I don't really think I'm in a position to vote on this considering my very short time here as a member, so I won't.
But, I do think I have a right to say a few things based on the fact that I bought one of his builds.
In his ad, I was never under the impression that it was a 100% continuous duty cycle.
Although these diodes are capable of a 100% duty cycle, it's with proper heat dissipation.
After all, it did come from a projector that is rated at 100% duty cycle (it would be stupid to market a projector that you had to turn off every 5min)
I took his statement as a description of how long the batteries would last with the laser operating at 100% current draw, not how long the laser would literally run for.
His description had several "sections" describing each of the components, and the 80min run time was in the battery section, not the laser, heat sink, or driver section.
When I was operating the laser, I kept tabs on the heat sink and when it started getting warm to the touch I would allow it cool.
Everyone *should* know that when a heat sink starts getting hot, the source of heat is is becoming VERY hot.
As far as copying a build, I didn't realize everyone was so particular about their builds. It's a chunk of aluminum with a hole drilled in it, mated to a flashlight, with a diode, driver, and optics attached. If I were genuinely interested in supporting the hobby, any of my builds would be a DIY tutorial and if I had the time I would supply parts or kits. I wouldn't be upset about someone else building something I threw together. In fact, isn't there a thread about a group buy of an arctic spyder host copy somewhere on the forums? Where does one draw the line between using an idea or concept and copying a design? Now that I've said that, I don't condone selling a build knowing the original builder doesn't agree with it...but there's no copyright law against it, only a matter of integrity/honor.
This laser is a good build and I've had zero problems.
The optics focus just as well as can be expected from a cheap acrylic lens.
Heat sink works quite well and further dissipates into the host body.
Battery life is admirable.
Diode works great.
Only complaint is that the battery spring wasn't attached in any way to the tail cap and didn't really give me any problems.
While it did bother me a bit, it always work, and a drop of hot glue fixed that issue.
Take that information how you will, ignore it, or chalk it up to an inexperienced hobbyist (that was a joke btw)...that's all I'm going to say about this matter and this is the extent of my participation.
