Yesterday my new Nova Alpha 105 laser arrived.
http://www.novalasers.com/NOVAstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=7&idproduct=52
This is what the spec sheet that came with it said:
Peak Output: 142.8 mW
Average: 125.2 mW (which is great)
The build is great, the beam is perfect, and they shipped it fast. I put in a fresh set of "Enegizer Ultimate Lithium" batteries and went outside to test it out. It has a perfect visible beam that reaches all the way to the clouds and trees way in the distance.
Now for the issue... I took it inside to try popping a black balloon. I tried from about 5 feet, and even with both the laser and the balloon completly still, nothing happened... I tried closer, and closer until I was about 6 inches away, and after holding the beam there for about 5 seconds, it popped. I tried different balloons with different amounts of air, different colors, plus balloons with black marker drawn on them. Nothing worked, they still would only pop when the laser was 6" or so away.
I then tried a few different kinds and colors of matches, they won't light no matter how close or far. Same story with black electrical tape, the laser won't do anything but make little spots on it. Even pointing it on my skin doesn't cause much warmth.
I've tried brand new alkaline batteries, Ultimate lithium, Advanced Lithium, and NiMH rechargables all with the same result.
I bypassed the tailcap safety features with a polished penny like other posters have advised, and that did almost nothing.
So the question is, why doesn't a "125.2 mW" green laser have enough power to burn anything? That's not the main reason for getting this laser, but it's interesting to do once in a while.
http://www.novalasers.com/NOVAstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=7&idproduct=52
This is what the spec sheet that came with it said:
Peak Output: 142.8 mW
Average: 125.2 mW (which is great)
The build is great, the beam is perfect, and they shipped it fast. I put in a fresh set of "Enegizer Ultimate Lithium" batteries and went outside to test it out. It has a perfect visible beam that reaches all the way to the clouds and trees way in the distance.
Now for the issue... I took it inside to try popping a black balloon. I tried from about 5 feet, and even with both the laser and the balloon completly still, nothing happened... I tried closer, and closer until I was about 6 inches away, and after holding the beam there for about 5 seconds, it popped. I tried different balloons with different amounts of air, different colors, plus balloons with black marker drawn on them. Nothing worked, they still would only pop when the laser was 6" or so away.
I then tried a few different kinds and colors of matches, they won't light no matter how close or far. Same story with black electrical tape, the laser won't do anything but make little spots on it. Even pointing it on my skin doesn't cause much warmth.
I've tried brand new alkaline batteries, Ultimate lithium, Advanced Lithium, and NiMH rechargables all with the same result.
I bypassed the tailcap safety features with a polished penny like other posters have advised, and that did almost nothing.
So the question is, why doesn't a "125.2 mW" green laser have enough power to burn anything? That's not the main reason for getting this laser, but it's interesting to do once in a while.