Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 1W and 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arctic

[InfinitusEquitas]

Hi Folks,


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9/16/11 Update:

Second Mini Arctic also uses a crappy acrylic lens

The driver is decent though.

Update courtesy of lpf member Lazeerer.

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8/23/11 Update:

Today I got my second Mini Arctic from Lazerer. Cosmetically it is exactly the same.

In terms of output it is exactly on spec. New LPM graph and data have been added.

Peaked at 1010mW, and held steady over a 3 minute run dropping to 966mW. It is a true 1W laser.

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This is a quick and dirty review of the Rifle Host Laser from Lazerer.com, this laser was sent to me for review and at a discount, but certainly not for free, so without further ado;

-The laser peaked at 749mW on a freshly charged tenergy 18650 battery. (Big con IMO.)

-Heatsinking seems to be adequate as power does not start to fall off until after 180 seconds. (Started dropping at 190 seconds)

-Very stable, running at very near peak throughout 3 minute run. Host felt only slightly warm.

-This laser is quite a bit smaller than the arctic. Slightly shorter and much thinner.

-The way pattern heard are attached could lead to problems - I'll expand on this later.

-Overall feels sturdy. For $169.99 it's a very decent deal.

Here's a quick side by side video:

Here are some pictures, sorry about the quality, they were taken with my cell phone. In case anyone doesn't recognize it, the bigger laser is the Spyder Arctic:

Spyder Arctic made available courtesy of LPF member Darkside:beer:

 

[eytyxhs]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

I can't wait for Pictures

 

[lazeerer]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

Me too.

I cant view the Zipped file.

 

[snoutke]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

@InfinitusEquitas:

Thanks for the review, I'll be waiting for the detailed one.

You say: "The laser peaked at 749mW on a freshly charged tenergy 18650 battery.". This is no "Big con", this is an UNDERSPEC laser. your post's headline says it is a review of a 1W laser, while in the website it says it is a 800mW laser. Anyway, it is underspec and I would consider returning it for a replacement or a refund.

Nice that you attached the measurement results.

I will have to get used to your new avatar... nice one

@lazeerer:

The Zipped file is a 2.5W USB Laserbee LPM log file which can be viewed only with the Laserbee LPM user interface software.

 

[lasersbee]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

I'm not an Excel expert.... but IIRC there is a way to use that
Excel data file produced by the EagleEye Data Logging Software
to produce a chart by Excel...


Jerry

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

@eytyxhs
@Lazeerer
- I'm going to expand this thread to include reviews for two other lasers, and mainly focus on those. Looks like I'm a little late to the party and between yobresal and Ra1nfade, pretty much everything is covered for this laser already, but if you have any questions I'm happy to tell you everything I can.

@snoutke
- I agree that the laser is underspec and have already talked with Max via PM about it. With a 445nm laser there is really no good reason for it to not be hitting 1W.

Max offered to exchange the laser, however I would have to pay shipping. I may do this after I spend a little more time with it.

The reason laser is uderspec is apparently the lousy driver. They did find a different driver that will work with two 16340 batteries and will start offering that at some point, I suspect eventually replacing the current stock altogether.

@Angelos
@Jerry
- The attached file is a zipped csv (comma separated value). You can open it with excel or notepad. Unfortunately the forum does not accept the csv file type so I zipped it to provide access.

Overall while the laser is underspec, I am still quite satisfied. IMHO this is a MUCH better option when compared to the arctic. The laser is a little bit shorter, and not nearly as thick (whoever is holding it in pictures for lazerer.com has small hands, or maybe I just have big hands).

To my not experienced eye it is well machined - no burrs. The threading could be better, but isn't bad. The fact that focus is set to infinity when focusing portion is turned all the way in is very nice.

The only area of concern I have is with the pattern heads. I wish the design included an additional piece, because they way it is right now it relies on tension from a piece rubber... which means the heads can't be screwed on well, and there is also a fair chance of one getting stuck if it is twisted on.... this is a design flaw.

Overall my experience with Max/lazerer.com has been very positive. Unlike with some companies I don't feel as if things are getting lost in translation. When I told Max the laser isn't up to spec and others are getting similar results he didn't try throw excuses my way, but acknowledged the problem, told me what is being done about, already changed the mW rating on his website, and offered me to exchange. To his credit in another thread he was also honest and said that he expects these lasers to be in the 700mW-1W range, which mine, and all others so far are.

 

[lazeerer]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

@eytyxhs
@Lazeerer
- I'm going to expand this thread to include reviews for two other lasers, and mainly focus on those. Looks like I'm a little late to the party and between yobresal and Ra1nfade, pretty much everything is covered for this laser already, but if you have any questions I'm happy to tell you everything I can.

@snoutke
- I agree that the laser is underspec and have already talked with Max via PM about it. With a 445nm laser there is really no good reason for it to not be hitting 1W.

Max offered to exchange the laser, however I would have to pay shipping. I may do this after I spend a little more time with it.

The reason laser is uderspec is apparently the lousy driver. They did find a different driver that will work with two 16340 batteries and will start offering that at some point, I suspect eventually replacing the current stock altogether.

@Angelos
@Jerry
- The attached file is a zipped csv (comma separated value). You can open it with excel or notepad. Unfortunately the forum does not accept the csv file type so I zipped it to provide access.



Overall while the laser is underspec, I am still quite satisfied. IMHO this is a MUCH better option when compared to the arctic. The laser is a little bit shorter, and not nearly as thick (whoever is holding it in pictures for lazerer.com has small hands, or maybe I just have big hands).

To my not experienced eye it is well machined - no burrs. The threading could be better, but isn't bad. The fact that focus is set to infinity when focusing portion is turned all the way in is very nice.

The only area of concern I have is with the pattern heads. I wish the design included an additional piece, because they way it is right now it relies on tension from a piece rubber... which means the heads can't be screwed on well, and there is also a fair chance of one getting stuck if it is twisted on.... this is a design flaw.

Overall my experience with Max/lazerer.com has been very positive. Unlike with some companies I don't feel as if things are getting lost in translation. When I told Max the laser isn't up to spec and others are getting similar results he didn't try throw excuses my way, but acknowledged the problem, told me what is being done about, already changed the mW rating on his website, and offered me to exchange. To his credit in another thread he was also honest and said that he expects these lasers to be in the 700mW-1W range, which mine, and all others so far are.

Thanks. Got it to open with Notepad. Not bad. I think that this is a Good alternative to the Arctic.

It would be hard for me to choose between the 2 Just because i really like both hosts just as much.

I want to see one of these lasers next to an Arctic.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

I want to see one of these lasers next to an Arctic.

Updating OP

 

[lazeerer]

Re: Review of the Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 1W from Lazerer.com

Great. I guys i will have a chance to see it in person as well.

 

[DarkSide]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

Its a well made scaled down version of the Artic-3. The one standout feature is the the ability to focus which IMHO is a necessary.

Curious to put these two in the ring together.

Nice review!!

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

Great. I guys i will have a chance to see it in person as well.

Definitely planning on it I like this host a lot, and think aside from nicer anodize finish on the original arctic, this laser is MUCH better.

Its a well made scaled down version of the Artic-3. The one standout feature is the the ability to focus which IMHO is a necessary.

Curious to put these two in the ring together.

Nice review!!

LOL, Thanks!

 

[lazeerer]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

Definitely planning on it I like this host a lot, and think aside from nicer anodize finish on the original arctic, this laser is MUCH better.



LOL, Thanks!

WOW. THis Host is Alot smaller then i thought. I cant believe it. I thought it was just a tab smaller then the Arctic.

Now i see what you mean by it can slip right into your pocket.

Thanks for the Pictures Buddy.:beer:

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

WOW. THis Host is Alot smaller then i thought. I cant believe it. I thought it was just a tab smaller then the Arctic.

Now i see what you mean by it can slip right into your pocket.

IMO this is a MUCH better size... I mean let's face it, there is no good reason for the arctic to be the size that it is... if they installed an active cooling system in there I would understand, but the way it is, it's too big.

This laser is right at the border of what I consider "pocketable". I usually wear jeans or khakis... so pocket space isn't too big of an issue for me in general, but I would NEVER be able to stick an arctic in my pocket comfortably, and go for a walk. (I can just see some girl asking me - "Is that a laser in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" Believe it or not, that's happened to me once already)

 

[Fiddy]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

Is that a laser in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" Believe it or not, that's happened to me once already)

LoL did she she adjust your focus knob for you? :na:

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

LoL did she she adjust your focus knob for you? :na:

A gentleman never tells

She was very good at handling ball bearings though

 

[Haloid95]

Re: Rifle Host (Arctic Lookalike) 445nm 800mW from Lazerer.com Side by Side with Arct

WOW. THis Host is Alot smaller then i thought. I cant believe it. I thought it was just a tab smaller then the Arctic.

Now i see what you mean by it can slip right into your pocket.

Thanks for the Pictures Buddy.:beer:

I didnt think it was that much smaller than the Arctic either. I would rather it's smaller so I could take it with me places.

+1 for pics.