Sanwu, Spiker or Challenger II?

[Skittles]

Yoy already have bright with the 1W 520nm---beam is about 8X brighter than 1W 635---445nm and 635nm compared to 520nm are almost equally less bright so....

I know, I was just wondering how bright 1 watt of 635nm would be, and I want a Sanwu laser. :beer:

 

[BobMc]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~and I want a Sanwu laser. :beer:

Sanwu does make some great builds. My favorite is the Guardian series. You get a little pocket high power build with a fairly decent duty cycle. The Challenger 2's and the Spiker's are excellent also, they all seem to have there place. Enjoy and be safe.

 

[Encap]

Sanwu does make some great builds. My favorite is the Guardian series. You get a little pocket high power build with a fairly decent duty cycle. The Challenger 2's and the Spiker's are excellent also, they all seem to have there place. Enjoy and be safe.

The Red Guardian limited is worth the extra $10 for all that copper--little bit longer duty cycle as well, I assume.
https://www.sanwulasers.org/product/redguardian

 

[BobMc]

The Red Guardian limited is worth the extra $10 for all that copper--little bit longer duty cycle as well, I assume.
https://www.sanwulasers.org/product/redguardian

Yes the Red Guardian does give you a longer duty cycle. I got two Red Guradians a 1 watt 520 and a "special request" 2.5 watt 445, both are great builds and well worth the extra 10.00 investment.

 

[Duskangels]

Yes the Red Guardian does give you a longer duty cycle. I got two Red Guradians a 1 watt 520 and a "special request" 2.5 watt 445, both are great builds and well worth the extra 10.00 investment.

I am very interested in buying the Sanwu Guardian 1 watt green laser. Would you recommend the Challenger 2 instead?

 

[BobMc]

I am very interested in buying the Sanwu Guardian 1 watt green laser. Would you recommend the Challenger 2 instead?

Man that is a tough call. The 1watt Guardian or the 1watt Challenger 2??

Well they both will handle Sanwu’s BE, so your good there. The Guardian takes 1, 18350, the Challenger takes two. You will get a longer duty cycle out of the Challenger. The Guardian does seem to drain the one battery fairly fast. So have a couple of back up batteries on hand so you don’t get that dreaded “oh man, my batteries are running dead” feeling with no battery back up. Both can be carried in your pocket fairly comfortably. They both fit small flashlight holsters you can buy on eBay for a couple bucks each.

Having said all that, since they use the same diode. And since I own one of each. I’ve got to come down on the side of Guardian simply because it fits better in the pocket. It happens to be what I carry with me where ever I go. Either my 2.5 Red Guardian or 1 watt 520. (sometimes both, one in each pocket) when I can’t make up my mind. :tinfoil:

Either way you decide, your going to be very happy and you’ll be getting a great laser from a company that stands behind their products. Best wishes, and after you’ve made your decision, beam shots please.

Ps, I have only the red copper and the nickel/copper. Don’t have any of the stainless steel hosts so I can’t speak about them. But with the higher output diodes not sure if they could dispense enough heat. ??

 

[hoo7h]

I am in the same place right now in choosing which 1W 520nm. I am leaning toward the regular Guardian. The reason I am not getting the Red Copper one is the lack of reverse polarity protection, lack of warranty on anything but the diode, and I am not even sure it is waterproof. Oh and it says that it can be damaged/oxidized easily. What do y'all think?

 

[BobMc]

I am in the same place right now in choosing which 1W 520nm. I am leaning toward the regular Guardian. The reason I am not getting the Red Copper one is the lack of reverse polarity protection, lack of warranty on anything but the diode, and I am not even sure it is waterproof. Oh and it says that it can be damaged/oxidized easily. What do y'all think?

I have two Red Guardians a 2.5w 445nm and a 1w 520. They do tarnish quickly. They do scratch and ding quite easily also. But they do provide better cooling for the diode. I still perfer the nickel/copper of the standard Guardians. Added bonus is their hardier and like you said, they have reverse polarity protection.

Recommend the g7lens, with that they will throw one nice beam. Been using mine for over a year and they still are throwing photons for days. Very pleased with them. (My thoughts.)

 

[Bacon]

Well I like my challenger II . The beam expander looks great with it & a G7 lens.
Its-a one spicy meatball. (BTW be sure to pick up some safety goggles for the wavelength & power you want!)

 

[BobMc]

Well I like my challenger II . The beam expander looks great with it & a G7 lens.
Its-a one spicy meatball. (BTW be sure to pick up some safety goggles for the wavelength & power you want!)

Nice! The BE’s work so well on these. Enjoy

 

[Duskangels]

Oh man. You guys are so cool. Thanks for all of your responses. I just pulled the trigger on buying the 1 W green guardian laser. I just got my 405 nm 1.6 W today. That laser is absolutely amazing and I love it! Don’t get me wrong I love the pocket lasers too… I have 4 of them but the Guardian is far better. I can’t wait to try out the new 1 W 520nm green laser.

 

[BobMc]

Oh man. You guys are so cool. Thanks for all of your responses. I just pulled the trigger on buying the 1 W green guardian laser. I just got my 405 nm 1.6 W today. That laser is absolutely amazing and I love it! Don’t get me wrong I love the pocket lasers to… I have four of them but the Guardian is by far better. I can’t wait to try out the new 1 W 520nm green laser.

I have one your going to love it. You can buy a holister for it off of eBay for a couple of buck to keep it from scratching when you carry it in your pocket. I poked a hole in one end so I don’t have to take it out of the holister to use. Comes in mighty handy, Enjoy and be safe. (did you happen to make a welcome post in the newcomer section, to say hi and introduce yourself? If not you might want to say hi over there). Best wishes.