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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032 + extra outdoor pics

gismo

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Jan 8, 2013
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Greetings, forum members!

After my first review at lpf.com of mhemling's 405nm MS-V3, I'd like to introduce another and most recent addition to my collection. You're welcome to read the mini review of the "forest green" Stainless Steel build:

Aurora SH-032 520nm 100mW+


At the start, there was an idea buried deep down in my head, a dream of entering the forest of the darker green spectrum. Translated into the everyday talk, I was looking for a 520nm wavelength custom laser build. I didn't have to look for it too long, my decision's been focused on a skilful builder based in Europe, Blord himself, a well established laser creator in lpf.com:).

This review wasn't written by me not only as a form of the late "thanks" to Blord for all the lasers he's made for me up to this date. It's also my personal view at a custom laser based on a wavelength which in the recent months started to draw an attention of every laser enthusiast around.

Stage zero: Preparation, building and shipment.

Communication with Blord was plain and straightforward throughout the whole process. Since I have a weakness for stainless steel hosts, after going through several body options, the final agreement settled down at the choice of Aurora SS SH-032 Cree R2. Didn't think twice when opting for it, since I already own a powerful 450nm build from RDTech in the very same shell. Being aware of the fact the weight and heat dissipation are both an important factor in the lasing game, I still wanted this. Badly;).

And Blord didn't say no:D.

To cross the psychological 100mW range within this build was another condition of mine, fulfilled again to my expectation.
After setting up the final price limit which met our mutual agreement, right after the paypal payment went through, it was time to let Blord do his laser magic. Basically it took him about 1 week since the first time I've contacted him per PM to get the build ready and ship it registered with the tracking number, easy to follow. I was impressed with delivery time, "the goods" landed at my apartment within 5 days time frame, incl. the weekend.


Product introduction: Laser unpacking, still depiction and technical details.

I've received my "green desire" in an envelope, inside of which it was well bubble-wrapped and protected against outside bumps.

Let's look at the package layers, step-by-step:na:

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Technical details provided by Blord as follow:

>Cree R2 Aurora SH-032 with mirror polished front, 100% copper heatsink
>Modified DX buck driver with heatsinked regulator set at 333mAh,
>PL520 3.8mm*520nm*green laser diode with 100% copper module
>Mohrenberg's extended focus adapter with G2 lens
>Power output of ~110mW, run time of (conservative) 1min and more (depending on how much the Aurora host heats up)/1 min off (at least)
>2x16340 or 2x18350 batteries

Ophir 5W LaserBee 2xLPM graph results

1st run at a cold start

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2nd run

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Let's reveal this beauty!

Closer look at the laser in different angles & still positioned:

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With the batteries used:

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I like the fact two different battery types can be used with this host, it comes handy to have a choice there.

Compared to another SH-032 build in my collection, this one is a slightly bit "mirror(fin)ish" so it shines slightly clearer. Definitely an eye-magnet of its own:), however collecting weak fingerprints, naturally (not an headache causing issue to me though;)).

Comparison pic between them two SS Aurora lasers:

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Product performance: Beam shots, day & night, indoors & outdoors.

What kind of a review would this be without some proper "still gameplay". To photograph "the photons", a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has been used. To achieve longer exposure set mostly to 20-30 seconds, which is natively not present in this cellphone's camera settings, I gave a go the application called Camera FV-5, bought at Google play store. Please note, the pictures (especially the dark ones) aren't the best seen around the forum, but I hope they do at least a partial satisfaction to 520nm wavelength:).
Note: I have not adjusted the final pictures whatsoever, so what you see is a real deal, with or out the flaws of the cellphone and my beginner's shooting skills:D.

Indoor shots taken at the kitchen desk and in the apartment entrance hall.

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Bath tube shot:D

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Big mirror shot

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Small mirror shot

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Outdoor shots (at the dusk & nearly dark)

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Note: I've clearly noticed the splash sort of a line which is clearly visible if using protective glasses used (OD7+). Although it'd be rather nice to have the dot perfectly round at short distance, it's not too bad at the distance.
Personally for me it's not a downside really. Since it seems to be more of a diode related sign, there isn't much I can do about it. Hell, it could be seen as a feature after all:D.


Bonus shot

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Conclusion: A few impressions and the final verdict.

What else to say… sometimes too many words can't express a true art-of-work creation. Perhaps I'll exaggerate here, but I find the darker green damn hot, probably due to the fact I'm dark green-eyed fella myself:D. Seriously though, this is a magnificent laser pointer, could be publicly one of its kind, who knows…(if someone owns SH-032 520nm beamer, raise your hands, would't mind;)).

Thank you, Blord. Thank you for your patience, information source and time. As a happy owner of an attractive "forest green" build I'm well satisfied with the reliability and great build performance your work is well known for. And as many other members, who bought off you before, I can always recommended your class service and customer care.

Looking forward to more projects to come…

Also :thanks: everyone who reads the entire mini review, if you like it, feel free to comment!

:wave:
 
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Joined
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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Excellent work and fantastic pics! Your 520 looks a little blue in some of the pics too...;) Thanks for sharing +1 :beer:

Edit: Sorry must spread some first...
 
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Joined
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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

very nice, lots of pics. I'm getting one. different host though
 

BowtieGuy

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Very nice mini review! :)

Great pics, especially the 1st one, sitting in ice?, and the last one!
Super choice of hosts, that S.S. Aurora SH 032 is a classic.
That focus adapter looks like it's made for this host.

+1 for you! Great laser, sexy wavelengh, and a top notch builder!
 

AnthoT

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

That's a beautiful laser I love the sh032 hosts.
 

gismo

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Thanks for your comments, guys!

grainde: if there's a little bit of blue tint in some of them pics, blame the phone camera, not me:D. Seriously now, some of the shots came up nearly as 532nm, but that was to be expected. Also, I'm just too lazy to do any post processing:D.

Shakenawake: once you get your built done, don't hesitate to let us all know:).

BowtieGuy: The "fake ice" is in fact hundreds of acrylic crystal clear stones. They're about 1-1.5cm each in diameter, very lightweight (nature of the material), bought 5+1 bags (cca. 100 pcs per bag) of them at ebay;)

AnthoT: as BowtieGuy wrote, it's a classic host, indeed. Wanted to have it paired with my 450nm from RDTech;).
 
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sinner

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Amazing shots, Loving the photography and cool addition to your laser collection for sure!! :beer:
 
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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Well Done gismo.Excellent Review!I Loved it and enjoyed reading it!As for the unit..I love anything SS(Shiny..or..Matte..)and Aurora SH-032 is one of my future plans in Green laser too!For Blord you know my opinion too.He is the Magician to deal with!!:D:D:wave::wave::
 
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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Looking good gismo! Very nice photos. I just built one like it yesterday afternoon. Dtr's sale was too much to resist buying one of these diodes. The sh-032 is one of my favorite hosts, your's looks great with the focus ring added.
 

gismo

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

sinner, Chris190577, cheech226: thank you, gentlemen, for the kind words:wave:

I always try to deliver many pictures, they surely are worth more than words.

Perhaps I've contributed by this review to even a bit more increased popularity of 520nm and the SH-032 host in general:D.
 
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Pman

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Love that last shot the best.
Congrats and welcome to the > 100mw 520nm club:)
My LZB 520 is one of my favorites.
+REP
 

gismo

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

^Gratitude, Pman. I've also posted some more shots in Multimedia section, perhaps you might like some of them. It's nice to be a proud owner of 520nm beamer:D.

Again, thank you all for feedback & rep adding, means a lot to me:).
 

Blord

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Thanks for the comprehensive review. You have taken many pictures. Especially the ice shot turns out very well.
I don't see a blueish beam. The green looks right to me. You have to see in real life for the right color and 520nm is a special green color.
 

gismo

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

:thanks:, Blord!

I couldn't see blue colour residue either. This darker green is possibly my rarest wavelength atm:). Looking forward to receive more builds...;)
 

gismo

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Re: 520nm 100mW+ SS Aurora SH-032

Just a few outdoor night shots added. Taken with Nikon D5200 at 20sec exposure with no flash.

27/9/13

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:)
 
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nice. i have the same host, with the same current setting :) however, you are getting more power than i am, because i don't have the g2 lens, just the standard 3 element.
 




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