuser seems nicer. It is a really nice piece. I suspect the 2 have different diodes.
The high power one I think is a 1 watt Nichia. I strongly suspect the 966mw one is a 700mw Nichia that is overdriven.

But that is just my suspicion. I could be wrong.

 

[Pelagius]

Another beam shot- smokin' wood. I have yet to get a fog machine. The big over exposed spot is the flat dark gray rock I use as a beam stop.

 

[paul1598419]

It all depends on what you are looking for out of a laser. To get one with a large coherence length you will pay much more than you do for lasers that burn wood. My burning days are way behind me now. I just finished building an 1100 mW 520nm laser and you don't need goggles to look at the light from it if it is not collimated. The bright spot on a white surface will no more harm your vision than the flash from a camera will. It is just a bright light and nothing more.

 

[Pelagius]

I'm curious as to what sort of experiments you embark upon! So if I understand this is using a host from a member called "Sinner?" I read DRT's post on his "Green Hulk?" " MS-SSW-II "
I do wear goggles when looking at the focused beam spot-for certain!

It all depends on what you are looking for out of a laser. To get one with a large coherence length you will pay much more than you do for lasers that burn wood. My burning days are way behind me now. I just finished building an 1100 mW 520nm laser and you don't need goggles to look at the light from it if it is not collimated. The bright spot on a white surface will no more harm your vision than the flash from a camera will. It is just a bright light and nothing more.

 

[paul1598419]

I have made and intend to continue to make holograms. To get a good reflection hologram you need a long coherence length laser. The longer, the better. As far as wearing goggles to look at the focused spot on a wall or beam stop, that is unnecessary as the spot, no matter how bright it might seem is not coherent and cannot blind you. You would be much worse off getting a reflection off of glass or some mirrored surface from a 100 mW laser than looking at the spot from a focused laser. The spot is just like any point source of light because it can be seen from any place in the room. Being such, it decreases as the inverse of the square of the distance you are away from it. It maybe bright, but it will not harm your vision.

 

[cistercian]

I tried to meter my new jetlaser 465nm PLE-PRO I received today. It is over 3200mw. It limited my laserbee 2!
It burns like mad!

 

[Pelagius]

I tried to meter my new jetlaser 465nm PLE-PRO I received today. It is over 3200mw. It limited my laserbee 2!
It burns like mad!

I use a large dark grey rock as a beam stop-and have a sink near by. In fact I use the counter for my set up. It's all in the focus.
I do like the color!