Kenometer - AdamR's mini-review and testing

[AdamR]

My long awaited Kenometer arrived today, and couldn't wait too long to get started with it

Photo set on Flickr for tl;dr users

I'm sure you're all aware of what the Kenometer is and what it's made of. It's about the size of a computer PSU:

It takes the same kind of cable as your computer PSU/monitor too. 110-240V @ 50/60Hz accepted, so no transformer required.

When you turn it on, first you select the range of the display according to what the laser you're measuring is rated at.

• 0.2 maxes out at 200mW, but gives you 1 decimal place allowing precise measurement of low power lasers
• 2 maxes out at 2W, also changing the output unit to watts so the decimal point is moved across accordingly -- still allows you to measure low power lasers if you like
• 10 maxes out at 10W, also changing the output unit to watts so the decimal point is moved across accordingly -- as there are only 2 digits left to show mW, lasers under <100mW can't really be measured on this setting

You then need to turn 'zero' until the display roughly reads zero. It will constantly fluctuate around zero anyway, especially on the 0.2 range setting.

Once you've done that, you're ready to go just point your laser anywhere on the centre black circle. You don't have to focus your laser, and actually shouldn't as you may damage the head (mainly for very high power lasers).



Here are the lasers I will be trying out.

From left to right:

• 1mW laser pointer on a pen
• 1mW laser pointer on a 3-in-1 torch
• 100mW max rated green laser pointer (cheap eBay crap)
• 250mW max rated red laser pointer (leadlight) - built by andy_con
• 200mW max rated violet laser pointer (leadlight) - built by andy_con
• 200mW max rated violet laser pointer (pocket mini) - built by Daguin
• 400mW max rated green laser pointer (DL Hulk Ultra) - DragonLasers

Unfortunately some of them have batteries with little charge, as my 18650/RCR123a charger is out of action. Waiting for a new one to arrive



1mW laser pointer on a pen
I'm not expecting much from this.

1mW laser pointer on a 3-in-1 torch
This one barely even registered on the meter, just flickered around zero.

100mW max rated green laser pointer (cheap eBay crap)
Wasn't expecting more than 10mW from this to be honest. It was only $20. It's just some badly modified one anyway.

250mW max rated red laser pointer (leadlight)
This one is using two 1.2v NiMH and a plastic lens.

Oh yeah, it shows just a 1 if you have exceeded the limit on the selected range. You can just flick up to the next one though.

Perhaps I could get more power if I used 1.5v alkaline batteries and a glass lens instead.



200mW max rated violet laser pointer (leadlight)
This one is using two 1.5v alkaline batteries and Jayrob's glass lens.

I briefly saw this around the 225mW mark. However most likely due to alkaline batteries having so little capacity, the power soon dropped...

...to 130mW the thing wasn't even hot.



200mW max rated violet laser pointer (pocket mini)
Not really sure how charged this RCR123A battery is, but it appears that it's able to produce the rated 200mW output. This is using Jayrob's glass lens, so perhaps I'll get more if I charge the battery more.

The 2 is faint for 200 as the photo was taken right when the output changed from 199 to 205.



400mW max rated green laser pointer (DL Hulk Ultra)
Again, the 1 protected 18650 has barely any charge left. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to leave DPSS lasers on for a few minutes too before they reach their true power?

In conclusion, I'm very pleased with this Kenometer. It's a nice set of high quality components assembled for you in a neat box. I highly recommend purchasing if you can get your hands on one of these rare master-crafted tools.

There was a slight issue when I got it -- some of the glue for the sensor head shattered most likely due to shoddy handling from shoddy postal companies, so the laser head wasn't attached to the case. I really don't think this would be Kenom's fault though, and a little super-glue put it right back anyway. Nothing damaged ^_^

 

[Deleted member 8382]

A masterpiece, as always

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Not for nothing but it looks like a kid made that case.

 

[Kenom]

Not for nothing but it looks like a kid made that case.

Why do you say that? I drilled the hole a little of center for the thermopile and told adam about it, so he was prepared for a not so nice lookin hole. I also asked him if he wanted me to hand draw some labeling and he said yes.

 

[Tech_Junkie]

It looks like you burned the hole out. Did you use a hole saw? Also they have vinyl letters you can buy at any craft store that would look awesome.

 

[AdamR]

I don't care how it looks tbh -- I care more about how well it works.