So... Here it goes. *long rant*

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Spec

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Nov 10, 2004
Messages
156
I was "tinkering" with the larger lasers the other day and someone sent me a message stating that "your webpage was posted in a sellers forum under a thread for modification!"

I got to the forum 4 hours later after I left my "lab" (Who am I kidding, its a table with toys on it.) and it had already been deleted. No big deal, I ended up getting a cache file from someone and saw what was going on.

I must ask the collective users of CPF: Why was I being berated with such phrases like "he(spec) doesnt know what the hell he is doing, my seller roxXxorS tEh BIg oOnEE!11!!" and "hes such a noob." and "spec's a f-ing liar!" or "ya know, those pictures he(spec) put up on the webpage look like fakes" fallowed up with "yea, they are fake, come on, look at em, the point is so "dim" in comparison!"

Think about this for a moment.

I HAVE NOTHING AT STAKE BECAUSE I AM NOT SELLING POINTERS, MUCH LESS "MODIFIED" ONES. MY "PRODUCT" IS FREE.

I was asked "Why do you think the thread was deleted so quickly?" I have a theory for that one: Just what do you think would happen if owners popped the button and "tweaked" the potentiometer and found that it had already been done and all this talk about "high power, from factory, quality modification, perfect crystal junk was just that, junk? And if there is a special process behind the unit why can't owners just send the pointer back for "upgrade service" instead of ONLY being able to order it that way?

Me faking pictures?... Aside from the question "Why would anyone fake a picture to make it look WORSE?" Think about that one... Who stands a greater loss for having "normal" pictures on their site? I submit to you, pictures I made a while ago that make a 50mW argon laser look like a multi watt argon.

http://www.specwhore.com/temp/laser/generic/

DSC00369.JPG


Please pay special attention to image above and see if you notice some picture similarities like un-natural grain, hue distortion, radian blurs, and if you run it through a photo editing program you will see that the whitepoint is astronomically high and the exposure time is massive. Hell, I even smoked in the room to give it the look of having an extra couple watts. With that said and knowing that most people won't be able to check the unit after they recieve that, could I not sell that for quite a lot more money that a 50mW argon if I labeled it as conciderably higher? It looks like one hell of a laser! No one else has one like it, its custom!, modified!, come on!, be the envy of everyone on your block!, only 500% markup from what I payed for it! Lets go!

I ask you, now who is the fool? Damn sure not me, I have your money, and if you want a return because it looks "dimmer" than in the pictures, no problem! Ive made a lot of money off you and returning it NO QUESTIONS ASKED is easy because I will resell the unit after I clean it up, and send you one almost exactly like it. You spending that much money and it not being there will make you think its a lot brighter than when you get it back. Its psychology and one hell of a marketing strategy.

THATS BAD BUSINESS. PERIOD.

I put together that webpage to keep people from being ripped off by the "snake oil salesmen" trying to make a quick buck and I figured the only way of doing that was to make a webpage showing EXACTLY how it is done.

Is 15 seconds with a semi efficient pointer and jewelers screwdriver really worth $300 bucks?

I have noticed complaints that some of the lasers have been tested at only 30mW when they are being sold as 50mW versions and heres why. To get that efficiency with a 100-150mW diode it would require the diode to be over driven, crystals that are PERFECT in the classical sense, temperature tuning them SEPERATELY with peltier elements to precise temeratures, perfect allignment, and super clean optics. All of which you wont find in a $50 pointer.

Ask around. You will start to notice that people have been saying, "Ya know, I bought 2 high power units of the same type and 1 looks a lot dimmer, I have been assured that its just dirty lenses on the inside"

Please think before you get ripped off. It hurts the market when this happens. Why do you think they are moving to the APC feedback units? Its not to add a LED for safety reasons. Its because they have to tightly regulate the diode current to keep the pointers from being harmful.

There is over a half million dollar fine for importing illegal 3b laser pointers as 3a pointers. And to be honest, the is no set "fine" like speeding tickets. They can set it to whatever they want. Why would the manufacturer "make a special batch of units for the seller and label it as a 3a incorrectly" and thusly risk that much money?

Just think people. Please think. And don't believe that because you payed that much for something its really that expensive.

I hope this answers your questions. Im tired of getting hate mail from clients of these people and being threatened, ANONYMOUSLY no less, to "remove my site or else..." under the guise of the US-DMCA.

Think about that also, why would anyone threaten me with legal action if I don't remove my site unless they have something to lose from it? Thats one of the core reasons why the US legal system is in place: To protect "property", be it intellectual, or physical.

Admins: As usual, you have administrative override pertaining to the contents of this message, just notify me if it needs to be reworded or removed. I like you guys, you put together a forum with a large user base that allows the exercise of the first amendment so messages like this can exist and possibly inform the masses. Thank you Sasha(and others if I missed them)
 
*Claps*

Very nice rant.

I happen to believe that your guide was very very handy, very accurate and also makes all those people that are selling pot-modded lasers on the 'net obsolete and if that's their cheap way of making a few extra $$ of course they're going to threaten you.

To be perfectly honest - it's BS. As hard as it is, Just leave the pathetic where they lay and continue doing what you're doing.

They don't deserve the attention you're giving them.
 
Spec... I apologize for my ignorant question... but...

This didn't happen here on CPF, did it??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon8.gif
 
Enigma: Thank you for your kind words, they are truely appreciated.

I figured out early on the comments I have been recieving are junk and treated them as such. Sadly enough, I rather expected them. Even with this known it still grates at my nerves that certain seller(s) feel that it is best to bash someone into the ground to maintain profitability in a completely fictional market.

I have resolved to "play hardball" Thats what this post is about. 1 part egotism, 2 parts disgust, shaken and brought to a low boil. Now if enough people listen and get smart I feel this "market" will deflate much to my content.

Sasha: I am sorry for any confusion I may have caused. The communications I am making reference to happened at a completely different forum. I talked to a good friend of mine who used to be a lawyer 20 some odd years ago, and we felt it better to be extremely vague about the location just in case they do result to litigation.

On a side note: Does your listed email address work, sasha*at*candlepowerforums ? I would like to talk with you. I assure you I usually dont bite unless provoked... As demonstrated in the original post. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Keep up the Good Work Spec!....It is the unselfish sharing of information, like yours, that enable interested learners like me, to be a hobbyist. Thank You!
 
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Good one spec /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif

Firstly, I apologise for another long rant but as 'Spec' I feel people should know the facts so here is what I have experienced with my greenies and I couldn't care less about the companies who are losing bucks beacause we spilt their beans -
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/aaa.gif

Yes I had the same suspisions when I bought a supposedely 'light sabre' from ebay for about $200 and it would be 'professionally modified' before dispatch to 25mw - (this was before I discovered you lot). I was very disapointed when I took it apart to learn that this was just a 5mw with the pot turned up.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif
(All them bucks extra just for that).

But, thanks to you and the rest of the laser community I have modified my own new 5mw along with the polarisation mod and got to about 38-42mw steady after a few seconds and posted a guide myself on modification of leadlights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Just for curiousity though and to give the company another chance to prove the reviews I have heard - I have ordered a second laser but the best they do - 45mw from ebay ($300) but upon receipt only measured 24-27mw /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif on my new 532nm analogue meter and without opening and void warranty I sent it straight back and they said they would have it checked out.

It is in the post now - so we shall see if it has got a fault or they really do perform something other than just turning the pot - as I've found from experience the leadlight hardly ever get better that 25mw with the pot mod alone.

But, yes for the time being, it appears that some companies (excluding WL so far) are running a scam for our hard earned cash as I've never heard of a failing leadlight from the pot mod alone and you certainly don't need any experience in opto-electronics to turn a screw.

I feel cheated and ripped off!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I'll keep you all posted on the return of my extreme. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif

Respect to you 'Spec.'
 
Naturally they just turn the pot!
Their lasers never exceed 300mA of current, so it's the max current the pot mod allow.

But if you buy a laser from this company you will be assured that your laser has the right efficiency to get 50mW with 300mA.
If you buy a 5mW and turn the pot, you can't be sure of the final power you will have. Not all the Leadlight are the same power potential.
The proof : my first 5mW (Apinex.com), I was able to mod it and obtained near 100mW! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The second (Atlasnova) : no more than 10mW /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Of course I did the same modifications on the two lasers (pot + resistors + circuit mod).

Now you have the choice : giving 350$ to a company to have a 50mW, or buy a 79$ 5mW and have luck to be able to boost it to a correct level (note that you can buy 4 Leadlight for the price of one 50mW).

Just a suggestion : don't buy a 5mW from this company, I think they test all the pointers with 300mA and keep the efficient lasers to sell more expensively, so their 5mW can be very inefficient!
 
Yes that company sounds familiar, hint hint /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif 'extreme.'

As I said above I am waiting for my extreme to be delivered back to me as when verified with my laser meter - only 24-27mw yes thats the same power as the 25mw I bought from them a few weeks before but different price tag /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

However only time will tell when I get it back so I won't start yet - they have a chance to prove the reviews and that they are not trying to pull the same stunt other comapnies are doing!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif

I must admit I did think this comapny was an exception when my 25mw arrived and I was very happy with the service but we shall see /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mpr.gif
 
Reading some other forums it seems to me that a lot of the extremes are running lower than specified and are getting sent back - are they assuming we don't own another laser to compare and we wouldn't actually measure it ourselves?

I don't think it boils down to the 'professional' equipment when a 25mw measures fine but a 45mw gives the same reading on the same meter.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banned2.gif

Sorry to keep going on about it but it does sort of get to you after while. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Oh and thanks to Sasha for keeping CPF up and running, we respect you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif
 
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LaserModifier said:
Oh and thanks to Sasha for keeping CPF up and running, we respect you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif

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Agreed - this is a great, friendly place and I also run a couple forums and know what it's like to have people there that are not always the best. You're doing a great job - keep up the great work!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Well my faith in WL has been restored as they have been in touch...I can't wait to get the extreme...at the power it should be 45mw I'll be very happy with it as the current does not exceed 300ma - /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif
 
Not happy with wicked lasers, i dont even know if mine was under powered.. i sent it back cos the freckles round the dot got alot more.. still no email saying they recieved it, been 8 days now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif i just hope i havent been ripped off (again) like i was last time paid for game cube and never got it (on ebay)... aghh
 
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sbk said:

Just a suggestion : don't buy a 5mW from this company, I think they test all the pointers with 300mA and keep the efficient lasers to sell more expensively, so their 5mW can be very inefficient!

[/ QUOTE ]

hi-so what green laser sellers would you recommend i get a 5mw unit from-i am in australia, so they need to ship internationally
 
Well, I don't know what to think, I've heard a lot of good reviews about WL's and how they know how to treat their customers.

I have to say that I have not hit the roof with them yet as I can quite accept that sometimes things are bought that are faulty and it may have been caused by dropped during shipping etc. Lets just say I am neither for or against WL, they seem to be genuine so far... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BTW, the freckles on the beam is caused by internal fogging of the lense - or condesation, there is a ventilation hole at the back of the diode but is no good with the batteries in and the end cap screwed on - simply leave it overnight with the cap removed - also try to clean the aperture lense.

I would allow upto 2weeks for shipping over the atlantic. Have you tried the tracking service?
 
[ QUOTE ]
sbk said:

Just a suggestion : don't buy a 5mW from this company, I think they test all the pointers with 300mA and keep the efficient lasers to sell more expensively, so their 5mW can be very inefficient!


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hi-so what green laser sellers would you recommend i get a 5mw unit from-i am in australia, so they need to ship internationally

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There are many dealers on the net who sales Leadlight : www.apinex.com (Canada, I got my better laser there), www.abeland1.com (USA, got a bad laser), on eBay, etc
 
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