Brand new 150mW from laserbtb terribly underpowered

[Light Chaser]

I just got my brand new 150mW laser from laserbtb. I am using brand new CR123A 3.6V batteries from JUICE.

The laser won't light matches, pop balloons or cut anything. The beam is not visible in daylight and just barely visible inside. At night it is pretty bright but not what I was expecting. Did I get a under spec laser?

 

[Livinloud]

did you adjust the focus? an unfocused laser wont do crap. ive also never heard of that battery but doesnt mean its not good. try using a 16340 instead of the CR123A (i know they are basically the same but ive never used a CR123A and IMO they are way over priced compared to 16340's)

 

[Light Chaser]

Yes, even with the laser focused it won't burn. I can burn a small hole in a garbage bag but it takes 20-30 seconds. I have a $10 5mW pen laser from ebay that is brighter than this one. For over $100 Im very disappointed. I can literally almost not see the beam inside.

All the reviews on this battery say it's good. I bought two of them brand new and they work great in my flashlight.

 

[Livinloud]

well id contact laserbtb and get a replacement

 

[Light Chaser]

That's what I was thinking. I was comparing it to videos of 150mW lasers on YouTube and it doesn't even compare.

Is laserbtb usually known for under spec lasers? Their reviews seemed to be pretty good.

 

[norbyx]

Well first you can't really say that is underspec unless you had a LPM. Now question. What color is the laser? Could you post some pictures? There is a big difference in seeing a green color beam to a violet color, or a red.

 

[Livinloud]

True norbyx. Must have been slow this morning since I didnt catch that. Some reason I assunes it was a 532

 

[Sigurthr]

Also, the laser is designed for a Li-Ion 4.2V 16340 not a 3.6V CR123A. RCR123A's are usually interchangeable with Li-Ion 16340s but not always standard CR123A's.

Battery voltage did seem to play a large role in output power with the LaserBtB 100mW I had so it would follow the 150 is similar.

 

[Light Chaser]

The laser is 532nm. Per the manufactures suggestion it requires a 16340 battery. Im assuming there might be a problem with my batteries. I have some new ones in the mail. Ill keep you guys updated.