Hi everyone. It's been awhile since I have posted a review, however I recently had the chance to do one on a new Series of lasers that Wicked will be offering.
Elite Series Review
*Note> Will be adding experiments and videos of the laser in action, along with some beam shots (will be taken over the weekend).
Wicked's Upcoming Elite Series consists of high output and high quality in an elegant pen style laser package.
*(pictures are rather large so I only posted links to the pictures)
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_1.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_2.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_3.jpg
Construction/Build Quality
Following Wickeds new trend of simple lines and elegance in their laser housing design, the "Elite Series" seems to be the next step in that direction. The housing is of a Shiny Silver-Titanium/Chrome finish and has a very solid feel compared too many other pen style models. It should also be mentioned that the housing is thicker then most pen-style models (similar to the Evolution and Sonar), but very polished. The thicker housing used seems to distribute heat more effectively.
I will note that on many pen-style laser devices it is hard to clean the lens, save for on CNI models where the aperture cap can easily be unscrewed. A similar feature would have been very nice on this model.
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_4.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_5.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_6.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_7.jpg
Dimensions: (as measured)
15.5 mm wide.
15.4 cm long.
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_8.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_9.jpg
Output:
Label <160mW @532nm
Getting down to business, most people want to know about the raw output power. As with previous reviews I try to include a detailed breakdown of the output over time, including the figures produced through the use of different battery types.
*30 second test period ignoring peak output for average values.
Power Source: 2xAAA Batteries
Alkalines:
Min:168.4mW
Max: 176.3mW
Average: 172.3mW
Peak:225.4mW(not included in average rating)
NiMH:
Min:164.3mW
Max:174.6mW
Average: 169.4mW
Peak:207.4mW(not included in average rating)
Lithium:
Min: 168.6mW
Max: 178.2mW
Average: 173.4mW
Peak:224.5mW(not included in average rating)
Testing:
Numbers are one thing, but actual results can sometimes tell a different story. Below are some tests/experiments I have done with the laser. It should give a good indication of what an "Elite Series" laser is capable of.
*(This section to be filled in once experiments are finished)
Beam Quality *(this unit):
Near flawless beam characteristics are a rare thing among pen lasers. Taking a closer look at the gaussian dot profile reveals very few if any artifacts. A mode of TEM00 is maintained throughout the entire testing period. In fact the beam and dot profile are on par with some of the best I've seen in pen-style lasers (as far as maintaining a gausian TEM00 profile).
Divergence *(this unit):
Official divergence figures are currently unknown, however this unit has a measured divergence of ~0.9mRad.
Stability *(this unit):
This particular unit ranks among the most stable pen laser units I have tested to date. Over a 30 second test period, allowing for a 5 second warm phase the output stability was an amazing ~5-6% fluctuation of the average observed figure. The crystal efficiency in these models would indicate outstanding quality, being superior to many pen lasers that I have tested to date, easily on par with "freak unit crystal sets" that have appeared now and then.
Price: Unknown
Release Date: Unknown
Conclusion:
Over the past few years Wicked has strived to develop lasers of extraordinary quality. We have seen them go right back to the drawing board now and then in order to perfect their product. In my opinion, the "Elite Series" represents all the hard work and effort Wicked has put into developing a truly superior pen-style laser device.
These units contain high quality IR filters and as such are the only laser in this class that I have tested to actually meet the output rating claim of over 150mW (which were not freak units). Simply put, this laser is of the highest quality I have seen in the pen-style laser class to date.
Elite Series Review
*Note> Will be adding experiments and videos of the laser in action, along with some beam shots (will be taken over the weekend).
Wicked's Upcoming Elite Series consists of high output and high quality in an elegant pen style laser package.
*(pictures are rather large so I only posted links to the pictures)
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_1.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_2.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_3.jpg
Construction/Build Quality
Following Wickeds new trend of simple lines and elegance in their laser housing design, the "Elite Series" seems to be the next step in that direction. The housing is of a Shiny Silver-Titanium/Chrome finish and has a very solid feel compared too many other pen style models. It should also be mentioned that the housing is thicker then most pen-style models (similar to the Evolution and Sonar), but very polished. The thicker housing used seems to distribute heat more effectively.
I will note that on many pen-style laser devices it is hard to clean the lens, save for on CNI models where the aperture cap can easily be unscrewed. A similar feature would have been very nice on this model.
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_4.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_5.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_6.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_7.jpg
Dimensions: (as measured)
15.5 mm wide.
15.4 cm long.
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_8.jpg
http://www.childhope.com/other/elite_series/IMG_9.jpg
Output:
Label <160mW @532nm
Getting down to business, most people want to know about the raw output power. As with previous reviews I try to include a detailed breakdown of the output over time, including the figures produced through the use of different battery types.
*30 second test period ignoring peak output for average values.
Power Source: 2xAAA Batteries
Alkalines:
Min:168.4mW
Max: 176.3mW
Average: 172.3mW
Peak:225.4mW(not included in average rating)
NiMH:
Min:164.3mW
Max:174.6mW
Average: 169.4mW
Peak:207.4mW(not included in average rating)
Lithium:
Min: 168.6mW
Max: 178.2mW
Average: 173.4mW
Peak:224.5mW(not included in average rating)
Testing:
Numbers are one thing, but actual results can sometimes tell a different story. Below are some tests/experiments I have done with the laser. It should give a good indication of what an "Elite Series" laser is capable of.
*(This section to be filled in once experiments are finished)
Beam Quality *(this unit):
Near flawless beam characteristics are a rare thing among pen lasers. Taking a closer look at the gaussian dot profile reveals very few if any artifacts. A mode of TEM00 is maintained throughout the entire testing period. In fact the beam and dot profile are on par with some of the best I've seen in pen-style lasers (as far as maintaining a gausian TEM00 profile).
Divergence *(this unit):
Official divergence figures are currently unknown, however this unit has a measured divergence of ~0.9mRad.
Stability *(this unit):
This particular unit ranks among the most stable pen laser units I have tested to date. Over a 30 second test period, allowing for a 5 second warm phase the output stability was an amazing ~5-6% fluctuation of the average observed figure. The crystal efficiency in these models would indicate outstanding quality, being superior to many pen lasers that I have tested to date, easily on par with "freak unit crystal sets" that have appeared now and then.
Price: Unknown
Release Date: Unknown
Conclusion:
Over the past few years Wicked has strived to develop lasers of extraordinary quality. We have seen them go right back to the drawing board now and then in order to perfect their product. In my opinion, the "Elite Series" represents all the hard work and effort Wicked has put into developing a truly superior pen-style laser device.
These units contain high quality IR filters and as such are the only laser in this class that I have tested to actually meet the output rating claim of over 150mW (which were not freak units). Simply put, this laser is of the highest quality I have seen in the pen-style laser class to date.
