yobresal
0
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2007
- Messages
- 4,919
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So you are on a budget and you want to buy a high powered green laser eh? Well There are a couple of option out there to say the least. If you are on a tight budget I am sure you have already shopped out the Rayfoss 250mW IR filtered, the O-like Bargain 400mW (non IR- Filtered) and the Sky Lasers (focalprice) 200mW.
I will also throw in an Optotronics RPL 350mW for kicks. After all they are the favorite laser amongst the laser enthusiast who can afford the Ferrari of lasers.
Prices with shipping:
Rayfoss 250mW = $303+$31 (return shipping)=$334
O-Like 400mW (non IR filtered)= $377
Focal Price 200mW = $243+$31 (return shipping)=$274
Optotronics RPL 350mW= $1078
Well I have recently purchased one of each to do a little comparison/review. I have not informed any of the companies of my intentions to compare all of them up against eachother so the lasers I receive should be just as random as anyone else buying one. As soon as they all arrive I will give detailed review of every aspect of these lasers.
First arrival is Rayfoss:
So after much anticipation the laser has arrived. Rayfoss was also nice enough to include a few freebies. AWESOME. This is the EXACT same laser as the O-like bargain 250 only this one has a filter.
Rayfoss 250
Peak output: ?
Average output: ?
beam diameter @ aperture: 2mm
Divergence: 1.6mrad
Sexiness: 4/10
Mode: TEM02
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, IR filter, led indicator light, start up delay.
Other pros/cons: CHEAP. FAST SHIPPING.
NOTES: I was unable to get a power measurement on this laser as I sent my meter out to laserSbee for a trade. I am sorry but I could not stand to see this laser out of mode and it only seemed to be putting out 200mW so I took it completely apart and gave it an overhaul. I adjusted the current until the mode went into tem00. Seems it was being underdriven!!!! The laser is now in perfect tem00 and appears MUCH brighter. It is equal in brightness to the RPL350 however the beam diameter is much larger. So it is different.
Other modifications: The led indicator light is too darn bright. It has been removed. Also The button looks kind of Huge and Bright red so.....It has been removed. I now call this laser the "Black Stallion" It is all black without a touch of color anywhere. To turn it on simply turn the key. To to it off just turn the key again. I am working on finding an all black rear clicky that will fit.
Second & Third are in:
RPL 350
Peak output: 425mW
Average output: 380mW
beam diameter @ aperture: 1.3mm
Divergence: 1mrad
Sexiness: 10/10
Mode: TEM00
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, IR filter, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Light weight, Power Selector tail cap.
FocalPrice
"SKY 200"
These are the SKY manufacturers rejects. Skylasers.com are a US distributer and have strict QC policies. They are two separate beasts. I have owned both and know from experience.
Peak output: 92mW
Average output: 70mW
beam diameter @ aperture: 5mm
Divergence: adjustable down to 1.8mrad
Sexiness: 5/10
Mode: TEMGod only knows
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, kill switch, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Very long, very low powered, has minor blemishes like it has been used, lots of scatter around the dot. Adjustable focus.
Rayfoss on the left compared with RPL.
O-Like
Peak output: 320mW (532nm output)
Average output: 290mW (532nm output)
beam diameter @ aperture: 2mm
Divergence: 1.4mrad
Sexiness: 4/10
Mode: TEM00
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, 2 second delay, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Best bang for buck. Ships in 2 separate package for customs safety this also means a long wait.
I will also throw in an Optotronics RPL 350mW for kicks. After all they are the favorite laser amongst the laser enthusiast who can afford the Ferrari of lasers.
Prices with shipping:
Rayfoss 250mW = $303+$31 (return shipping)=$334
O-Like 400mW (non IR filtered)= $377
Focal Price 200mW = $243+$31 (return shipping)=$274
Optotronics RPL 350mW= $1078
Well I have recently purchased one of each to do a little comparison/review. I have not informed any of the companies of my intentions to compare all of them up against eachother so the lasers I receive should be just as random as anyone else buying one. As soon as they all arrive I will give detailed review of every aspect of these lasers.
First arrival is Rayfoss:
So after much anticipation the laser has arrived. Rayfoss was also nice enough to include a few freebies. AWESOME. This is the EXACT same laser as the O-like bargain 250 only this one has a filter.
Rayfoss 250
Peak output: ?
Average output: ?
beam diameter @ aperture: 2mm
Divergence: 1.6mrad
Sexiness: 4/10
Mode: TEM02
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, IR filter, led indicator light, start up delay.
Other pros/cons: CHEAP. FAST SHIPPING.
NOTES: I was unable to get a power measurement on this laser as I sent my meter out to laserSbee for a trade. I am sorry but I could not stand to see this laser out of mode and it only seemed to be putting out 200mW so I took it completely apart and gave it an overhaul. I adjusted the current until the mode went into tem00. Seems it was being underdriven!!!! The laser is now in perfect tem00 and appears MUCH brighter. It is equal in brightness to the RPL350 however the beam diameter is much larger. So it is different.
Other modifications: The led indicator light is too darn bright. It has been removed. Also The button looks kind of Huge and Bright red so.....It has been removed. I now call this laser the "Black Stallion" It is all black without a touch of color anywhere. To turn it on simply turn the key. To to it off just turn the key again. I am working on finding an all black rear clicky that will fit.
Second & Third are in:
RPL 350
Peak output: 425mW
Average output: 380mW
beam diameter @ aperture: 1.3mm
Divergence: 1mrad
Sexiness: 10/10
Mode: TEM00
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, IR filter, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Light weight, Power Selector tail cap.
FocalPrice
"SKY 200"
These are the SKY manufacturers rejects. Skylasers.com are a US distributer and have strict QC policies. They are two separate beasts. I have owned both and know from experience.
Peak output: 92mW
Average output: 70mW
beam diameter @ aperture: 5mm
Divergence: adjustable down to 1.8mrad
Sexiness: 5/10
Mode: TEMGod only knows
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, kill switch, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Very long, very low powered, has minor blemishes like it has been used, lots of scatter around the dot. Adjustable focus.
Rayfoss on the left compared with RPL.
O-Like
Peak output: 320mW (532nm output)
Average output: 290mW (532nm output)
beam diameter @ aperture: 2mm
Divergence: 1.4mrad
Sexiness: 4/10
Mode: TEM00
Safety features: Aperture cover, key lock, 2 second delay, led indicator light.
Other pros/cons: Best bang for buck. Ships in 2 separate package for customs safety this also means a long wait.
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