Really don't want to go to Wicked for this...

[InvertedCdubz]

[quote author=InvertedCdubz link=1207954651/0#13 date=1207963878][quote author=apex007 link=1207954651/0#5 date=1207956369]The Pulsar is steeply priced for what it is. BUT I can tell you that in the two years I've owned my Pulsar 100, I've certainly gotten my money's worth. No regrets here. Of course, back then there weren't any other options for a powerful red than Wicked.

I understand that for the prices Wicked isn't a great choice, but they are also known to have quality products as well but they are just overpriced. Since they have one of the only high powered red pointers I am willing to pay the high price for it, I just wish I didn't have to...  :  But I am worried about posted outputs and actual outputs of these devices.  Anyone have a Pulsar that they have had tested?[/quote]
They are anything but high quality! They send out bad units, and their pulsar doesn't even have a driver! It will break if you give it lithium AAA batteries![/quote]
Well I'm sorry but I just haven't heard many stories of this happening, and I'm not dumb enough to put in the wrong batteries so other than that what's wrong with not having a driver?

 

[chido]

The diode is connected directly to the batteries, it can die and it will not last too long.

 

[InvertedCdubz]

Okay so don't buy the Pulsar... I mean I want it to last and if I can make my own relatively the same, size/power wise then I may as well buy the $27 Pre-Installed sony burner diode in an aixiz module, find a nice body and go to work from there?

 

[chido]

Look at my post here.

 

[GooeyGus]

I would really really really really consider the red 200mW from Dealextreme. For the price it cant be beat, which usually means its a shitty quality laser, but this thing actually lives up to the hype. Yes DX does send out shitty greens, but they are really great about replacing or refunding if you are not satisfied for any reason at all. I've had nothing but bad luck with DX greens, but my red 200 is awesome. If you want to impress at parties without burning, you really dont need a red. The greens are so much more impressive to look at that no one really gives a crap about the red until they see it start to burn the hell out of something

 

[Switch]

Let's see....you can buy 4 DX200s for less than one Pulsar 125 and you're pretty much guaranteed to get at least one good working red laser that outputs MORE than 125mW.It doesn't look as nice, but it has a constant on switch and it's FOCUSABLE(which is a huge advantage.....who wants to hold a lens in front of their laser all the time?).You can use 2 rechargeable lithium CR2 batteries which will probably give you more lifetime than the AAAs the pulsar uses.If you want rechargeables with your Pulsar you would have to use NiMHs as anything else will burn it, and those are 1.4V MAX and there's probably no chance you'll get the advertised output.Furthermore, no current regulation driver means that every time you turn on your laser it will be dimmer than it was before until it's below treshold or you change your batteries.
So let's see...

Dx200 Advantages:
Focusable
Has a driver
Constant on switch
Better batteries
MORE POWER(you'll always regret not getting more power)
Cheaper

Pulsar advantages:
looks nice
probably ships faster

The Dx200 over the Pulsar, it's really a no-brainer IMO :

 

[apex007]

The diode is connected directly to the batteries, it can die and it will not last too long.

You say this based on what? Do you own a pulsar?

I've owned a Pulsar for two years, use it virtually every day, and have had zero problems.

Does it have a driver? No Does it need one? No

It burns tape, lights matches and pops balloons. Plenty of power, perfectly reliable.

Here's a video that I made popping a balloon from about 10' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_YYpk1K3mY

 

[apex007]

I'm not here to get involved with another Wicked vs. everyone-else discussion. Just pointing out that I've had a lot of fun with my Pulsar and that after a very long time (need I say it again? TWO YEARS) it's working as well as day one. I spent around $200 back then and it was worth every penny.

And my laser doesn't look like a dildo ;D

 

[chido]

Dude, I have heard way too many bad stories about wicked lasers.
A lot of people have taken pulsars apart and have found that it's just a laser diode placed in an aixiz housing connected directly to the batteries. Some pulsars last long and others don't, it depends on the diode.
Why on earth would you want to spend 250 bucks on an underpowered laser that may die after 30 minutes of use? :-?

Look around the forum, there are tons of stories that prove WL is a CRAP company.

 

[Ace82]

Start a pole: Pulsar VS Dilda ;D

 

[Razako]

Is it really that hard for wicked to add a capacitor and resistor into the pulsars? It would cost less than $1 per pulsar and make them much better.....

 

[Switch]

[quote author=chido link=1207954651/15#17 date=1207966085]The diode is connected directly to the batteries, it can die and it will not last too long.

Does it have a driver? No Does it need one? No
[/quote]

And because of this, like I said in my other post, each time you turn it on it's dimmer and dimmer.So yes, it could use a driver.It would be better with a driver.
A 125mW diode, a push button, and a lens all packed in a shiny housing is doesn't cost nowhere near $249 plain and simple.The finished product: a shiny 125mW laser is not worth $249 plain and simple, it's a ridiculous rip-off even if it really is 125mW and lasts 5000 hours like "expected".But if you're gonna pay nearly 5 times more and pick looks over power, functionality and battery life go ahead. :

Is it really that hard for wicked to add a capacitor and resistor into the pulsars? It would cost less than $1 per pulsar and make them much better.....

Does it really need to get even better than it already is?

The Pulsar[ch8482] Series red lasers offer amazing power at a very low price and in a stealth package. Powered by only 2 AAA batteries, the Pulsar is 25 times more powerful than the most powerful laser pointer you can buy at any store. The red laser beam is not as visible as a green laser beam due to the eye's peak sensitivity at 555nm; however, the power output and burning capabilities are identical to green laser pointers. The Pulsar[ch8482] is a favorite among laser enthusiasts, scientists, and astronomers.

 

[bob12345]

It doesn't really matter now that you can get about 5 lasers from DX with twice the power and far better construction for the same price.

 

[apex007]

It doesn't really matter now that you can get about 5 lasers from DX with twice the power and far better construction for the same price.

And if that was the case two years ago I would have chosen DX too.

 

[Cyparagon]

Hey guys, I'm not very new to the laser scene but I have been away for a few years. I'm currently buying an Optotronics 30mW green pointer until I get some more money, which i'm buying an X-100 from Nova. Are there any problems with these models I should be worried about? Will I be pleased?

Nova lasers are notoriously bad at refraining from balloonicide, and will leave your electrical tape supply in shreds. They're also far too bright and don't mix well with match heads. Definitely a bad choice.

 

[Entity]

If you have enough money for a pulsar, why not buy a p125 and spend an extra 50 bucks to get the dx 200mW red as well. That way, you will get the pulsar right away with wicked's fast shipping. It will hold you off until you get the dilda laser. But who knows which one you will like better. You should do a comparison review.