Wicked Lasers Spyder III ARCTIC - my review

[Tonga]

Nice review. I'm waiting until my get my hands on my Arctic in the next week. :drool: I hope the Smartswitch is easy to get used to.

The smart switch is a breeze!

 

[1fastsuv]

I'm new to this forum and recently purchased two green lasers from internet sites. I should've joined this forum and researched more BEFORE i purchased the two. Luckily i'm only out less than $150 and have two pretty green pointers.

I'm interested in something for night visual as well burning different material. The one i purchased will pop a black balloon but will not light a match. I would also like to stay under $300.00. Would you all recommend the Arctic, or would something else be sufficient? Thank you in advance.

 

[Ash]

I'm new to this forum and recently purchased two green lasers from internet sites. I should've joined this forum and researched more BEFORE i purchased the two. Luckily i'm only out less than $150 and have two pretty green pointers.

I'm interested in something for night visual as well burning different material. The one i purchased will pop a black balloon but will not light a match. I would also like to stay under $300.00. Would you all recommend the Arctic, or would something else be sufficient? Thank you in advance.

Durrr...

Threadjack much?

To answer your question. I don't recommend the Arctic. I recommend you get used to using Class II and III lasers before you step up to something that can blind you just by looking at the dot on a white wall. :yabbmad:

 

[ZapU]

At low power with the training lens on the dot is the same brightness as a 5mw green - I'll post pics to show you.

While people should always be careful with a laser at any power, I really don't think, at that level, the Arctic poses a serious threat of instant eye damage.

Nice review

I have to correct you on this point. It may look like a 5mW green but
it's still dangerous.
I have measured the output - 32mW:

 

[W4NX]

Nice review. Unlike the old artcit he ones "G1" THe G2 have little to no issues.

I also like my Arctic. Its a very good laser.IMO That the G2 and I'm speaking on the one i own.

It took a long time for me to get it but it about 5 months but i dint care how long it took as i had alot more laser to play with in the mean time.

+1

It's nice to see Wicked sorted out the QC issues. Though I must say my G1 is performing perfectly and I've had it since August. One of the lucky ones I suppose.

 

[1fastsuv]

Durrr...

Threadjack much?

To answer your question. I don't recommend the Arctic. I recommend you get used to using Class II and III lasers before you step up to something that can blind you just by looking at the dot on a white wall. :yabbmad:

I appreciate your advice and understand by the majority of your posts to "new forum members" that you're a huge advocate for safety. If you checked out my interests i'm an avid gun user and have over a dozen rifles and handguns. I also have my concealed carry permit so I'm not a reckless person and am very safe with dangerous weapons or technology.

My question was whether the Arctic (the subject of the thread) was a good product for the money or is there something else that would "give me more bang for my buck" so to speak. (this doesn't mean i'm going to blow something up with the laser) I've spent money on two items that i'm very dissatisfied with. I've realized over the years (I'm not a young kid) that the majority of the time, you get what you pay for. I will gladly spend more money if it's warranted but would rather get a great product for a relatively inexpensive price. I guess the reason for the question, I quess was to get the "experts" opinion on whether the Arctic was a good product for the price or should I spend more money and get a better item? I don't know about other forum members but just because im new to sign up on this forum doesn't mean im new to the technology or haven't researched at other sites. If I started a new thread and asked the question I more than likely would've been "jumped" for asking about something that has been reviewed before and can easily be searched. My apologies for the hijack, if that's what it seemed.
Thank you in advance for your constructive opinions.

I was hoping for some friendly opinions but I've noticed the same type of people on other forums for other items. The experts that sit on the forum every day don't like new people trying to learn about their hobby. All of you were new to this at one time. I guess I should've kept my question short and just asked the thread starter if he only had one laser to buy with his money would he buy the arctic again or something else. I was hoping to engage some people into educational conversations to teach me about my new interest. Apologies to all the forum experts i offened and the thread starter for interupting. If any one of you buy a Jeep SRT8 or a Jeep Wrangler and visit those forums, I will gladly be respectful to you and answer any questions you may have. I've been a member of those for quite some time and have become quite an expert on them, although I was new at one time and had questions on there too.

 

[Ash]

I'm not a reckless person and am very safe with dangerous weapons or technology.

Cool. Just remember to purchase the proper safety glasses and use them often.

My question was whether the Arctic (the subject of the thread) was a good product for the money or is there something else that would "give me more bang for my buck" so to speak.

Well. It really boils down to preference. I have an Arctic and several custom and DIY 445nm lasers.
Personally, I like my 3-mode >1.1W Yobresal build better than my Arctic G2 mainly for the size and ability to focus on-the-fly.
But, the Arctic does have the advantage of having an unlimited run-time (until the battery dies), and the "cool-looking" (to some) host.
But the disadvantages outweigh the good points for the Arctic.
bad:
+ $300 price tag
no adjustable-focus lens
on average 700-900mW (not the advertised 1W)
+/- 3 month wait time
possibility of being siezed at the border (depending on country)
huge size and weight
sub-par driver
glasses that ship with it do not protect well enough

good:
smartswitch (some consider bad) and battery indicator
long run times
um... is that it? :thinking:

IMO $175 >1.1W 445nm (custom) is better than $300 <900mW Arctic

 

[Krogith]

Cool. Just remember to purchase the proper safety glasses and use them often.

Well. It really boils down to preference. I have an Arctic and several custom and DIY 445nm lasers.
Personally, I like my 3-mode >1.1W Yobresal build better than my Arctic G2 mainly for the size and ability to focus on-the-fly.
But, the Arctic does have the advantage of having an unlimited run-time (until the battery dies), and the "cool-looking" (to some) host.
But the disadvantages outweigh the good points for the Arctic.
bad:
+ $300 price tag
no adjustable-focus lens
on average 700-900mW (not the advertised 1W)
+/- 3 month wait time
possibility of being siezed at the border (depending on country)
huge size and weight
sub-par driver
glasses that ship with it do not protect well enough

good:
smartswitch (some consider bad) and battery indicator
long run times
um... is that it? :thinking:

IMO $175 >1.1W 445nm (custom) is better than $300 <900mW Arctic

What if you want both??? A custom Yobresal for burning things and a lower power Arctic for the Star Pointing? and then I'm getting a AntArctic P5 (when the beast is Done) that i want putting out about 1.8-1.9W 445nm... Umm I havn't thought of a good reason for this one... other than "FIRE THE LASER!!!"

 

[1fastsuv]

Cool. Just remember to purchase the proper safety glasses and use them often.

Well. It really boils down to preference. I have an Arctic and several custom and DIY 445nm lasers.
Personally, I like my 3-mode >1.1W Yobresal build better than my Arctic G2 mainly for the size and ability to focus on-the-fly.
But, the Arctic does have the advantage of having an unlimited run-time (until the battery dies), and the "cool-looking" (to some) host.
But the disadvantages outweigh the good points for the Arctic.
bad:
+ $300 price tag
no adjustable-focus lens
on average 700-900mW (not the advertised 1W)
+/- 3 month wait time
possibility of being siezed at the border (depending on country)
huge size and weight
sub-par driver
glasses that ship with it do not protect well enough

good:
smartswitch (some consider bad) and battery indicator
long run times
um... is that it? :thinking:

IMO $175 >1.1W 445nm (custom) is better than $300 <900mW Arctic

Thank you, I appreciate it very much. I'm not too worried about the smart switch. I've read that a lot of people dont like it but I don't think there would ever be an instance where it would be a problem. I also wouldn't mind spending the extra $125 if it was worth it. I spent twice that much on dinner last night. Like i said earlier, I dont want to spend it if I can get something better for cheaper. I haven't read enough to find out about the $175 custom. I'm not in a big hurry to buy either. Thanks for the input, and now i'm glad i asked.

 

[Krogith]

Thank you, I appreciate it very much. I'm not too worried about the smart switch. I've read that a lot of people dont like it but I don't think there would ever be an instance where it would be a problem. I also wouldn't mind spending the extra $125 if it was worth it. I spent twice that much on dinner last night. Like i said earlier, I dont want to spend it if I can get something better for cheaper. I haven't read enough to find out about the $175 custom. I'm not in a big hurry to buy either. Thanks for the input, and now i'm glad i asked.

For around 180$ you can get a better built laser that can focus on the fly. It will have more output and better parts and last longer.

I don't think anyone buys the arctic for any other reason than they really like how it looks.

If times not a factor than you might want to goto the group buy section and theres a arctic host (AntArctic P5) someones going make very sweet for us and it will be able to have all those better parts into a even better laser. That things is going be awesome.

 

[Trevor]

I appreciate your advice and understand by the majority of your posts to "new forum members" that you're a huge advocate for safety. If you checked out my interests i'm an avid gun user and have over a dozen rifles and handguns. I also have my concealed carry permit so I'm not a reckless person and am very safe with dangerous weapons or technology.

Handling non-lasers makes you better at handling lasers? I bet that extends to other areas as well! I'm gonna go swim and see if I get better at driving!

Wish me luck!

-Trevor

 

[1fastsuv]

Handling non-lasers makes you better at handling lasers? I bet that extends to other areas as well! I'm gonna go swim and see if I get better at driving!

Wish me luck!

-Trevor

I never said it made me better at handling lasers. Obviously you can't read, or can't comprehend the written word. I said "I'm not a reckless person and am very safe with dangerous weapons or technology."

I'll explain slowly and in detail so that you can comprehend. His point, and I appreciate it, was to make sure that I wasn't going to buy something that was dangerous, and use it recklessly to myself or others. My point was to reassure him that i'm not a reckless person and have handled dangerous items, including deadly weapons, in the past and have always taken the all safety courses and have always been very responsible in their use.

Trevor, if you have a problem understanding this to mean that since i can swim it means i can dive, i'll gladly PM you with a more detailed version with illustrations.

 

[Trevor]

I never said it made me better at handling lasers. Obviously you can't read, or can't comprehend the written word. I said "I'm not a reckless person and am very safe with dangerous weapons or technology."

I'll explain slowly and in detail so that you can comprehend. His point, and I appreciate it, was to make sure that I wasn't going to buy something that was dangerous, and use it recklessly to myself or others. My point was to reassure him that i'm not a reckless person and have handled dangerous items, including deadly weapons, in the past and have always taken the all safety courses and have always been very responsible in their use.

Trevor, if you have a problem understanding this to mean that since i can swim it means i can dive, i'll gladly PM you with a more detailed version with illustrations.

You're way too easy to troll.

It seems like a lot of people who come on here that work with guns think they'll automatically be safe with lasers. Nothing personal, just something I noticed. To be fair, you did demonstrate a lack of laser knowledge in your first post in this thread.

Here:

I think I'll go get licensed and buy a gun, since I already work with lasers.

Now be indignant at my ignorance.

I'm aware that my experience with dangerous technologies (laser) won't transfer to guns because I lack the specific knowledge about them that's necessary to handle them completely safely. It goes the other way around too. You already showed us in this thread that you are a novice with lasers and lack important knowledge specific to them. I don't know you. To me, you look like just another overconfident gun enthusiast. That's my point.

-Trevor

 

[1fastsuv]

You're way too easy to troll.


-Trevor

If that's what you like to do, I'm glad I could be of assistance to you.

 

[1fastsuv]

I'm aware that my experience with dangerous technologies (laser) won't transfer to guns because I lack the specific knowledge about them that's necessary to handle them completely safely. It goes the other way around too.

There's only one way to learn how to shoot a gun. Buy a gun, take a safety class, and practice. I'm not a teenager and don't have the time to start with a BB gun and spend years learning how to shoot before I get the gun I really want. I may have incorrectly assumed this idea "goes the other way around too."

You already showed us in this thread that you are a novice with lasers and lack important knowledge specific to them. I don't know you. To me, you look like just another overconfident gun enthusiast. That's my point.
-Trevor

You take one line out of my statement to another member and generalize me with every gun enthusiast out there. (You must be a liberal) Once again, the point of my statement was to say that I'm not reckless with "anything," be it guns, fast cars, .......... or lasers.

 

[Trevor]

(You must be a liberal)

I voted no confidence in the last election. I want to show my demographic votes, but would like a moderate in office so that everything isn't so polarized. I probably will again in 2012.

However, if lumping me into a group you don't like will help you hate me - by all means, go for it.

You take one line out of my statement to another member and generalize me with every gun enthusiast out there. (You must be a liberal) Once again, the point of my statement was to say that I'm not reckless with "anything," be it guns, fast cars, .......... or lasers.

Well, let's see here:

-I've seen a lot of gun enthusiasts join the forum and be far too overconfident with lasers.
-You are a gun enthusiast.
-You demonstrated a distinct lack of laser knowledge.
-You are quite confident in your ability not to injure yourself.

I think Dr. Pavlov would say my response is pretty fair.

Lasers pose hazards that are unique to them. Read up on Sam's Laser FAQ, acquire goggles, maybe lurk a little bit more. Work with lower-power systems until you gain respect for high-power systems and what they do.

If you don't have a reference point (other than burning) for how much optical power a watt (or more) really is, then you might consider waiting and working with other systems until you do. It just might save your vision.

Listen to me or don't. However, if you hurt yourself and post a horror story in the safety forum, I'm not sure you'll get any sympathy.

-Trevor