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Thread: Review of the Wicked Laser Evolution Pro

  1. #1
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    Default Review of the Wicked Laser Evolution Pro

    Review of the Wicked Laser Evolution Pro

    This is a review of the laser only not a discussion about the legalities, as this has been discussed at great length in other threads.

    Im gona start with the bad points, no real reason, just am.

    When i first opened the laser it was covered in a fine black powder, which got everywhere. I am unsure of what this was, im guessing something to do with the finish of the laser. But not impressed by it as it was very messy.








    As i was sent this laser by wicked to review i was unsure of what i was getting and when i opened the laser i still didn’t know. There laser contained no documentation regarding what model it was or how to operate it. There wasn’t even any instructions on which was round to put the batteries in! After working out which way to put the batteries in i couldn’t actually turn it on, again no information was supplied on how to operate it. There is a little black knob on the back of the laser which needs to be turned. Took me a few mins to work that out.

    No documentation was provided regarding laser safety. The laser comes with a <140mw warning label which is separate from the laser. I personally would stick this on but there isn’t actually anywhere to stick it on? I know warning labels aren’t very pretty but they are very important. The laser does come with a kind of safety feature which is a separate switch on the back of the lasers, great idea! But im not 100% it is a solid design, only time will tell. This switch doesn’t need to be turned as i first thought, but its a kind of rod that connects the batteries to the case. it can be fully removed and once remove the laser cannot be operated at all. Maybe this does show wicked do have some regard for laser safety as its a very good feature.



    There was an A4 sheet provided regarding pointer power but the graph was not readable. Also if you had no knowledge of lasers the information provided would be totally useless. The information on the sheet is not clear.



    So all in all the lack of information provided with the pointer was extremely disappointing for something which costs $550.




    Now to the good points.

    The A4 sheet says the average power is 153.1mw (i think), i measured the power and got a reading of 173mw which increased to 175 over the next 30 seconds. So the power is well over spec’ed as on the wicked web site the power is rated at 130mw. I am yet to test the power over a long period, wickeds site say this laser has no duty cycle. Impressive for a pointer.

    Beam measurements. The beam at aperture is less than 1mm, not very clear in my picture. At 3 meters the beam is 5mm, again not very clear in my picture. as expected from any laser beam less than 1mm it does burn very fast.






    The design/build quality.
    The general design is pretty good, with a very nice finish, although the batteries do seem to rattle a little. I love the lens protector / cap, very nice idea and keeps the lens free from dust and dirt. Although it has to be said once you unscrew the cap the finish is very poor.




    All in all wicked laser seem to have produced an good laser pointer, not perfect as there is room for improvement, but good and had i of brought this i wouldn’t be disappointed. Its just a shame there wasn’t a single useful bit of information provided with the pointer about how to operate it or general laser safety. I will defiantly be speaking to wicked about this.








    Last edited by andy_con; 09-28-2009 at 12:25.
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  2. #2
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    Nice review....

    but you need to remember these are not actual production lasers...
    but a free samples...

    All the sample lasers did not have the Warning labels applied...
    All the sample lasers did not come with instructions...
    All the sample lasers (up to now) have been over-spec...
    All the sample lasers came with a chart... granted it looks like their
    printer needs more ink..

    For any info regarding your sample laser... I'm sure all you had to do
    is contact Steve at WL...

    I personally found the chart is quite easy to read... even yours without
    expanding it... all the numbers are there...

    As to compliancy... "buffo" just this morning found that they indeed are
    CDRH compliant... (posts #15 and #17)

    http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=8702


    Jerry
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  3. #3
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    you may have a good point but i didnt know this, as steve didnt mention it.

    as ive said though the laser its self is very good
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  4. #4
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    Nice, fair review. You're the first I've seen to call attention to the lack of safety documentation, and that does need to be addressed. If these are just samples and not true production lasers that's one thing, but safety instructions need to be distributed with each unit that gets sold as official merchandise.

  5. #5
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    yes if the lack of information was just cos it was a sample then fair enough.

    but lots should be provided with the actual pointers
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  6. #6
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    I'm quite sure that these are only samples and not production units...

    IIRC... Production Lasers must have a proper Warning Label and the
    Accession number applied on the laser... And these did not...
    And with all the worl to get an accession number... I wouldn't think
    WL would miss out on displaying it on their Lasers...LOL

    BTW andy-con... to to a divergence measurement... would it not be more
    accurate to do the far measurement using a FlatBlack surface using
    appropriate Safety Laser Goggles (not saying you didn't use any...)

    Jerry
    Last edited by lasersbee; 09-04-2009 at 10:06.
    See the LaserBee II and all other LaserBee LPM products here....
    All LaserBee Laser Power Meter Products

    New 3.2Watt RS232/USB LaserBee II LPM REVIEW


    Always in stock and ready to ship....
    Subsidary:-Pharma Electronic Solutions

  7. #7
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    BTW andy-con... to to a divergence measurement... would it not be more
    accurate to do the far measurement using a FlatBlack surface using
    appropriate Safety Laser Goggles (not saying you didn't use any...)
    it would yes, but at that time i didnt have any greater distance to use.

    also i used googles to get the measurements
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  8. #8
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    Hmmm interesting, mine came with the black powder on it too! I thought the paint was coming off!

    Probably just bits of foam from the friction between the laser and the case during shipping.

    Nice review though

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