Why is this sanwulaser so cheap?

[Damoedge]

Hi all,

I'm just looking to buy a good laser and most on here recommends sanwulaser.com

I'm looking for a green laser 532nm 50 - 150mw

So I came across this laser:

https://www.sanwulasers.com/product/304

I think it's a good one but the price seems to be very cheap at $15 compared to other lasers around with similar specs...

So my question is guys...Why??

Thanks.
D.

 

[RA_pierce]

It's cheap because it's a generic, mass-produced piece of crap.
It's the same junk you'll find on eBay and everywhere else.
Sanwu might have better quality control, though.

I should elaborate:
The machining quality, the electronics, the optics, and the construction of the DPSS module (or whatever is in there), are all "economical."
Things may rattle around, the optics are uncoated or have a carelessly applied broadband coating, the threads will squeal and grind with use, and products of this caliber have a terrible, low-quality feel overall.
If all you care about is having a cool laser, it's a good value. If you care about aesthetics, efficiency, and all that other stuff I mentioned, you will be disappointed.

 

[Damoedge]

It's cheap because it's a generic, mass-produced piece of crap.
It's the same junk you'll find on eBay and everywhere else.
Sanwu might have better quality control, though.

I should elaborate:
The machining quality, the electronics, the optics, and the construction of the DPSS module (or whatever is in there), are all "economical."
Things may rattle around, the optics are uncoated or have a carelessly applied broadband coating, the threads will squeal and grind with use, and products of this caliber have a terrible, low-quality feel overall.
If all you care about is having a cool laser, it's a good value. If you care about aesthetics, efficiency, and all that other stuff I mentioned, you will be disappointed.

Sorry but from doing a lot of reading on here most seem to recommend sanwulaser as the place to buy a good laser.....and then they list this laser?

So I take it that the specs advertised for this laser are not true at all like it being an actually 532 nm 100mw ?

 

[Encap]

Sorry but from doing a lot of reading on here most seem to recommend sanwulaser as the place to buy a good laser.....and then they list this laser?

So I take it that the specs advertised for this laser are not true at all like it being an actually 532 nm 100mw ?

Sanwu measures the output and states what it is---what you can expect + and they buy from one if the better mass producers.
Sanwu offers those lasers as entry level for people who can't or don't want to afford a better Sanwu made laser.

You can buy a laser 301 or 303 on ebay $5 and up but it will not have a measured output and quality and output varies widely.
So you take more of a chance of getting one that isn't very good.
They are all lowest end mass produced lasers.

You are better off buying a Sanwu made high quality laser if you have the budget for one.

 

[paul1598419]

The only difference between these lasers from Sanwu and any you find on eBay is they measured the output power. They all come from the same mass produced place and you are paying an extra $13.00 plus shipping to get the same thing you can get for less on eBay. I have purchased several over the years and never got a bad one. If you should buy it on eBay and it is defective, you can always get your money back or a replacement laser. I wouldn't pay Sanwu extra as I have 4 LPMs and can measure them myself.

 

[Damoedge]

Sanwu measures the output and states what it is---what you can expect + and they buy from one if the better mass producers.
Sanwu offers those lasers as entry level for people who can't or don't want to afford a better Sanwu made laser.

So if that's true what you say that Sanwu measures the output of their lasers...that means this laser is actually a 100mw ?

I'm still a little confused here....because if it is that output or close to it well it should be more expensive.....

 

[BowtieGuy]

As has already been mentioned, this laser from Sanwu is same as any other 301 or 303 laser that you can find on ebay for as low as $5 or $6 dollars, the difference is that these have had the output measured, and they guarantee the power.

If this seems too good to be true, buy one, and have the ouptut power measured; any member here on LPF with a LPM will measure your laser for you at no charge. :yh:
Sanwu is a reputable company, and I'm sure they'll stand behind their products.

When I checked out your link to Sanwu, it showed the cost to be $18 + an additional $6 if you want the 532nm wavelength.

 

[steve001]

So if that's true what you say that Sanwu measures the output of their lasers...that means this laser is actually a 100mw ?

I'm still a little confused here....because if it is that output or close to it well it should be more expensive.....

Mass production brings costs down. Remember how expensive high definition tv's were? Perhaps a short course in economics is in order.

 

[Damoedge]

Thanks for all the replies guys but in fairness I still have not got a straight answer only how reputable Sanwu is...and how they are selling a laser that can be found on eBay which I know already...

So is this laser advertised definitely 100mw and definitely 532nm ?

That's all I wanted to know....

Thanks.

 

[H2Oxide]

Thanks for all the replies guys but in fairness I still have not got a straight answer only how reputable Sanwu is...and how they are selling a laser that can be found on eBay which I know already...

So is this laser advertised definitely 100mw and definitely 532nm ?

That's all I wanted to know....

Thanks.

Sanwu builds nice, higher quality lasers, and they have a fantastic reputation. The laser you linked to is not a "Sanwu laser", it's a Sanwu branded generic laser.

Why is Sanwu selling a laser you can find on eBay in the first place? Well, like other members have already stated, Sanwu measures the output of them, meaning that it's guaranteed that it will be up to spec. If you were to just buy it off of eBay, it could be 100mW, or it could be 1mW; you won't know 'till you meter it yourself.

 

[paul1598419]

At $24.00 for the 532nm laser, you could buy 4 from eBay and you would have a good chance that one would be close to 100 mW. I don't think Sanwu's 100 mW laser is at or above 100 mW. It could be as low as 90 mW and still be a Sanwu 100 mW laser. It's up to you if you think that buying the same laser from Sanwu that can be had on eBay is a better deal. I don't think so, so I have never paid for their highly overpriced 532nm 303 lasers.

 

[Damoedge]

At $24.00 for the 532nm laser, you could buy 4 from eBay and you would have a good chance that one would be close to 100 mW. I don't think Sanwu's 100 mW laser is at or above 100 mW. It could be as low as 90 mW and still be a Sanwu 100 mW laser. It's up to you if you think that buying the same laser from Sanwu that can be had on eBay is a better deal. I don't think so, so I have never paid for their highly overpriced 532nm 303 lasers.

Thanks for your honest reply

From reading back on this thread it seems that Sanwu must have paid advertising on here somewhere or a subscription or something...as everyone seems to praise them...why I wonder? Yes they may have great lasers and bla bla bla but it is obvious that they also have a few crap lasers too and that is the reality of it and that's my opinion.

I thank all for your replies and advice... but for a normal guy like me to read the other praise threads about Sanwu I nearly bought a crap laser if I did not ask this question on here.

 

[Gazen]

We praise sanwu because for the most part they are trustworthy and manufacture high quality products. The only person profiting from advertising sanwu is the owner of this forum.

 

[Encap]

Thanks for your honest reply

From reading back on this thread it seems that Sanwu must have paid advertising on here somewhere or a subscription or something...as everyone seems to praise them...why I wonder? Yes they may have great lasers and bla bla bla but it is obvious that they also have a few crap lasers too and that is the reality of it and that's my opinion.

I thank all for your replies and advice... but for a normal guy like me to read the other praise threads about Sanwu I nearly bought a crap laser if I did not ask this question on here.

Sanwu does not make 532nm lasers. They only make lasers based on direct diode technology, 532nm is created by Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) technology which is a more complicated process.

If you want an excellent quality 532nm laser see: https://www.jetlasers.org/pl-e-pro/10-pl-e-pro-532nm-green-lasers.html#/1-finish-black/50-battery-no/52-10x_beam_expander-no/90-ac_adapter-no/49-goggles-no/33-power_levels-800mw

also PL-E 532nm Mini version here: https://www.jetlasers.org/pl-e-mini/72-pl-e-mini-532nm-green-laser-50mw-1000mw.html#/1-finish-black/26-power_levels-200mw/50-battery-no/53-switch_type-pl_e_mechanical/52-10x_beam_expander-no/49-goggles-no

 

[Shotgundrums]

When I first started looking into sanwu’s lasers I emailed them asking about these 301/303 types and asked if their parts went into these. They asserted these to have higher quality control and scrutiny, I.e. power output measuring, assembly, etc given the diodes and components comprising them.
They are sorted away from a vast lot.
SGD:beer:

 

[paul1598419]

If I were selling 303 lasers for as much money as they do, I would also have a good story about how mine are better than the others. You have to justify the extra costs somehow. I do not believe they have a hand in the QC of these lasers in the assembly stage and buy them the same way as other sellers who also sell them. There are other sellers who claim high powers for these lasers, but no one believes they can do 30000 mW of 532nm output power either. Anyone can order these lasers in quantity in China and get most anything printed on them, but that changes nothing in the design and build of them. You can buy the plug that they use to say these are better than others, but many sell them for too much money and claim reasons why their versions are so much better.