Review of 150mW focusable portable laser from Kaidomain

Whats up laser freaks,
Here it is, straight from here:http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/Produ...px?TranID=4351

As you know, there isn't many adjustable focus green pointers out there, and I always wanted one, so I took a risk and ordered this low cost, high power pointer.

I got it today, and here are few impressions and test results.

First, it looks nice (although that's a thing of personal taste),and even though it resembles RPL and PGL style lasers, it is A LOT smaller. It feels good in the hand and size makes it great for carrying around.

It takes one 18650 battery, just like RPL. It has nice rotating shutter by the front much like PGL lasers. Momentary ON button is located right behind little blue LED hat lights up only when laser is engaged. Battery comes with the laser, as well as a case strategically labeled "Green Laser Pointer"

It has 3 pin T-3 connector on the back which is necessary for engaging the momentary ON/OF button. There is no delay in diode engagement, so it outputs the moment you push the button. I think that is great thing, and I'm glad they didn't copy that delay feature from CNI's models.

Here is quick pros/cons/specs i discovered so far.

Pros:
-Looks and feels good!
- Cheap and powerful, with quite stable beam ( read more on this below)
-Adjustable focus feels good and it makes sense in my opinion. Makes 2.5 turns!
(when ring is turned all the way in one direction it is best collimation, so you don't have to look for best collimation somewhere in the middle when you want it.)


Collimation:
(my measuring is not 100% accurate, but it is in this range ! )

Min. beam divergence measured at 25m = 1.1mRad-1.3mRad
Max projected dot size at 6m = 20x25cm
Convergence : yes!


Beam diameter 1mm-1.2mm

Dot at close range (6m or less) appears to be perfectly round, and very nice, with very clean lens. No scatter what so ever. However, when I twist the ring all the way to the other side and make dot as big as it can be, it is noticeable that it is oval. It measures 20cm x 25cm at distance of 6m. See the photo. It does not appear to be changing as in -mode changing. If it is slight mode shift, it is very slow and minuscule, and it never splits the dot. I will report here if I notice any other related things.

I had the laser for 1-4 minutes at the time. Here are some power measurements:

Tools used:
-Brand New Coherent Laser Check (CLC)
-Kenom Thermal Power meter (KTPM)
-10x10cm IR filter from Dragon lasers

Both units agree: Without external IR filter:
150-168 within first 60sec.

with external IR filter
148-158mW

Power drops down after 2-3 minutes with fresh battery to 70-80mW, and then I turned it off. Same happens sooner (about 40-80 sec.) if battery isn't fresh or isn't rested. Heat sink doesn't get warm, which can mean it is inefficient!

This IR is puzzling me as I expected much lower output measuring with external IR filter.
It this unit seem to output only ~10mW of IR ! I tried two different IR filters from DL. Unless DL IR filters don't block IR :-) I doubt that!
I visually compared my 75-80mW Executive pointer (with iR filter)from WL and this laser, and there is noticable difference in beam visibility. Kaido150 has much brighter beam.

Cons:
No IR filter - as advertised.
Beam comes out of the laser under slight angle. Its not very noticeable, but its there
Front rotating shutter is not as tight as everything else (being little too picky here :-))
No ability to converge the beam for increased burning pleasures. (This is also a very good feature as you don't need to look for best collimation point)
Heat sink questionable so far. Not getting warm much when laser exhibits tiredness after longer ON period.

very good deal in my opinion considering safe and free shipping, and price vs. power/features .