First off I think it's a 'Good Thing' that Wicked is now offering these new diodes in a pointer package. The pointer itself looks slick, nice aluminum body and all.
I can't blame Wicked for the cost either. The price on these Nichia violet LD's is still ludicrous. A lot of the cost is the simply because it's a new device and they are still working out the manufacturing glitches, but some of it is simply patent bullshit too.
Personally I would never spend 2K for this pointer. Perhaps 200... not $2000.00
I like 'direct injection' laser diodes for their simplicity and efficiency. Unfortunately laser diodes are currently only available on either end of the visual spectrum - red and violet. To get colors in the heart of the visual spectrum (450-650 nm) one still has to use DPSS tech. There are many LEDs available (different colors) however unfortunately the same cannot be said for laser diodes. Most of the very expensive economic drivers for laser diodes came about because of CD/DVD players. From this technology they trickled down to pointers. Unfortunately I fear with the development of these violet laser diodes we may never see any laser diodes in the heart of the visual spectrum as the economic drivers for their development will not be there. Most manufacturers are only interested in violet as it allows them to cram for pits onto a disk (higher capacity).
These laser diodes (390-410 nm) are really violet, not blue. Apparently the spot usually appears white as most materials flouresce when hit with radiation at this freq. Blacklight laser. You could also spot-tan yourself with one of these lasers. Since the sensitivity of the eye is poor to these frequencies a 20 mW laser prolly will appear no brighter than a keychain red laser.
Geek stuff. Here's an interview with the lead developer (Nakamura) of these violet laser diodes (2000):
http://www.sciencewatch.com/jan-feb2000/sw_jan-feb2000_page4.htm
Here's an interesting link to an animation showing the various steps needed to create a laser violet diode. Unfortunately I found no way to link directly to the animation.
So, click:
http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/SlideShow/index.html
Then, under 'topics' click on 'p-n junctions'. Then using the arrows (upper right) you'll have to click 21-22 times to the right. This will get you to a little quicktime animation (MOCVD) showing the various layers that have to be deposited to create on of these LD's. You can see the exquisite nano-scale control needed.
NICHIA laser diode specs:
http://www.nichia.co.jp/product/laser-main.html
(apparently Nichia is developing true blue laser diodes - 440-460 nm - i'm afraid to ask the cost tho)