nero_design
Enlightened
Wicked Lasers EVOLUTION (aka: "Evo")
I haven't had a chance to test or review any lasers for more than a while so it was good to get an opportunity recently to handle and use a few newly released models including one from the so-called 'EVOLUTION' series.
This is one from the most recent range of 2007 model lasers from Wicked Lasers. The model I obtained was a +100mW version to test and evaluate and the unit arrived along with a pair of the latest sets of Wicked's laser safety glasses. The EVO differs from other similar lasers produced by WL in that it has a tighter beam at the aperture. The downside of course is that the collimation of the beam allows for a lot more divergence at the far end of the beam's termination.
Appearance
The case of the EVO is slightly longer and a fraction wider than previous pen-type lasers. The new magnetic-latched case was One of the first things to note is that the newer lasers from Wicked don't possess a pocket tang to allow them to clip to a shirt pocket. I find this a little odd but it forces the owner to show a little more repect for the device and to be more cautious about it's use. The EVO case is very light and is machined from aircraft grade alluminium. It takes the usual AAA batteries and has an on-off button that sits flush with the case surface. I found the button to be sensitive to the touch as there was little pressure required to activate the beam. The grip portion of the case has a finely cut cross-hatched pattern to fascillitate a good grip and the Wicked Lasers logo is laser-etched into a flat surface that is machined & recessed into the checkered portion of the casing. A smaller symbol-logo can be found in the end cap.
Performance
My sample is effective and works smoothly without any visible power fluctuations. The EVO is an attractive and yet serious looking laser. Even with the batteries in it, the laser is extremely lightweight due to the Alloy used. The dot is surprisingly tight at distances of 100 feet and compares very closely to the earlier series of "Executive-Elite" lasers available from the same supplier/manufacturer last year. The EVO is certainly similar in performance to earlier mode "Fusion" series lasers. They also had fairly tight beams with a similar divergence. Most of the recent green lasers I've seen have shown an improvement with divergence but they all had a wider aperture emission in relation to the beam width. The EVO appeared to meet it's specifications well and I look forward to more outdoor tests side-by-side two others that I recently tested and photographed (the 2007 'NEXUS' and 2007 'PULSAR' models). Indoors I found the laser capable of cutting through various plastics and fabrics due to the smaller and more concentrated beam at the point of emission. The green 532nm laser light is easily absorbed by red and black plastics and materials. Leather would emit puffs of white smoke instantly on contact with the EVO beam and I was careful to wear the supplied safety glasses to prevent hazardous specular reflections from the materials tested.
Observations
I did find the on-off button to be a little too sensitive IMO and without a positive hard-press needed in order to activate the beam I needed to show a little more caution when handling the laser. There's very little travel on the switch itself so I was unprepared for the quicker activation. There's no "hard click" or even heavy pressure required and this was an unfamilliar experience for me. I was at first annoyed at not being able to light any matches for the camera but I will confess that this turned out to be the matches themselves which had degraded over time and were almost impossible to light with even the emory paper on the side of the matchbox. I'll endeavor to purchase new matches for further photographic experiments. One user reported a tight battery compartment but this was not the case on the model I used although they sat snugly in the compartment tube. The outer surface is a pleasing polished finish which looks quite different to past models. Feels good in the hand and looks a little more like serious lab equipment without the pocket clip found on older models. The magnetic clip on the presentation box was a nice touch and i like the laser overall on a personal level.
Dimentions: 16cm ( 6.3" ) long x 1.5cm wide
Beam: 532nm @ <100mW (actual output on sample was approx <105mW)
Available in outputs from <15mW to <125mW
Divergence: Advertised as <1.5mRad
Warranty: 3 Months
Batteries: 2 x AAA
Current Price: $149 (<15mW) up to $549 (<125mW)
New EVO side-by-side beam comparison with the new NEXUS.
Burning through the UPS package plastic was simple enough.
I haven't had a chance to test or review any lasers for more than a while so it was good to get an opportunity recently to handle and use a few newly released models including one from the so-called 'EVOLUTION' series.
This is one from the most recent range of 2007 model lasers from Wicked Lasers. The model I obtained was a +100mW version to test and evaluate and the unit arrived along with a pair of the latest sets of Wicked's laser safety glasses. The EVO differs from other similar lasers produced by WL in that it has a tighter beam at the aperture. The downside of course is that the collimation of the beam allows for a lot more divergence at the far end of the beam's termination.
Appearance
The case of the EVO is slightly longer and a fraction wider than previous pen-type lasers. The new magnetic-latched case was One of the first things to note is that the newer lasers from Wicked don't possess a pocket tang to allow them to clip to a shirt pocket. I find this a little odd but it forces the owner to show a little more repect for the device and to be more cautious about it's use. The EVO case is very light and is machined from aircraft grade alluminium. It takes the usual AAA batteries and has an on-off button that sits flush with the case surface. I found the button to be sensitive to the touch as there was little pressure required to activate the beam. The grip portion of the case has a finely cut cross-hatched pattern to fascillitate a good grip and the Wicked Lasers logo is laser-etched into a flat surface that is machined & recessed into the checkered portion of the casing. A smaller symbol-logo can be found in the end cap.
Performance
My sample is effective and works smoothly without any visible power fluctuations. The EVO is an attractive and yet serious looking laser. Even with the batteries in it, the laser is extremely lightweight due to the Alloy used. The dot is surprisingly tight at distances of 100 feet and compares very closely to the earlier series of "Executive-Elite" lasers available from the same supplier/manufacturer last year. The EVO is certainly similar in performance to earlier mode "Fusion" series lasers. They also had fairly tight beams with a similar divergence. Most of the recent green lasers I've seen have shown an improvement with divergence but they all had a wider aperture emission in relation to the beam width. The EVO appeared to meet it's specifications well and I look forward to more outdoor tests side-by-side two others that I recently tested and photographed (the 2007 'NEXUS' and 2007 'PULSAR' models). Indoors I found the laser capable of cutting through various plastics and fabrics due to the smaller and more concentrated beam at the point of emission. The green 532nm laser light is easily absorbed by red and black plastics and materials. Leather would emit puffs of white smoke instantly on contact with the EVO beam and I was careful to wear the supplied safety glasses to prevent hazardous specular reflections from the materials tested.
Observations
I did find the on-off button to be a little too sensitive IMO and without a positive hard-press needed in order to activate the beam I needed to show a little more caution when handling the laser. There's very little travel on the switch itself so I was unprepared for the quicker activation. There's no "hard click" or even heavy pressure required and this was an unfamilliar experience for me. I was at first annoyed at not being able to light any matches for the camera but I will confess that this turned out to be the matches themselves which had degraded over time and were almost impossible to light with even the emory paper on the side of the matchbox. I'll endeavor to purchase new matches for further photographic experiments. One user reported a tight battery compartment but this was not the case on the model I used although they sat snugly in the compartment tube. The outer surface is a pleasing polished finish which looks quite different to past models. Feels good in the hand and looks a little more like serious lab equipment without the pocket clip found on older models. The magnetic clip on the presentation box was a nice touch and i like the laser overall on a personal level.
Dimentions: 16cm ( 6.3" ) long x 1.5cm wide
Beam: 532nm @ <100mW (actual output on sample was approx <105mW)
Available in outputs from <15mW to <125mW
Divergence: Advertised as <1.5mRad
Warranty: 3 Months
Batteries: 2 x AAA
Current Price: $149 (<15mW) up to $549 (<125mW)
New EVO side-by-side beam comparison with the new NEXUS.
Burning through the UPS package plastic was simple enough.
