gismo
0
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2013
- Messages
- 758
- Points
- 43
Hello there, lpf.com watchers & readers,
once again I’m back today to share yet one last 445nm build (can’t have enough of them, right
) with, to be displayed here in the Review forum section. It’s a damn long overdue one, since I happen to own the beamer since January this year. This time I type more words for the drama to come and as usual let the gallery guide you through the jungle.
once again I’m back today to share yet one last 445nm build (can’t have enough of them, right
) with, to be displayed here in the Review forum section. It’s a damn long overdue one, since I happen to own the beamer since January this year. This time I type more words for the drama to come and as usual let the gallery guide you through the jungle.Days of future past
As the title states, the object of my photographic curiosity was the Groovy laser host with blue multimode inners, cooked and presented by on of the skilful forum machinists, mrcrouse (aka Mike, just like me). Just as a quick reminder for all of you’s, here’s the link that depicts the original design I personally fell in love the 1st time I’ve spotted it (among many others):
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/feeler-custom-2x18650-hosts-80235.html
Eventually, the attention of the new design line started to rise after the proper multimedia presentation:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/mrcrouse-s-custom-hosts-picture-heavy-84563.html
At that wild stage when I’d jumped pretty much onto any eye-catching 445nm power laser, not to mention how I prefer clean & simple design, add the shiny polished factor to it, I contacted mrcrouse, who kindly recommended bloompyle as a builder. However as he apologised to me not to be the one who composes the laser (personal life & other probably gas lasers elated projects), the final choice went to scumbagatheist. Back then I didn’t have a clue it would take more than 4 months to finally enjoy the Groovy with my naked eye. Long story short, SBA had to deal with serious private life situations, some of the members who were in touch with him might know. I respected it and let it run as it was, desire the fact money was paid end of August. After all he managed to steal some time for perhaps one of the last laser building jobs while he was active in the forums and managed to customise the laser to his best judgement just during the month of December 2013. I can describe our mutual email communication as friendly and open-minded as it only could be, no complaints whatsoever.
Finally the day of delivery in January has come…
…and the Groovy landed in its full glory. As an (currently already former) owner of the Zaser laser, I wasn’t much surprised by the size of the host. Dimensions are very similar when comparing them, most remarkable visual differences occur in the body shape (4-lines tube vs. clean tube) and head compartment (bulky Groovy/better heat dissipation vs. thinner & cleaner Groovy). Yet the bright future of the shiny beast was in jeopardy on the very same day I’ve started to use it. The new “precious” soon developed one major issue: the spring switch inside the click button became very loose and pretty much malfunctioned. In real life the laser went on full time for me as it was stuck in such a position. Another smaller issue I managed to tweak myself was the G-2 lens in the focus adapter to carry out cleaner dot projection. SBA’s advise to contact mrcrouse was placed straight away, he as the original designer provided me (for a fraction of a charge, kudos to him!) with 2 extra spring switches within cca. next 2 weeks.
Only a brief technical information must be mentioned before the pic fun starts. I’d quote SBA himself here, actually taken from our last email exchange: “You're laser's specs are 450nm @ 2.3A and running at 3.1A stably.” What I can add (although not 100% prove) on top of it, is the following information:
9mm 445nm lens (DTR)
X-Boost driver (to be confirmed) set at 2.3A (DTR)
Running time of 2min on max/ 1min off min
Press-fit solid copper module
G-2 lens
2x18650 batteries
For the reference the LPM graph informs of the 3W peak the Groovy is capable of. As always, for solid and prolonged life a conservative 1min runtime is what I opt for during the lasing time.
). Just as a quick reminder for all of you’s, here’s the link that depicts the original design I personally fell in love the 1st time I’ve spotted it (among many others):http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/feeler-custom-2x18650-hosts-80235.html
Eventually, the attention of the new design line started to rise after the proper multimedia presentation:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/mrcrouse-s-custom-hosts-picture-heavy-84563.html
At that wild stage when I’d jumped pretty much onto any eye-catching 445nm power laser, not to mention how I prefer clean & simple design, add the shiny polished factor to it, I contacted mrcrouse, who kindly recommended bloompyle as a builder. However as he apologised to me not to be the one who composes the laser (personal life & other probably gas lasers elated projects), the final choice went to scumbagatheist. Back then I didn’t have a clue it would take more than 4 months to finally enjoy the Groovy with my naked eye. Long story short, SBA had to deal with serious private life situations, some of the members who were in touch with him might know. I respected it and let it run as it was, desire the fact money was paid end of August. After all he managed to steal some time for perhaps one of the last laser building jobs while he was active in the forums and managed to customise the laser to his best judgement just during the month of December 2013. I can describe our mutual email communication as friendly and open-minded as it only could be, no complaints whatsoever.
Finally the day of delivery in January has come…
…and the Groovy landed in its full glory. As an (currently already former) owner of the Zaser laser, I wasn’t much surprised by the size of the host. Dimensions are very similar when comparing them, most remarkable visual differences occur in the body shape (4-lines tube vs. clean tube) and head compartment (bulky Groovy/better heat dissipation vs. thinner & cleaner Groovy). Yet the bright future of the shiny beast was in jeopardy on the very same day I’ve started to use it. The new “precious” soon developed one major issue: the spring switch inside the click button became very loose and pretty much malfunctioned
. In real life the laser went on full time for me as it was stuck in such a position. Another smaller issue I managed to tweak myself was the G-2 lens in the focus adapter to carry out cleaner dot projection. SBA’s advise to contact mrcrouse was placed straight away, he as the original designer provided me (for a fraction of a charge, kudos to him!) with 2 extra spring switches within cca. next 2 weeks.Only a brief technical information must be mentioned before the pic fun starts. I’d quote SBA himself here, actually taken from our last email exchange: “You're laser's specs are 450nm @ 2.3A and running at 3.1A stably.” What I can add (although not 100% prove) on top of it, is the following information:
9mm 445nm lens (DTR)
X-Boost driver (to be confirmed) set at 2.3A (DTR)
Running time of 2min on max/ 1min off min
Press-fit solid copper module
G-2 lens
2x18650 batteries
For the reference the LPM graph informs of the 3W peak the Groovy is capable of. As always, for solid and prolonged life a conservative 1min runtime is what I opt for during the lasing time.
With the start of the February month, the Groovy finished its adventurous journey and his spell calling pushed me to progressively map the rocky road so that I could hit the finish line in about one month time later.
.Day & night with Mr. Groovy
To sum it up briefly, I had basically two ways to pass through the Groovy’s exposition. When I had time at the weekends, I dedicated some of it to inside still portrait & close-up photography of the host parts, macro stacked in Zerene software for clearer & cleaner final look. The outdoor sessions took place during the Paddy’s weekend, weather offered me a chance I could barely let go...
Enjoy:beer:
Portrait gallery
Shadowy Groovy.
Side front view (stack version).
Side back view (stack version).
Erected in February 2014:na:
Tilt your head left, please.
Disassembly shot.
Alternate disassembly view.
Macro walkthrough
Focus adapter front view.
Focus adapter rear view.
Resting focus adapter (someone reminds me of polishing the groove section a bit...)
Scratchy, with laser sharp claws inside.
Focus adapter with front copper module press-fitted in the host head section.
Click me, I command you!
A little crater in the clickie's edge...(I recognise my Groovy easy
).
Inside section of the clickie.
Focus on the spring...your eyes are heavier...and heavier
Groovy.
Gap between the head compartment and focus adapter of the Groovy. And a magical engineer's access point.
Connection screw-in line between the clickie and battery tube section.
Connection screw-in line between the head compartment and battery tube section.
...and the culprit. Spring switch that said farewell in the clickie (over-clicked to death:thinking
Beam me up, Groovy!
Up, I said!
Down is OK, too.
Way up (who scratched the bloody floor:thinking
Play time.
Cartoon alternative (freely inspired by Smeerworst:beer
Outdoor sessions
You're a star.
Skilled welder... or melter?
Razor shot.
In the grass.
There you are, under the tree.
Spread the beam shot.
Moon shot. (wuff, wuff... atta boy!)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/13358587955_eca0c16300_c.jpg
The mast shot.
Over the "riverlake".
Far is the town.
Blue star, full moon.
Must open the gate.
Horizon shot.
Epilogue
Let us not forget the members who where draught away from the laser hobby - while they were on the peak - to unexpected life events they have to deal with. Scumbagatheist is one of the many guys from the forums I could vouch for, despite the difficult times he had to face. This Groovy pic review is dedicated to his building talent, professional attitude towards the customer and at last his friendly spirit and strong will he showed (and hopefully still maintains as I type this). An apparent special thanks goes to mrcrouse, whose laser hosts have found many good homes in the recent times, surely I’m proud to be an owner of one of his design pieces.
…and thanks to all of you who read and browse this thread
For scumbagatheist & mrcrouse
…and thanks to all of you who read and browse this thread
Last edited:
