I've noticed that several of the most popular laser companies have certain advantages in the market (and some have disadvantages, too):
Wicked Lasers
Specific advantages:
1. most popular laser company
2. frequent and innovative contests
3. currently the only company to sell high-powered pen-style red lasers
4. currently the only company to sell portable 405 nm lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. high prices
2. quality problems, including serious cosmetic issues
3. dishonest
Comments: Wicked Lasers was once one of the most respected laser companies, but many customers lost respect for Wicked after learning of its dishonest marketing practices. Wicked also lost many customers when they learned of its quality issues. For example, many of Wicked's lasers are underpowered and have mode issues. Wicked also uses cheap paint, which falls off the lasers and cases very easily.
Optotronics
Specific advantages:
1. has among the lowest prices
2. has the longest lifetimes (80,000 hours)
Specific disadvantages:
1. double beam issue
2. inaccurate labels
Comments: Optotronics has among the lowest prices, and its products are known to be very reliable. The only issue is the double-beam problem. It is said that many DPSS lasers have double beams, and it's commonly accepted that this isn't a major problem, as the laser still works properly. However, nobody knows for sure whether the second beam will cause damage in the long run. Also, Optotronics' labels are a bit inaccurate (they do not show output and wavelength), but this is a very small problem.
LaserGlow
Specific advantages:
1. has portable lasers of the highest output
2. voted to be the best company on LPF
3. only company to offer a high-powered 635 nm laser
4. only trustable company to offer portable red lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. lasers are larger and bulkier
NOVALasers
Specific advantages:
1. appears to have the best specs
2. only company to offer reliable high-powered pen-style green lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. currently only sells green lasers
Obviously, each of these companies have their advantages and disadvantages. Do you think a company will soon have all of theses advantages and none of the disadvantages? Perhaps companies should start offering DPSS 671 nm lasers. They are more expensive, but have far better beam qualities. Any company that makes portable DPSS 671 nm lasers would be just awesome.
Wicked Lasers
Specific advantages:
1. most popular laser company
2. frequent and innovative contests
3. currently the only company to sell high-powered pen-style red lasers
4. currently the only company to sell portable 405 nm lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. high prices
2. quality problems, including serious cosmetic issues
3. dishonest
Comments: Wicked Lasers was once one of the most respected laser companies, but many customers lost respect for Wicked after learning of its dishonest marketing practices. Wicked also lost many customers when they learned of its quality issues. For example, many of Wicked's lasers are underpowered and have mode issues. Wicked also uses cheap paint, which falls off the lasers and cases very easily.
Optotronics
Specific advantages:
1. has among the lowest prices
2. has the longest lifetimes (80,000 hours)
Specific disadvantages:
1. double beam issue
2. inaccurate labels
Comments: Optotronics has among the lowest prices, and its products are known to be very reliable. The only issue is the double-beam problem. It is said that many DPSS lasers have double beams, and it's commonly accepted that this isn't a major problem, as the laser still works properly. However, nobody knows for sure whether the second beam will cause damage in the long run. Also, Optotronics' labels are a bit inaccurate (they do not show output and wavelength), but this is a very small problem.
LaserGlow
Specific advantages:
1. has portable lasers of the highest output
2. voted to be the best company on LPF
3. only company to offer a high-powered 635 nm laser
4. only trustable company to offer portable red lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. lasers are larger and bulkier
NOVALasers
Specific advantages:
1. appears to have the best specs
2. only company to offer reliable high-powered pen-style green lasers
Specific disadvantages:
1. currently only sells green lasers
Obviously, each of these companies have their advantages and disadvantages. Do you think a company will soon have all of theses advantages and none of the disadvantages? Perhaps companies should start offering DPSS 671 nm lasers. They are more expensive, but have far better beam qualities. Any company that makes portable DPSS 671 nm lasers would be just awesome.
