Q-line elf 488nm water proof laser

[Alex2893]

https://laserpointerstore.com/q-line-elf-waterproof-laser-pointer

Anyone have this laser. It seams like a decent deal for the 488nm diode.

 

[Pelagius]

I have a similar laser from a different maker- pretty nice! Look up some reviews by Cisterician and others for 488 nm and 505 nm.

 

[CurtisOliver]

You can get them on eBay, as well as other places. They were never $209 to start off with so I'm always wary of companies that state it's on offer like that. They also go for ~$65 on eBay.
eBay - link
I have recently got one ordered for me as a Christmas present. It has arrived, but can't test it yet.

Also The_LED_Museum just reviewed one.

link

Edit: Originally gave prices of 510nm model.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

I bought one from eBay. Mines on the green side for these diodes.

https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/waterproof-ebay-488.103249/

These are just the mass produced waterproof hosts, branding is after the fact... Nonetheless $50 isn't a bad price

 

[CurtisOliver]

Yep, forgot you had one as well. It is interesting as The_LED_Museum's one hovered around 489nm, and yours is 493nm. I'm wondering what my one will be. I'm hoping for 490-491nm personally. Unfortunately I paid around $64 for mine at the time. But for a working waterproof 488nm I really can't complain at all.

 

[paul1598419]

The one on Laser pointer stores is $99.00. That is too much $$$ for this Sharp diode that isn't really 488nm, but anywhere from 487nm to 492nm. I can, and do, test lasers for wavelength if anyone wants one tested. I have seen these on eBay for $50.00 which seems like a reasonable price to me.

 

[Nexgen]

Mine came with crooked beam. No chance to fix that. Tested it under water, thats cool laser. Its been on 6ft under water and no signs of leak inside. Worth every penny unless crooked beam is a nightmare. I modded it lowering power to around 20mw to be safer near water.

If someone wants to replace driver, thats very easy to do. Everything unscrews smoothly.

 

[Alex2893]

those of you that ordered it off ebay what was the shipping wait time like?

 

[Nexgen]

those of you that ordered it off ebay what was the shipping wait time like?

Around 15 days.

 

[Alex2893]

Around 15 days.

Thats doable

 

[paul1598419]

It really depends on where you live in the US. It takes 9 to 10 days for me to receive something here in Tacoma. That is from the day I pay for it until the day I receive it. So, if you are on the west coast, it will likely get to you much faster than 15 days.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Well I tested mine today and I was very happy with it. It has to be my favourite part of the spectrum for sure. Mine has a bit of green in it too, but not much. It is mostly pure cyan with a green tinge at certain angles. I would place it between 491-492nm, but probably more towards 492nm I would reckon.


Here's some pics. I have had to colour correct them the best I could to what I can see with my own eyes, as my phone camera picked it up as sky blue.

Overall, great laser and at that price a steal. Don't get it from Laser Pointer Store, get it from eBay instead for a better price.

 

[paul1598419]

Yeah, that doesn't look like a true 488nm laser, Curtis. Still, $64.00 is not a bad price. Glad you got it and thanks for the photos.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Yeah, that doesn't look like a true 488nm laser, Curtis. Still, $64.00 is not a bad price. Glad you got it and thanks for the photos.

I'm actually happy about that. I have an argon, and I wanted something =>490nm. But I may have to PM you in a bit for help.
The colour on this laser is one of the hardest in my collection to explain.

 

[paul1598419]

I have run into the same problem. Trying to describe the color to someone else is near impossible as even photo shopped pictures don't do them justice. I generally try to describe them in terms of the amount of green and blue it has, but that still doesn't do the actual color justice.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Yes, now I appreciate that myself. Well if I was a was a estimate the wavelength equivalent for different lighting conditions it would probably go like this:
Under low intensity:
Bright sunlight - 486/487nm ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Room Lighting - 490/491nm ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Darkened room - 493/494nm ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

When collimated however you seem to get all of these colours together but with the average colour matching the above observations.