Here's my mini review of this laser I bought from DTR.
First of all, DTR was very responsive and easy to deal with!
I noticed in the youtube video that the penetration on CD cases were taking about a second or less.... but I'm assuming that was the G-1 lens at about 3 inches is what it looked like.
I've come to the conclusion that the extra wattage of the G-1 excels at very close range but I actually like the Aixiz 405 glass better at 1 foot and beyond.
Here are my results:
Pros of G-1 are slightly wider beam and therefore more visible at a distance, however the small very tight beam of the Aixiz I prefer streaming through the air as it "looks" more dense. A simple turn of the focus ring will make it bigger but there is a bit less total wattage using this lens verses the G-1. Most likely due to the fact that the G-1 is one lens, the Aixiz setup is two.
But I'm sure the extra wattage pf the G-1 lens on a meter is the other big plus.
However, in real practice I used a black plastic CD case set about 12 inches away and my wall set about 10 feet away and since I don't have a meter, I used simply used my hand.
G-1 lens took about 3 sec to penetrate the cd case but had a bigger hole than the Aixiz which took 2 -2.5 sec".
At very close range, this Aixiz lens can get stinkin tiny for its divergence!.....
I then tried about 3 inches away to match the video and it took about 1.5 seconds for my Aixiz lens to penetrate... I didn't try the G-1 at this distance but I"m assuming it would be about a second.
At 10 feet is the real difference!...
Since I don't have a meter, I used my hand.
G-1 took about 3 seconds before I had to remove my hand.
Aixiz took 1.5 seconds and no more!....Ouch!
Of course I didn't dare use my hand at closer distances... the burn would be instantaneous in the msec range.... there is a difference in pain verses real damage and I value my hand.
Yes, I have burn't my fingers twice while adjusting the lens while the laser is on.... like the smell of burn't flesh?
I found its easier to hold the lens and turn the laser rather than the other way around as it keeps the lens position stable in your fingers so you don't toast them!
I also have a 1200mw unit also and when comparing the two, it obviously burns faster than this little guy.. but once has to realize twice the power does not demonstrate twice the glory!
I'm amazed at what this will do and how it compares side by side with double the power. While you can see a visible difference, its not enough that you would notice unless your looking for it.
In summary:
IMO unless your wanting to show off what your power meter will do or burn at extremely close ranges, I think the Aixiz lens is better.
Yes its technically emits less power but it much more focused and so the power you do have is much more impacting if your trying to burn or penetrate.
As stated, my hand felt too hot to not move in 1/2 the time at 10 feet with the Aixiz lens verses the G-1. I'm sure more distance is even more dramatic.
This little unit is stainless and it looks so. Its built like you could run over it with a truck and leave it sitting all night with the weight of the tire on top and the next day would show no effects!... other than maybe the pocket clip that comes with it.
Besides being tough, I appreciate beauty in a laser.
I want my lasers to look like lasers, not a flashlight!...And I want them to look like they are some expensive James Bond device... not a simple toy...... this one fits the ticket!
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Too bad all I can afford right now is a Mohrenberg kit :undecided: