Optotronics 150mW 523nm Arrived!! (Review)

[Arshus]

Ok so it came today to my workplace, Ordered on Friday 12/10/2010. Called Jack after I ordered to verify things and he answered himself and told me "No problem it will be shipped in 1 or 2 days". Jack Shipped it that monday, and it arrived on tuesday ($170.00 USD for the unit and Overnight shippied for $28.00).

Product Link: Optotronics Green Pen Pointers

Specs from Optotronics site:

Avg. Output Power 4.99mW 30mW ≥40mW ≥100mW
Size 160 mm x 13 mm diameter
Weight (gm) 58 64 64 70
IR filter Coatings block >96% of all IR
Wavelength 532nm
Laser diode power 250mW 500mW 500mW 1000mW
Laser diode lifetime 5,000 hours MTTF
Beam divergence <1.2 mrad
Beam Diameter (1/e2) <1.5 mm
M2Beam Quality <1.1
Duty cycle @ 21 °C 90/30 sec on/off 60/30 sec on/off
Operating temperature 15°C to 30°C
Switch Momentary push button
Power Source 2 AAA cells
Warranty 90 days​

It came in a Nice little penbox, no batteries, host looks brandnew and imacculate. Pretty heavy in the hand for a "Pen" laser. This later is rated at Max Output>150mW. Jacks documentation indicated its sustained at 158mw, slightly over spec. No peak info (at least until I get my meter).

I have it running on 2xAAA Duracell Alkaline batteries (brandnew, but about 2 years old expire march 2015), 1.5v output each. This laser doesnt burn paper, light matches, or feel even slightly warm on the skin, at any range, which I was a little surprised at, being rated at 150mW. It does appear brightly on buildings about 1/4 Mile away, which was cool lol. Beam clearly visible at night and "reaches the sky" (but not terribly bright), and visible inside in moderate to full light.

So I'll start with your basic beamshots in dark and moderate/full light pictures from my Iphone, no steam, smoke or fog:













and 2 short films: :yh:

View attachment 30860

View attachment 30861

So basically let me know what you guys think? You think its actually outputing at 150mW? I was under the impression that with 150mW you could burn stuff.:undecided: I may need to change to rechargeable AAA's. it might not be getting the proper juice. Any comments are appreciated.

Regards,

Sal

 

[Deleted member 10578]

Ok so it came today to my workplace, Ordered on Friday 12/10/2010. Called Jack after I ordered to verify things and he answered himself and told me "No problem it will be shipped in 1 or 2 days". Jack Shipped it that monday, and it arrived on tuesday ($170.00 USD for the unit and Overnight shippied for $28.00).

Product Link: Optotronics Green Pen Pointers

Specs from Optotronics site:

Avg. Output Power 4.99mW 30mW ≥40mW ≥100mW
Size 160 mm x 13 mm diameter
Weight (gm) 58 64 64 70
IR filter Coatings block >96% of all IR
Wavelength 532nm
Laser diode power 250mW 500mW 500mW 1000mW
Laser diode lifetime 5,000 hours MTTF
Beam divergence <1.2 mrad
Beam Diameter (1/e2) <1.5 mm
M2Beam Quality <1.1
Duty cycle @ 21 °C 90/30 sec on/off 60/30 sec on/off
Operating temperature 15°C to 30°C
Switch Momentary push button
Power Source 2 AAA cells
Warranty 90 days​

It came in a Nice little penbox, no batteries, host looks brandnew and imacculate. Pretty heavy in the hand for a "Pen" laser. This later is rated at Max Output>150mW. Jacks documentation indicated its sustained at 158mw, slightly over spec. No peak info (at least until I get my meter).

I have it running on 2xAAA Duracell Alkaline batteries (brandnew, but about 2 years old expire march 2015), 1.5v output each. This laser doesnt burn paper, light matches, or feel even slightly warm on the skin, at any range, which I was a little surprised at, being rated at 150mW. It does appear brightly on buildings about 1/4 Mile away, which was cool lol. Beam clearly visible at night and "reaches the sky" (but not terribly bright), and visible inside in moderate to full light.

So I'll start with your basic beamshots in dark and moderate/full light pictures from my Iphone, no steam, smoke or fog:

View attachment 30854

View attachment 30855

View attachment 30856

View attachment 30857

View attachment 30858

View attachment 30859

and 2 short films: :yh:

View attachment 30860

View attachment 30861

So basically let me know what you guys think? You think its actually outputing at 150mW? I was under the impression that with 150mW you could burn stuff.:undecided: I may need to change to rechargeable AAA's. it might not be getting the proper juice. Any comments are appreciated.

Regards,

Sal

Hi Sal,
the 150mw pointer will not burn paper. (but may smoke black colored paper, I'm not sure, I just test output power and don'[t spend time seeing what each will or will not burn, that's why I make no such claims, but my customers often do.
However it should pop red or black balloons from a short distance.
150 is at the borderline for lighting a red match from a close distance (less than 1 foot), it may or may not depending on variables such as humidity, local temperature and the freshness, dryness and chemical composition of the match itself. When you get up around 180-200mw, ,most red matches will light, but when it's around the borderline, other variables make a big difference.
Try black electrical tape, it should smoke and melt holes in black electrical tape from at least a foot or more distance.
If you still think there is a problem, I am will to test it again (I did personally test yours right before I packaged it), perhaps it got a bump in shipping but that it not common. If it doesn't measure up, I can then replace it with a new one. I have a new shipment due to arrive early next week and there is sure to be some that are in the 170's in that order.
ps. Use duracell or everready alkaline batteries, they will give you the best output power with the opto 150.
email or call me tomorrow and we'll arrange to get it back and check it out and replace with a more powerful one from our shipment due next week if needed.

 

[Arshus]

Thank you so much much for your response Jack . I'll shoot you an email.

-Sal

 

[madog]

I've never done business with Opto but they have a good rep here.

 

[Moebius]

Just want to add that I have the same laser and it makes a big difference when I put in freshly charged cells.
The beam seems brighter and lasts longer than when I use primaries.
Invest in a good charger, one that discharges the cells is a plus.
Also, these pens get much brighter when they're warm.
And it's worth mentioning that the case is well made, not like a cheap Newish style host, it's thicker and heavier.

 

[elite ares]

Just wanted to show a plot of my 532nm Optotronics 150mW pen output. It performs very well thank you!

Notice after 14 seconds it stays above 160mW until the 61 second mark where I turned it off. Peak power was 188mW. That is with bulk Energizers.

 

[Arshus]

Nice chart elite, I need to get myself an LPM.

Just got my replacement opto 150 that Jack sent me (it is a pleasure to deal with Optotronics). Its a beautiful laser. Its much brighter than the first and although I dont have a meter, according to the documentation, it performs at about 177mW. It burns large holes in electrical tape and has a duty cyle of about 45-60 seconds, after which it drops off in brightness.

I love it! Compared to my ebay 200mW, the opto has a thicker and much brighter beam. The ebay pointer has a very thin beam. The opto is much nicer for star pointing. It cant burn red matches but definately smokes them and makes them very hot lol.

Regards,

Sal

 

[elite ares]

Nice chart elite, I need to get myself an LPM.

Just got my replacement opto 150 that Jack sent me (it is a pleasure to deal with Optotronics). Its a beautiful laser. It burns large holes in electrical tape and has a duty cyle of about 45-60 seconds, after which it drops off in brightness.
It cant burn red matches but definately smokes them and makes them very hot lol.

Regards,

Sal

:thanks:

Check out this thread about a new LPM on the market:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/new-2-1-watt-lpm-out-59380.html

When I find quality products and service, I like to spread the word.

I think the power fluctuation is partly because of the AAA batteries, and heat build up in such a small host. Try placing a black spot on a match with a Sharpie.

 

[PhysX]

What about energizer lithium batteries? They are expensive at $3 a piece but they made a world difference in my DX "50mw" laser. I put those things in, put the laser on the heater for a few minutes, and bam. A pointer where the beam was invisible in dim light and unable to produce any heat becomes a bright green monster that can burn through electrical tape. Bad part is I only get about 10 minutes of fun, then the laser needs to go back on the heater

 

[Arshus]

Heater? is it very cold where you live? Never tried lithium, I was told alkaline was the best for the opto 150, whats the voltage output on your batteries?

 

[PhysX]

During this time of year it is. The house stays around 65, but my laser won't perform to the fullest unless it is heated to around 80-90 I would say.