Got KD 3304 today

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=3304

It seems pretty bright in the middle of the day. It is heavy. It has a fairly decent feeling forward clickie that doesn't exactly click. (well okay it does just not very loud).

Hits a tree that is well lit by sunlight.

Will know a LOT more in about 7 hours....

 

[IgorT]

I got the same one today as well. I have to say it's great! I just love it.


The beam is visible indoors even during daytime with some smoke, while my 200 - 300mW reds are hard to see under the same conditions.

During night, it is visible even with very bright lights. Outside it looks just amazing.

This laser is more than worth the money and even the one month wait.. I ordered another two, and got lucky - they sent them almost immediatelly this time.

I will be measuring the power and IR leaking shortly, to see if they are of a consistent quality. Otherwise, these were already reviewed on this forum.


The only imperfection is a slightly dirty output. I only noticed it now that it is dark. It projects a star like pattern on the wall, around the dot.

I wonder if the lense could be cleaned...

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I have no way to tell how bright it is, but it impresses me BIG TIME outside in the dark!

It is wicked to see the beam!

I have a 5mW and a 30mW coming (hopefully) from DX. The 5 to play with cats. And the 30 because I thought it looks kewl!

Besides cat playing I really have no use for these things but what fun!!!

 

[Tachikoma]

Mine came a couple days ago, a good laser for its price but it doesn't seem like a 50mw, it's almost like my Wickedlasers Core (5mw) in brightness :shakehead

 

[IgorT]

These were measured at up to 70mW peak, stabilizing at around 45-50mW, with freshly charged 3V rechargables.

3.6V rechargables make it brighter, but could kill it.


It is possible or even likely, that there are big differences in the output between them. I will know more when i get the other two, and measure the output.


Mine is visually very close to the brightness of a >100mW green, which can easily light a match. Comparing the beam of course, the spot is much brighter with the more powerfull one.


For this price, it's a wonderfull laser.

 

[IgorT]

These were measured at up to 70mW peak, stabilizing at around 45-50mW, with freshly charged 3V rechargables.

3.6V rechargables make it brighter, but could kill it.


It is possible or even likely, that there are big differences in the output between them. I will know more when i get the other two, and measure the output.


Mine is visually very close to the brightness of a >100mW green, which can easily light a match. Comparing the beam of course, the spot is much brighter with the more powerfull one.


For this price, it's a wonderfull laser no matter what.



EDIT: Oh, and that star like pattern around the dot on mine dissapeared again. Might have been a small hair or something. Now the output is very clean again.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Since I currently have no other greenie to compare it to I think it's fine!

In my quality dark outside after poker game last night some of the smokers were VERY impressed!

Some day a 5mW pen and a 30mW flashlight looking laser should be here from DX.....

 

[xonid]

Question for you guys - Are you guys using primaries or rechargeables? If rechargables what do you recommend?

I ordered one last week, unfortunately I have to wait for another item on the order, so it may be a while.

Thanks

 

[IgorT]

Question for you guys - Are you guys using primaries or rechargeables? If rechargables what do you recommend?

I am using a rechargable 3V CR2.

I got them at DX, but they have them at KD as well. A pack of four at KD costs only a little more, than a pack of two.


You have to make sure you get 3V ones. 3.6V Li-Pos have 4.2V when full, which could be too much, since these lasers are not regulated, and the current only depends on the battery voltage. Some people have succesfully used them, but others killed their lasers this way.

The 3V rechargables have around 3.6V when fully charged, but this quickly drops to 3.3V. I usually recharge them before they drop below 3V, which means my KD50s are much brighter than they would be on primaries. If i use the included battery, the beam looks very dim in comparison.


I checked the current, and when the rechargables are completelly full, it momentarily peaks at 350 - 380mA and quickly drops to 310mA where it remains for a while. With the primary cell it was 280mA or less.


I will be replacing the drivers in all three of mine with proper current regulated ones, set to 350mA or slightly less. After that, the brightness won't depend on the battery charge anymore. For that i will need 3.6V CR2s.


The batteries i am using right now are these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.932

Or at KD:
https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4218
http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=1259

These batteries would allow you to get the most out of your laser, without pushing it too far. You need a charger with a 3V setting for them.