Hi guys.
I've just found this fantastic new passtime and learning fast; I hope my questions aren't too basic or unuseful.
I'm at the point where I'm ready to make my first big purchase, but it all seems a bit of a minefield compared with other hobbies.
My main concern is quality; I'd rather pay a little more for reliability and durability than anything else.
I have a budget of between $400 and $700.
I much prefer the concept of using standard batteries (sizes, AAA, AA, C, and D etc...) rather than 18650's because of the more stable future battery source.
I was thinking about 18650's in the sense that I might just get a lifetime's supply from the start (say 10 batteries), but told by someone that they only last a short while before losing charge ability for not being used. Is this correct?
Does anyone else think that 18650's are more risky than C's?
My main problem with 18650's is protected Vs unprotected (some lasers insist on non-protected as they already have protection circuits built in, apparrently.
Also, the supply of 18650's; in the uK there isn't a single reliable supplier I can find. I might have to go international each time I need new batteries, and with such a non-mainstream battery as the 18650, it seems like a real risk.
As for the ideal brand? I was thinking of Laserglow, but they ask for almost 40% more than rival, identically specced units from the likes of Dragon Lasers and Techlasers.
I find it really hard to justify such a huge price-hike for brand alone.
Does anyone else think it's really worth the extra cost to buy from Laserglow?
Also, there's the Techlasers Infiniti series that look exactly the same as Dragon Lasers Viper series, and Nova Lasers X-series. Are they all the same?
Techlasers do go out of their way to prove that theirs are genuine CNI's, so I'm pretty convinced there, only that I have no idea how good CNI are?
Anyone have any idea how long I ought to expect a Infiniti/Viper/X 125mW unit to last for with proper use and care?
Finally, there's Optotronics and their PPL/RPL series.
Does anyone have any opinions about them and their models?
They appear to have high quality and reliable models at good prices, although they also seem to be a smaller, less professional outfit. For example, their stance on 7 day satisfaction periods. Absolutely don't support this issue, even though in the UK it's a statutory obligation for all distance sellers such as Optotronics.
Anyway guys, I hope you can help me find my way here and I'll happily carry out an extensive review (short and long term) on whichever unit I buy.
All the best.