Laser Horsepower Advertisement - At the Crankshaft vs. At the Actual Wheels

[platinum]

Hello All,

As many of you are probably well aware, there has been an ongoing debate over the years with a few laser show projector manufacturers and others as to how laser power should be advertised.

I'm going to keep it really simple and I've decided to ask straight-up poll questions instead of letting the snark seep in too much. I used engine horsepower as an analogy because it seems to me that, perhaps, some manufacturers could be taking a cue from the automotive industry when they decide what number to put down when advertising their products.

Enjoy!

- Jonathan

[norty303]

I think they should advertise the rated power of each module (knowing that typically they'll do a bit more) and also the toal power at aperture. This tells you how efficient the optical train is. I don't subscribe to the over rating of projectors 'because of safety' because any laserist evaluating a show should be evaluating each show individually anyway.

[platinum]

I forgot what a pain polls can be in vBulletin.

Apologies if the options are not as apt as could be.

- J

[norty303]

Ah, thought there was something missing when I posted

[JohnYayas]

Ideally each color would be individually measured as they exit the scanner. Anything else is ambiguous.

[platinum]

Ideally each color would be individually measured as they exit the scanner. Anything else is ambiguous.

That's more or less where I was going with option three. I agree. (100 character max per voting option limited me.)

- Jonathan

[dnar]

I voted for rear wheel horsepower. Why?

1. Front wheel drive vehicles are no fun
2. Horsepower feels better than kilo-watts
3. I want power at aperture as this is how I must register the equipment
4. I want power at aperture because this is what I see!

The question should be, what is best, a laser projector with high power or high torque?

[platinum]

The question should be, what is best, a laser projector with high power or high torque?

High torque! (low mRads)

-J

[swamidog]

Also important is power at white balance.

[platinum]

Also important is power at white balance.

Also a good point. I suppose I was focusing on 'overall' power since that's the number most customers are looking at initially.

- J