Laserglow Vega->Severe divergence problem.

[Razako]

Just got my laserglow vega from the latest laserglow group buy by scopeguy20. The package had plenty of cushioning+the vega was well protected in its hard case. I took it out and put the batteries/dongle/key into it and then turned it on. I immediately noticed that the dot seemed rather large. It doesn't seem to be having mode shifting problems and the output seems to be stable. The divergence is just completely messed up.

I can only think that it somehow got knocked out of focus during shipping.....
Anyone have any ideas/know what I should do? Should I try it when it is really cold/warm? Send it back? Can I take it apart and refocus it myself?

Here are some pics.
At short distance. Vega /5mw green/5mw red

At around 25 feet. Vega /5mw green/5mw red

 

[drlava]

The dot shape is nice, but it's definitely got collimation adjustment issues. Like they fogot to adjust it. Warranty repair is in order

 

[Razako]

I'm not sure what happened... scopeguy20 actually tested this laser out himself before sending it to me. It was a free upgrade from a vega5 because those were out of stock.

I inspected the box for any large dents or other signs of damage and couldn't find anything suggesting that the laser took a hard hit. Only 1 small gouge in the cardboard.
The only odd thing about the laser is the lens shutter. The shutter on my aries moves really easily and smoothly. The shutter on the vega has a "scratchy" uneasy feel to it. The lens itself is fine. The first thing I did was inspect it for dust/scratches.

 

[CL_]

how many mw is it? it looks very bright , man, i want a yellow

 

[darklandz]

send it back im sure LG will replace it with a nice up-to spec unit.
i really wanted a vega10 too but now with the price increase it may have to wait a little longer.

 

[Razako]

send it back im sure LG will replace it with a nice up-to spec unit.
i really wanted a vega10 too but now with the price increase it may have to wait a little longer.

wow vega-10s have gone up to $1199.00. That's as much as a blue rpl30. I wonder why the price increased by $500 over a couple of weeks :-?
The currently unavailable Rigels have gone up to $600........

 

[Curiously_Coherent]

Man you do have a nice dot there. Below is a shot of my Vega5 at 25' with my hand as a size reference. I've always had those "wings" on mine since day one. This Vega replaced the first one I bought so I'm hesitant to bring this one back as well. I'm thinking that these are hard to make perfect, so if you've got a nice round dot like that, at least you can fix it with some lenses. (Check the Optics section)

I wouldn't return it myself. You've got a good one.

CC

 

[Razako]

Man you do have a nice dot there. Below is a shot of my Vega5 at 25' with my hand as a size reference. I've always had those "wings" on mine since day one. This Vega replaced the first one I bought so I'm hesitant to bring this one back as well. I'm thinking that these are hard to make perfect, so if you've got a nice round dot like that, at least you can fix it with some lenses. (Check the Optics section)

I wouldn't return it myself. You've got a good one.

CC

I'm not sure if this is a stupid idea or not. Could I tear the focusable lens out of my dead dx 70mw red module and use it to refocus the beam on my vega? I don't need it to be perfect and just about anything would be an improvement over the current divergence. This vega was a free upgrade from a vega-5 (basically it is a slightly underpowered vega-10 that appears to put out around 7-8mw) because those were out of stock and it does have a perfect tem00 dot so I would really like to save it if at all possible.

 

[pseudonomen137]

Razako, what country are you in? If you dont want to send it to LG for replacement, I may be able to repair it for you for a "reasonable?" fee.

 

[Razako]

Tried a variety of lenses and nothing is even slightly successful at fixing this. I'll try pming justin and see what he says.
Btw I'm in the USA so shipping it to Canada to be repaired or replaced isn't something that I'm looking forward to.

 

[supernova]

Well maybe not the fastest method, but I am sure they would work with you on freight, and If you ask, I bet a warranty extension could be provided.

Just my 2 cents

SN

 

[scopeguy20]

Hey Razako! I am so sorry about your laser's focus problem. I will give you this insight though, I do believe the problem is that it is slipped out of focus, and can (by lG be easily re-adjusted). I have seen issues with about 10% of the lasers I have owned or handeled, and the % is worse from other than Laserglow vendors in my experience so far, but these devices are often prone to various adjustment issues by nature apparently. At least you don't have the delay and even higher costs of sending it to China! And given the new cost increases, you are sure to get as much or more than your cost, if you decide to sell the unit to me or others! remember, if it's too much for you to deal with I call Dibbs! -Glenn

 

[Razako]

Hey Razako! I am so sorry about your laser's focus problem. I will give you this insight though, I do believe the problem is that it is slipped out of focus, and can (by lG be easily re-adjusted). I have seen issues with about 10% of the lasers I have owned or handeled, and the % is worse from other than Laserglow vendors in my experience so far, but these devices are often prone to various adjustment issues by nature apparently. At least you don't have the delay and even higher costs of sending it to China! And given the new cost increases, you are sure to get as much or more than your cost, if you decide to sell the unit to me or others! remember, if it's too much for you to deal with I call Dibbs! -Glenn

I understand what you are talking about with the focus. Before my dx 70mw red died it would have this problem if the focus was even a turn off. Unfortunately I can't just open this laser up and refocus it. I am 90% sure that the vibrations from shipping must have caused the lens move out of perfect focus. Seems like there should of been some glue or something holding it in place though.

Here is a youtube showing the problem in detail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6aKCNSe1x8

 

[scopeguy20]

Is that your laser on youtube Razako?
btw, if it takes a day+ to get LG to responde, use the link below, I feel it gets the faster responce from Justin and the last number is (I believe) the one they ask for(4 digit) the "C" is probably as it was one of three delivery addresses of the same GB.
Tracking Number: CE516213894CA
Order Number: D020173478
Reference Number: 7899C
Anything I can do to help, just ask!
http://www.laserglow.com/index.php?contact

 

[Razako]

Is that your laser on youtube Razako?
btw, if it takes a day+ to get LG to responde, use the link below, I feel it gets the faster responce from Justin and the last number is (I believe) the one they ask for(4 digit) the "C" is probably as it was one of three delivery addresses of the same GB.
Tracking Number: CE516213894CA
Order Number: D020173478
Reference Number: 7899C
Anything I can do to help, just ask!
http://www.laserglow.com/index.php?contact

Yes that's a video of this laser. The dot is close to the size of a silver dollar from 30 feet away. In comparison the dot from all of my other lasers is less than the size of a penny at that range.

 

[Justin]

Razako,

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the Vega. I tested this one myself before shipping, so I know it wasn't like this when we shipped it. It is possible that the lens plate on the collimator has come loose during shipping and the lens is now misaligned. It is possible to fix this on your own by removing the heat sink portion of the laser and threading the lens plate in until it is properly focused, or if you like you can get an RA and send it back to us so we can do the repair.

Either way, please contact me at work so we can correspond over email rather than the forum: jhosaki@laserglow.com

And, to everyone else: The price on yellow lasers and components has increased quite a bit recently, and we didn't want to do this but it is unavoidable. CNI has had serious problems with the manufacturing process and as a result they have raised their prices significantly, so there's not much else we can do.