Sanwu 304 150mW blue--for starpointing? And what batteries?

[MrDNE]

I'm looking for a reliable, low-ish power blue for star pointing. Just enough power to clearly see the beam at night. Will the Sanwu 304 150mW do the trick? I'd also like momentary button on the side (not the back), which it looks like this model has. Also, when I read "304" can I assume a standard host size? The pictures and text aren't very clear here regarding the 150mW and which batterie(s) it requires.

Thanks!

 

[GSS]

Unless the 301's 303's and 304's are a green 532nm, or a purple 405nm or 650nm red its a chance you have to take when you order a 150mw blue.
I personally don't know who or how they mod a 304 into a 150mw blue. Maby someone has bought one and knows..
For star pointing the 532nm is obviously the best. These 304's might do 60mw to 80mw.
A blue 445nm at 150mw will be only about as bright as a 15mw 532nm green.
Basicly a the 301's, 302's, 303's and 304's are the same laser. Some might come with star caps or are labeled as 304's to fool the us into thinking its a different and better upgrade than a 301.
I see you registered 9 years ago and this is your first post and maby you know this info as I see lasers in your sig

 

[Giannis_TDM]

Unless the 301's 303's and 304's are a green 532nm, or a purple 405nm or 650nm red its a chance you have to take when you order a 150mw blue.
I personally don't know who or how they mod a 304 into a 150mw blue. Maby someone has bought one and knows..
For star pointing the 532nm is obviously the best. These 304's might do 60mw to 80mw.
A blue 445nm at 150mw will be only about as bright as a 15mw 532nm green.
Basicly a the 301's, 302's, 303's and 304's are the same laser. Some might come with star caps or are labeled as 304's to fool the us into thinking its a different and better upgrade than a 301.
I see you registered 9 years ago and this is your first post and maby you know this info as I see lasers in your sig

I have seen some 30x that have a screw type module that you can screw out perhaps they are using that or re purposing the under spec 30x that are not for sale. As for how, you can take an empty 30x host from Ebay ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-Housin...nter-Torch-Focusable-w-Star-Caps/283347197498 ) And then for the diode I am 99% sure that they are using a single mode PLT5 450b Osram diode.
Edit: OP the 300,301,302,303,304 are the same host the 30x is just the name we use for this specific host style. They take one 18650 battery

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi D,
For star pointing and the best visible beam either a 532 or a 525 or a 520 nm would be the best for your application.
We see the green WL the best out of the color spectrum and is the brightest.
Rich

 

[MrDNE]

Actually, just knowing the difference between 301-304 is only marketing is valuable info. Yes, you might say I'm a bit of a lurker. Loved the idea of lasers since I was a kid, but my WL Phoenix was my first one powerful enough to burn things and see the beam at night. That one still works, but I've never had a blue and thought it would make for a unique star pointer. I have a 405 nm from O-like rated 50 mW, but I think it's way over spec, probably closer to 100. That one the beam is visible at night once my eyes have adjusted a bit, and then only barely. I figure the additional power and more visible wavelength of a blue should make it just the right.

The Sanwu page is a bit of a puzzle--the 150 mW seems added as an afterthought. All three lasers on that page use two batteries, though I note the smaller uses a pair of flat top 18350's (which together would be very close in size to an 18650, which fits with your "30x uses a single 18650" statement). Perhaps the blues just need the higher voltage. The larger 3W doesn't even look like a 30x, so...?

Anyway, I'll review it here and post a few pics when it arrives. Thanks for the answers, everyone!

 

[GSS]

Oh yeah, the battery sizes and polarity location are all over the place with the 301's 304's. It's so easy to make a mistake. So obviously triple check with the seller..
Yes please do a review when you get it. I'm really curious as i'm sure others are too

 

[Snecho]

I have seen some 30x that have a screw type module that you can screw out perhaps they are using that or re purposing the under spec 30x that are not for sale. As for how, you can take an empty 30x host from Ebay ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-Housin...nter-Torch-Focusable-w-Star-Caps/283347197498 ) And then for the diode I am 99% sure that they are using a single mode PLT5 450b Osram diode.
Edit: OP the 300,301,302,303,304 are the same host the 30x is just the name we use for this specific host style. They take one 18650 battery

I didn't know empty 303 hosts are even a thing. That's pretty cool actually

Actually, just knowing the difference between 301-304 is only marketing is valuable info. Yes, you might say I'm a bit of a lurker. Loved the idea of lasers since I was a kid, but my WL Phoenix was my first one powerful enough to burn things and see the beam at night. That one still works, but I've never had a blue and thought it would make for a unique star pointer. I have a 405 nm from O-like rated 50 mW, but I think it's way over spec, probably closer to 100. That one the beam is visible at night once my eyes have adjusted a bit, and then only barely. I figure the additional power and more visible wavelength of a blue should make it just the right.

The Sanwu page is a bit of a puzzle--the 150 mW seems added as an afterthought. All three lasers on that page use two batteries, though I note the smaller uses a pair of flat top 18350's (which together would be very close in size to an 18650, which fits with your "30x uses a single 18650" statement). Perhaps the blues just need the higher voltage. The larger 3W doesn't even look like a 30x, so...?

Anyway, I'll review it here and post a few pics when it arrives. Thanks for the answers, everyone!

I'm planning to get the Sanwu "304's" here shortly aswell. The listing is rather confusing as you said, so I really can't wait to see for myself and write a review.

 

[MrDNE]

Alright, so first of all, note to self: don't buy lasers from China in the middle of a pandemic... That said, it's finally here--review coming. Short version: for $40, I'm very happy. I'll post a review to the reviews section.