G4LED
Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 26
Location: Holmfirth UK
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 Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:05 am Post subject: GREEN LASER POINTER |
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GREEN LASER POINTER
Following Tony's question in Summer about these devices, I finally purchased one. The pointers available were researched at length on the Internet. It was found that here in the UK the power ouput is restricted to 1mW which seemed a low figure. Last year I had seen demonstrated a much higher output so it was going to be a compromise-being able to see the beam on the one hand and battery life on the other. The cost of those small hearing aid type button cells is exorbitant so I wanted a pointer with the cheaper AAA sized cells, commonly used in our TV remote IR controllers.
Prices generally ranged from about £25 to well over a greedy £80.
I settled on the SP32 Green Laser Pointer 5mW & Case. With a family 90th birthday imminent there was some urgency. Ordered by email from Broadhurst Clarkson & Fuller of Telescope House, it was delivered the following day.
A slim, pencil like, quality feeling metal tube with pocket clip; metal case (like a spectacle case) for base storage. The laser is highly convenient to slip into one's pocket.
Inserting the two batteries is effected by unscrewing an end cap. Oddly (I thought) they go in button (positive) end last. Unlike any torch I have ever known. Popped the tube in my pocket and thought no more about it whilst waiting a short time for dusk. It was a short time too as there was distinct trouser discomfort-the barrel was decidedly hot!
Rapid dissassembly showed the reason. A long way down the narrow barrel could be seen the compresson spring which bears on the battery button negative terminal. This tapered spring was skewed off-centre, shorting the cells to the casing and producng an inadvertent pocket warmer!
It turned out to be impossibly tight to effect a repair down the long narrow barrel and there was no obvious way of taking out the rogue loose spring or 'the works'. It seemed part detached from the adjacent electronics pcb.
A quick email to Telescope House and an assurance that a replacement would be sent. Panic was setting in with only two days before the family gathering.
The replacement arrived the following day and has performed faultlessly ever since. For £24.99 delivered this has to be value for money. Telescope House has an after-sales service second to none and my grateful thanks to them.
In use? The pointer works admirably and is thoroughly recommended. The power level is a good balance of effectiveness and safety, though care where pointing it has to be exercised. An eye needs to be kept looking for straying aircraft, not always readily visible.
First you get over the excitement of blasting the local parked vehicle rear reflectors and number plates, the odd street sign 'exploding' in a kaleidescope of relections etc. Then the serious stuff.
The problems of star indication to onlookers are banished. It is easier for them if they stand close behind your shoulder as the beam is then much more obvious. Also the atmospheric dust levels vary considerably, but I wouldn't be without this useful tool.
In fact late night dog walking with the device is a must. Along with my Pentax 8x24 bins and the hound. So much easier to point out night sky features when appropriate. She still doesn't know Antares from Polaris but then neither...
g4led
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"Holme Valley Weather" Davis Vantage Pro+ station; XT10 Orion Intelliscope(frontspiece) |
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