I just browsed this thread and thought RHD might appreciate this info (or anyone else in the market for lenses.
MINI-REVIEW (please dont yell at me if this belongs in the reviews thread!)
I actually ordered the 405/445nm lenses from both Rayfoss and Aixiz.
The rayfoss ones were 2 for $10 plus $3 standard shipping. Order paid on the 3rd of Jan. and received it today.
- The Good: They came well wrapped and packaged in a padded envelope. Pretty standard/decent packaging. Faona (i think, or whoever responds to rayfoss's emails) responds to every email within max 48hours. 2 405/445nm lenses for $13... hard to beat that.
- THe bad: If you havent noticed from above, it took roughly 1 month for standard shipping. and it was shipped BEFORE the lunar new year. longer than i'd like but its from asia so w/e. quality-wise There doesnt seem to be much of a coating on both lenses, as in, the coating is the same color as the aixiz lens but its not as prevalent as the aixiz... i have to view in different angles and lighting conditions to see the amber tint, but when i do its the same color as the Aixiz. Im wondering if anyone knows what that could mean (cheap coating/too thin)?? also, straight from the package and into my laser, these lense had smudge marks and specks that was very visible when adjusted to a 2ft circle on a white wall. I used powderless nitrile gloves and static free tweezers to handle the lenses cuz i hate taking apart these things to clean them...always seem to get more crap on it AFTER the cleaning :banghead:. anyways, after dissassembly and cleaning, the rayfoss lenses loook great, just like Aixiz's, LOVE the clean round dot, sorry no LPM so i can measure outputs but all 3 lenses make what my eyes perceive as the same powered beam/spot (dont hold me to it, its just an observation). So far no real difference in performance, but slight variation in AR coating from rayfoss makes me wonder about the long team durability of the AR coating. only other difference is rayfoss lenses have slight ring and very slight splash.
As far as Aixiz: shipping=fast, Service=great, packaging=best around, product=aside from 405-g1 this is the best lense to get, came clean and spot free, very visable AR coating(looks durable), makes one helluva nice dot, virtually no halo/light-ring when focused to infinity, seriously guys, i've used the half-threaded ones from modwerx and olike and there was considerably more splash and the spot wasnt as round or clean, grrrr i wish i could find my camera to take a pic, cuz my camera doesnt do this lens justice. I was gonna buy a 405-g1 but looking at the halos/splash caused by the single element lens, I decided to go with this and its totally worth it (unless all you care about is absolute power).
SUMMARY:
Rayfoss=cheap,comparable quality,2 lenses for less than others charge for just 1,good response and service BUT slow shipping(1month), bad QC/handling(specks and smugdes), AR coating doesnt look up to par, but for now it works fine so i guess pros/cons even out and im happy with my purchase.
Aixiz=cheapest in US, packaging is a sealed anti-static bag in a padded envelope, cant say anything bad really! ordered on jan 30 received feb 3
hope this helps