JET LASERS 532nm PL-D 500

[CDHDC]

Hello, all. I just received a Jet Lasers 532nm PL-D 500. This won't be much of a review, as I haven't had a whole lot of time to play with it, nor do I currently own a LPM. However, I did want to share with you a few pics and my first impressions.

First off, I was a little concerned when the package was delivered. It showed up wrapped in bright yellow and red "security checked" tape. I was a little nervous that I would open it up and find a mess. After cutting through the many layers of tape, I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. All was well. I'm actually a little surprised this was not confiscated by customs:thinking:

My first impressions of the host are good. Nice size and weight, for my taste anyway It's a tad larger than Jet Lasers PL-C and also the Arctic. I've included some pics for comparison. The finish is nice and smooth with an almost silky/rubbery feel, which I like.

Next, I inserted an 18650 (case positive) into the host and screwed on the tail cap. The threads on the tail cap and focusing mechanism are nice and smooth with no jittering or burrs.

Finally, I turned it on. This laser has Jet Lasers new "Super Switch", which can be a little tricky at first. But, once you have the timing down, it's not too bad. It has 3 power settings. Low, Medium and High. All of which can be toggled between CW and strobe.

I have yet to measure divergence, but it seems decent. This measurement and actual LPM'd output to be added soon.

Thanks for reading and putting up with my poor writing skills and subpar photography skills in my first half ass attempt at a review

***EDIT*** I've neglected to mention a couple of changes that were pointed out to me by a good member, here. First, the elimination of the spring in the tail cap that was on the previous "PL-C" model. This is a positive thing, in that they were only "pressed in", and had the possibility of falling out. Next, is the elimination of the "dust shutter" on aperature. This is something that I miss, as now you have to "plug" the hole, when not in use, to keep debris out. Reincorporating this and making the code sequence a little more user friendly would earn this model a "top notch" in my book.

*ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE LASER GLASSES, APPROPRIATELY RATED FOR THE PARTICULAR LASER YOU ARE USING. BE CAUTIOUS OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND NEVER AIM YOUR LASER AT AIRCRAFT, HUMANS OR ANIMALS*

 

[blakegriffin]

WOW that is a nice host. :drool: That 3 modes would be good for a 1 watt blue which I am pretty sure they sell in that host.

 

[CDHDC]

Here's a few more pictures. I'm still playing with the settings on the only camera I have

 

[rocket689]

I got to play with the 532, 445 and 635 versions of this host at SELEM this past weekend.

I agree, nice host. Great review, bud! :beer:

 

[hakzaw1]

^^^^ IIRC you were the one who got the switch right away.

The 'inspected' Tape you see on DHL items from JETLASERS is put on there at DHL China by them before the package is sealed up and so far US Customs has felt no need to re-open all of mine. Gray may make them look like they do on the outside for a reason. Whatever is seems to work and work fast too. China to my doorstep in TX in less than 72hrs!


Great review CHDHC--do you thing that JETL needs to make the switch easier? I am taking a non-scientific poll.

 

[rocket689]

^^^^ IIRC you were the one who got the switch right away.

The 'inspected' Tape you see on DHL items from JETLASERS is put on there at DHL China by them before the package is sealed up and so far US Customs has felt no need to re-open all of mine. Gray may make them look like they do on the outside for a reason. Whatever is seems to work and work fast too. China to my doorstep in TX in less than 72hrs!


Great review CHDHC--do you thing that JETL needs to make the switch easier? I am taking a non-scientific poll.

In response to your "poll", I do think they should make the switch easier. I actually like my arctic's "smart switch" better.
The arctic seems to accept the code even if you are a little sloppy. The JetL requires you to do it perfectly.

I do, however, like the fact that the JetLasers hibernates after being unlocked.

 

[CDHDC]

^^^^^ I agree with rocket. W/L's switch is a little easier to use, but I like the location of Jet Lasers, better. I would definately, NOT complain if it was made a little easier to use. At least with the J/L I don't have to worry about any unauthorized use. Lol

 

[JETLASERS]

Hey Corbin, thanks for this nice review and pics you posted. You're right. PL-D is a bit longer than PL-C while it's a better step to remove the spring in the tailcap since it used to fall out often or get lost and caused some failures or shipping-backs.

I also agree with Rocket on the switch function. Now jetlasers seems to add a Mode switch(the above one) only for cycing CW to Pulse/strobe. Turning the laser on becomes kinda difficult unless the "hold" or "click" of the buttons are operated accurately. Thanks to Hak's help, it seems more guys here get to know how to use it.

The "poll" started by Hak will speak a lot and we think of leaving out the short-holds and only leave a single long hold to turn the laser on. To access the max output of beam straightforwardly, the 100% level might be put in priority.

 

[hakzaw1]

Thanks for the update Gray- Most here at LPF are pretty creative and I am sure many will come up with a good slip-on cap to take the place of the shutter.
I just made a prototype that is also a diffraction grating attachment. Working on getting enough for all the PL-D users.(hint send hak some more diff. gratings--lol)

But ALL be warned that a paper sticky 'happy face' can get very hot very fast and may not be a good choice. It can happen faster than you can turn the laser off if its still inplace when putting in the code.

hak

 

[Blord]

Don't necro post if you have nothing positive to contribute. :tsk:

You asking all kind of questions about Jetlasers but if you do a search you have found this,
http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/jetlasers-gb-7-now-ongoing-lqqk-70494.html