Review of the Mystery Red Keychain Laser Pointer

[The_LED_Museum]

Mystery Red Keychain Laser Pointer, retail $TBA
Manufactured by (Unknown)
Last updated 11-30-11

What this is is a keychain laser pointer. It emits a red beam (measured spectrographically at 656.08nm) with a measured output power of 2.09mW, and it includes the two button cells that it feeds from. It comes in a handsome chrome-finish body with gold-colored bezel and tailcap.

It is different from most other cheap keychain lasers primarily because it looks very well-made and secondarily because it uses two button cells for power instead of the three that you would normally find in these things.

It fits on your keychain with either the split-ring or the spring-loaded "lobster claw" attachment, so you can carry it anywhere. And it feeds from two LR44 button cells.

Because this is a laser, you should not shine it into your eyes, other people's eyes, pet's eyes, etc. Just use a little common sense here, ok?

SIZE

To use your new laser pointer, feed it first (see below), and then you'll be ready to drive the kitty cat bats**t.

Press the button on the barrel and hold it down for as long as you want or need the laser beam, and release it to shut the unit back off.
Don't aim the laser at your face when you push the button, otherwise you might hit yourself in the eyes with the laser beam, and that
wouldn't be very good at all.

This laser pointer requires two LR44 button cells, which are included in the package so you don't need to run to the store right away. To change them, unscrew and remove the tailpiece, and set it aside.

Tip the open end of the laser pointer into your hand, and dispose of or recycle the two button cells that come out as you see fit.

Stack two new LR44 button cells on top of one another on a table, countertop, or other flat surface, button-end (-) negative facing up. Lower the laser pointer over this stack so that both cells are in the barrel.

Slide the assembly to the edge of whatever surface you're reloading the pointer on, and place your finger over the laser pointer's opening as you slide it over the edge, so those batteries don't just clatter to the floor. Invert (flip over) the laser pointer now, so the open end of the barrel faces up. Remove your finger. Screw the tailpiece back on, and be done with it.

Current usage measures 25.33mA on my DMM's 40mA scale.

The laser pointer emits a red beam measured at 656.08nm in wavelength, and has a measured output power of 2.09mW using a Sper Scientific Pocket Laser Power Meter # 840011 -- so it's "cat eye safe" and it's kosher to use this as a cat toy.

Beam photograph on the test target at 12".
Measures 2.09mW on a Sper Scientific Pocket Laser Power Meter # 840011.

Measures 2.00mW on a LaserBee 2.5W USB Laser Power Meter w/Thermopile.

Beam photograph on a wall at ~8 feet.

Spectrographic analysis of this laser.

Spectrographic analysis of this laser; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 645nm and 665nm to pinpoint wavelength, which is 656.08nm.

USB2000 Spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.

Beam cross-sectional analysis (X-axis {fast axis}).

Beam cross-sectional analysis (Y-axis {slow axis}).

Images made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.




​

TEST NOTES:
Test unit was borrowed from my mother (she had originally asked what its power output was in order to determine whether or not it could safely be used as a cat toy) early on the evening of 11-28-11 (or "28 Nov. 2011" if you prefer), and was returned to her shortly thereafter. Because it was a loaner, that dreadful "

" icon will appear appended to its listings on my website at once, denoting the fact that I no longer have it at my disposal for future analyses or comparisons.


UPDATE: 00-00-00




PROS:
Labelled properly for wavelength and power output
A bit better looking than most similar keychain lasers



CONS:
Not very water-resistant and definitely not submersible
Batteries it needs could be locally expensive or difficult to locate

MANUFACTURER: Unknown
PRODUCT TYPE: Keychain-style laser pointer
LAMP TYPE: Directly-injected diode laser
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Very narrow spot
SWITCH TYPE: Momentary pushbuton on/off on side of body
CASE MATERIAL: Metal
BEZEL: Metal; laser diode & collimating lens recessed into hosel for them
BATTERY: 2x LR44 button cells
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 25.33mA
WATER-RESISTANT: Very light splatter-resistance at maximum
SUBMERSIBLE: No
ACCESSORIES: 2x LR44 button cells, plastic storage case
SIZE: 64mm L x 13mm D
WEIGHT: Unknown/not equipped to weigh
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: Unknown; though very likely China
WARRANTY: Unknown/not stated



PRODUCT RATING:

 

[eytyxhs]

I had one of these when I was kid

 

[TuhOz]

Well that was a nice review! Lot of text...

I think my friend has a laser pointer like that, I need to check it