Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85 !!!

[SenKat]

Watch this space for a review of their X-series lasers and an assortment of optics !  I will be filling out this post this evening most likely with LOTS of info, and impressions !  Here's their web info so you can get a preview of what they offer : http://www.novalasers.com

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

To start out, my initial impression was, WOW they sure shipped this stuff FAST ! The packaging was very sturdy, and they used perfect techniques to ensure that the items inside were not damaged in transit. This review will be completely centered around their X-85 Laser, a 532nm rated at 85mw that retails for $219.00 US. These lasers are individually tested by the manufacturer prior to shipment to Nova Lasers. They then take each laser and perform initial testing using a Gentec Solo PE Graphing Laser Power and Energy Meter to determine the classification under which they will be sold. Here is information from Nova Lasers regarding their testing procedures for product classification :

X-Series and Alpha Series are tested as follows: 3 consecutive 20 second tests are graphed and the average output power tabulated. The median of the three average output power readings is selected as the output power rating. - so we basically test these for 1 minute straight. We do not test these lasers for a longer period of time consecutively due to their design.


Just prior to shipment, after the laser is sold, they perform one more QA check, using an Edmund Optics Laser Check Power Meter.

The box that it was shipped in had a sticker on the outside of it with the peak output power, the average output power, and the serial number of the laser. Below is a picture of the box, and the case that comes with each X series laser:

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Here is a shot of the inside of that SWEET looking case, which secures shut with the rotation of the lever on front, with the laser in its' cut out. The inside of the case is cut out to allow the laser to fit well cushioned, with cutouts for the laser itself, an extra set of batteries, lenses, and accessories which include a lense holder. Please note, the green dot in the top right was the sticker that was covering the aperature of the laser - more about that in a bit :

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

The X-85 comes without batteries, and an aperature sticker over the aperature to prevent any debris from entering the aperature during shipping, and handling. The sticker has a spot in the center - that part is not sticky, so there is no chance of you getting the sticky stuff down inside your aperature !
The laser itself, handles like many pen style lasers, heavy, but light weight enough in the hands to provide lots of fun times with it. The button on these lasers is a momentary on/off button with a rubber outside that you depress to activate it.

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

The safety features of this laser are fairly standard with most of the pen variety - an aperature laser emissions warning sticker. The X series of lasers can be taken one step further, as Nova Lasers does provide a tailcap safety key-lock as an option for $14.99 ! This is the first time I have seen a pen-style laser that has that degree of safety as an option.

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

The beam quality of the X-85 was observed to be excellent. This shot was taken from 6 feet away - the beam is terminating on my garage door.

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Here is a shot of it at the aperature (sorry it appears a little fuzzy) :

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Both of the preceding pictures were taken at 8:30pm CST - LOTS of daylight still outside - I have a 100Watt incandescent (clear bulb) light in the garage shining overhead as well. You can clearly see the beam from within mildly shaded areas, at dusk, and again at dark - the beam jumps out at you, VERY bright ! I will add on to this review with power measurements, more pictures, and with the beam statistics. Stay tuned !

 

[lazerlover]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

I'm very interested in this laser now, once I get it a green it will either be x series 125 or the viper 125mw. When you get a chance please upload some vids of it's burning power.

this is a CNI case correct???

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Yes, it is a CNI....

 

[timelord]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

What about the popping and burning abilities i'm sure most here need this info to keep their destructive minds happy ;D ;D ;D
Nice review too Greg

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Thanks, Lee ! Yeah - I am going to be posting more info tonight....ran outta time yesterday !

 

[Tallaxo]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Nice Laser and Nice review.



Jase

 

[timelord]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Thanks, Lee ! Yeah - I am going to be posting more info tonight....ran outta time yesterday !

I'll look forward to that mate

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Output power update, and beam specs !!

    For the beam specs to make sense - you really need to look at Psuedo's divergence calculater located here : LINK.  If you use this divergence calculater, it allows for an average Mrad divergence measurement with using a specific set of known constants (the distance).  I measured the divergence of this laser at both 100 feet, and 200 feet.  As I do not have any more sophisticated ways of measuring the divergence, I went by my house's survey - and the distances quoted on it were where I got the 200 feet, and 100 feet measurements.  I went back to verify, and using my handy-dandy measuring tape - it is exactly dead on accurate !  So - if you have that divergence window open,  and you plug in the following measurements - at 200 feet, the beam diameter was 2.25 inches, and at 100 feet, the beam diameter was exactly 1.125 inches - it came in at .938Mrad for divergence, which is better than what Nova Lasers states - an average of <1.2Mrad !!!
    I ran MANY output power tests with the Nova Lasers X-85 and my readings were a tiny bit different from the readings they posted on the carton that it came in.  Now keep in mind that they measure the output power level TWICE prior to shipment, which in fact is an excellent method of Quality Assurance.  I measured the output level over a period of fifteen minutes - following the recommended duty cycle of 100sec on, and 10sec off - the total time measured was 16.66667 minutes !

My readings were this - the laser NEVER dropped below 94.2mw !!!
My readings for PEAK output power were : 109.04mw
The average output power level for this laser reads as 98.63mw !!!

The readings on the carton were : PEAK output power - 100.7mw
    AVG. output power -  90.5mw

    So - my LPM-1 laser power meter agreed with their findings mostly, although I tested the output a little bit more strenuously than they did - they take an average reading over a two minute test period (also following the recommended duty cycle).  Now...WHY was this laser not classified at a higher power level, and then sold as that, and increasing their profit ?  Well, I cannot answer that, but I do know that their next level of classification for the X-series lasers is 105mw !!! I can safely state that they do not want to OVER-classify a laser, and they would rather sell the laser at a lower power level, so you get more than what you expect.  The average end user will not have a laser power meter - although most of the folks on here are NOT average users !  
    In this series of beam shots - it is 12pm CST, with my garage door closed, for darkness to show off the beam at its best - although the beam of this laser CAN be seen in an inside environment, with normal lighting my camera just does not do a great job of capturing that ! (It could NOT be the photographer, now could it ?  )

 

[SenKat]

Re: Nova Lasers Product Review !!!! X-Series X-85

Here's a few videos as well :
http://stonetek.org/Nova_Lasers/Laser_safety.wmv - Video 1 - Short Safety Lecture (My daughter INSISTED)
http://stonetek.org/Nova_Lasers/x_85_tape.wmv - Video 2 - Short Tape Cutting Demo
http://stonetek.org/Nova_Lasers/x_85_match.wmv - Video 3 - Lighting Matches !

    In summary, I can only say that this laser is worth the purchase price, especially if every laser sold fits into this same quality range.  
    Well done, Nova Lasers - you have convinced me to be a customer, that is for certain !

NEXT UP - Nova Lasers' Optics and accessories review.....new thread, coming today !