- Joined
- Nov 27, 2008
- Messages
- 863
- Points
- 18
First, allow me to say that the level of response and customer service from Rayfoss has been amazing! As many of you are aware of, I buy many (in some cases, WAY too many) different lasers and components for resale from various vendors, always looking for better service and higher quality vs price ratios, and rarely if ever have I been so impressed with a companies attention to communication. That said, I"ll get on with the review:
On the 23rd of June, I ordered (2) 150mW modules from Faona after several Email communications. The easiest way I have found to order from Rayfoss is to communicate your needs with Faona and have her send you a payment request via PayPal, and this order was done in this fashion without a hitch. The modules were shipped out on the 25th (after several interim Emails appraising me of their progress) and arrived here in the Midwest at 3PM on July second - 1 week front to back!
The packaging was good, a heavily padded envelope with a customs declaration as "gift" preprinted on the envelope (good thinking!) held a pair of modules in an anti-static bag wrapped in not 1, not 2, but 3 individual bubblewrap pouches - needless to say they arrived in pristine condition. Also included was an instruction sheet as well as a handwritten note from Faona explaining that they were redesigning the PCB's (drivers) and could also make any neccessary changes on future orders, and would I be kind enough to test both styles and inform them of the results for their own use. I was very impressed, the simple instruction sheets had a simple block wiring diagram and were easy to understand, and as stated, the modules were of identical overall size with slicht differences in the housings and the drivers (see photos below).
On to testing (Woo Hoo!) - I set up my trusty LaserBee I LPM along with my module holder, test leads, and freshly charged and tested CR123 battery... And fired up the first module - which climbed steadily to 95-96mW and stayed there for about a minute before dipping to 85mW and slowly climbing back to the same 96mW peak. After rechecking all connections, etc, I decided to put the module in a host and retest it (just in case there was a problem with the testing procedure) - 96mW, dip tp 92mW, 96mW.
The second module I decided to test in a host right from the start, so I went to put it in one of my trusty "Mini-RPL" hosts I use for testing modules, and found it wouldn't fit by a few thousandths. Afraid to pressfit it for fear of not being able to remove it, I went ahead and set it up on the test bench setup, Lightning-fast rise to 118mW, and only after a minute or so did it slide slowly back to 105mW, then rise back to 110mW-113mW, back and forth. Both tests were then repeated on the testbench with a 3.6v rechargeable, and the results were almost identical to within 7-10mW with module 1 hitting 102mW and module 2 hitting a peak of 124mW.
On to the beams - both were VERY nice, far nicer than almost any module I've tested for myself or others (including O-like and SXD, of which SXD have been my favorites so far) - When I get a chance tonight in the darkness after the show I will measure the beams and edit with divergence specs, but I can say at this point these put out REALLY nice, tight beams, and both have NO troubles with matches at a foot, none. The switches are solid feeling and have a more positive "click" than most, and overall with the exception of the power output, I really like the design of these modules.
NOW - onto the problem at hand, meaning the power issue. I Emailed Faona expecting to hear back tomorrow or possibly Monday (considering it's like 3AM in China) and had a reply within 15 minutes apologizing for the specs. I don't want to post the proposed resolution that Faona offered, but I will say it was incredibly simple and VERY generous, and I gladly accepted it - Again, this outfit is GOOD BUSINESS, in my opinion and based on my experiences.
Here's pix of the modules:
Overall, I was quite satisfied with this purchase after the power issue was resolved, and I will definitely use Rayfoss in the future (although possibly not for modules until Faona can assure me the powers will be confirmed prior to shipment). I heartily recomment this company, and I also am incredibly happy with the quality of the lasers, if not their output (again, these modules have the best beams I've seen in awhile from a Chinese supplier).
Just Added: I just recieved another apology Email from Faona, and the proposed resolution has been completed - WOW does this lady never sleep or what? Rayfoss has just removed the 150mW module from their site and will only restore them once she has either a testing method of her own or can get written confirmation of output on each module, she has explained - now THAT's pretty darn cool, IMHO. Also, there evidently is another LPF member awaiting one of these modules to test and she has assured me that in the event they have any troubles, she is already aware of the potential problem and is ready to work with them - pretty slick, Thanks Faona!
In conclusion, the quality of the Company and the Modules is a definitive "two thumbs up" - but at this time, the power output, while excellent, is not up to the rated specs. Once Rayfoss returns the 150mW module to their product lineup, I am confident that they will be an excellent product (and yes, I plan on testing another one when they're available!).
Any questions, feel free to post em!
On the 23rd of June, I ordered (2) 150mW modules from Faona after several Email communications. The easiest way I have found to order from Rayfoss is to communicate your needs with Faona and have her send you a payment request via PayPal, and this order was done in this fashion without a hitch. The modules were shipped out on the 25th (after several interim Emails appraising me of their progress) and arrived here in the Midwest at 3PM on July second - 1 week front to back!
The packaging was good, a heavily padded envelope with a customs declaration as "gift" preprinted on the envelope (good thinking!) held a pair of modules in an anti-static bag wrapped in not 1, not 2, but 3 individual bubblewrap pouches - needless to say they arrived in pristine condition. Also included was an instruction sheet as well as a handwritten note from Faona explaining that they were redesigning the PCB's (drivers) and could also make any neccessary changes on future orders, and would I be kind enough to test both styles and inform them of the results for their own use. I was very impressed, the simple instruction sheets had a simple block wiring diagram and were easy to understand, and as stated, the modules were of identical overall size with slicht differences in the housings and the drivers (see photos below).
On to testing (Woo Hoo!) - I set up my trusty LaserBee I LPM along with my module holder, test leads, and freshly charged and tested CR123 battery... And fired up the first module - which climbed steadily to 95-96mW and stayed there for about a minute before dipping to 85mW and slowly climbing back to the same 96mW peak. After rechecking all connections, etc, I decided to put the module in a host and retest it (just in case there was a problem with the testing procedure) - 96mW, dip tp 92mW, 96mW.
The second module I decided to test in a host right from the start, so I went to put it in one of my trusty "Mini-RPL" hosts I use for testing modules, and found it wouldn't fit by a few thousandths. Afraid to pressfit it for fear of not being able to remove it, I went ahead and set it up on the test bench setup, Lightning-fast rise to 118mW, and only after a minute or so did it slide slowly back to 105mW, then rise back to 110mW-113mW, back and forth. Both tests were then repeated on the testbench with a 3.6v rechargeable, and the results were almost identical to within 7-10mW with module 1 hitting 102mW and module 2 hitting a peak of 124mW.
On to the beams - both were VERY nice, far nicer than almost any module I've tested for myself or others (including O-like and SXD, of which SXD have been my favorites so far) - When I get a chance tonight in the darkness after the show I will measure the beams and edit with divergence specs, but I can say at this point these put out REALLY nice, tight beams, and both have NO troubles with matches at a foot, none. The switches are solid feeling and have a more positive "click" than most, and overall with the exception of the power output, I really like the design of these modules.
NOW - onto the problem at hand, meaning the power issue. I Emailed Faona expecting to hear back tomorrow or possibly Monday (considering it's like 3AM in China) and had a reply within 15 minutes apologizing for the specs. I don't want to post the proposed resolution that Faona offered, but I will say it was incredibly simple and VERY generous, and I gladly accepted it - Again, this outfit is GOOD BUSINESS, in my opinion and based on my experiences.
Here's pix of the modules:
Overall, I was quite satisfied with this purchase after the power issue was resolved, and I will definitely use Rayfoss in the future (although possibly not for modules until Faona can assure me the powers will be confirmed prior to shipment). I heartily recomment this company, and I also am incredibly happy with the quality of the lasers, if not their output (again, these modules have the best beams I've seen in awhile from a Chinese supplier).
Just Added: I just recieved another apology Email from Faona, and the proposed resolution has been completed - WOW does this lady never sleep or what? Rayfoss has just removed the 150mW module from their site and will only restore them once she has either a testing method of her own or can get written confirmation of output on each module, she has explained - now THAT's pretty darn cool, IMHO. Also, there evidently is another LPF member awaiting one of these modules to test and she has assured me that in the event they have any troubles, she is already aware of the potential problem and is ready to work with them - pretty slick, Thanks Faona!
In conclusion, the quality of the Company and the Modules is a definitive "two thumbs up" - but at this time, the power output, while excellent, is not up to the rated specs. Once Rayfoss returns the 150mW module to their product lineup, I am confident that they will be an excellent product (and yes, I plan on testing another one when they're available!).
Any questions, feel free to post em!
