The S3 Spyder Arctic G2 445nm directly-injected diode laser (hereinafter, probably just referred to as the "Arctic") is an extremely powerful self-contained, handheld laser.
Since it's been asked of me by the manufacturer to murder this laser, you can visit the evaluation I made for the Arctic RIGHT HERE, as most of the content you want will be found there.
In fact, all you'll find here are a trio of beam terminus photographs, plus spectrographic & beam cross-sectional analyses of this laser -- premortem of course, and the chart showing how long it lasted before it croaked (ie. went to that big diode in the sky).
The LaserShades I received with this Arctic are a LOT more effective at this laser's wavelength than the ones I received with my first Arctic...guess it's time to crank out another review!!!
The lenses, windows, and holographic optics you'll receive when you order the "Expanded Lens Set" are now labelled as to their function.
From left to right in this photograph:
Line effect optic
Cross effect optic
Galaxy effect optic
Focusing (positive) lens
Flashlight effect (diverging) lens
Training "lens" (window)
Standard "lens" (window)
The standard "lens" is AR (antireflective) coated on both sides to maximise light transmission.
Beam photograph on the test target at 12".
Beam image bloomed ***SIGNIFICANTLY***.
The laser power meter I have is simply not capable of measuring the tremendous power output of this laser (est. ~1.0 watt!!!) at maximum candiosity*...er...uh...I mean...maximum POWER.
Measures 40.911mW on "low" with the training lens.
I got a LaserBee laser power meter that can measure up to 2.50W on the afternoon of 06-13-11 (or "13 Jun 2011" or even "Jun 13, Twenty Double Sticks" if you prefer), and can now measure this laser at its maximum output.
Measures 708mW (high) and 83mW (low) on this meter.
Beam photograph on a wall at ~10 feet (low).
Beam photograph on a wall at ~10 feet (high).
Photograph of its beam terminus on snow at ~100 feet.
Short-term stability analysis at maximum CW output; 600 seconds (10 minutes).
This is the SmartSwitch™ button on my first Arctic.
And this is the SmartSwitch™ button on this Arctic.
Note that it is already in the very early stages of paint loss.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low).
Same as above; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 440.95nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high).
Same as above; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength; which appears to be 442.00nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low) *AFTER* the first "kill test" to check for wavelength drift.
Same as above *AFTER* the first "kill test" to check for wavelength drift; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 440.92nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high) *AFTER* the first "kill test" to check for wavelength drift.
Same as above *AFTER* the first "kill test" to check for wavelength drift; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength; which appears to be 442.00nm.
As you can see, virtually no wavelength shift occurred as a result of the Phase 1 of the "kill test" (Phase 2 will entail operating the Arctic at maximum output from an external power source for at least 24 hours continuously; ETA of the power supply board: 12-16-10 (or "16 Dec. 2010" if you prefer).
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low) *AFTER* the second & third "kill tests" to check for wavelength drift.
Same as above *AFTER* the second & third "kill tests" to check for wavelength drift; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 440.92nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high) *AFTER* the second & third "kill tests" to check for wavelength drift.
Same as above *AFTER* the second & third "kill tests" to check for wavelength drift; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 430nm and 445nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength; which appears to be 442.00nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low); spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 438nm and 442nm to (yet) more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 440.992nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high); spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 439nm and 443nm to (yet) more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 441.620nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low); spectrometer's response broadened to its maximum range of 175nm to 874nm to show the total lack of any emissions whatsoever beyond the laser line itself.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high); spectrometer's response broadened to its maximum range of 175nm to 874nm to show the total lack of any emissions whatsoever beyond the laser line itself.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on low); newer spectrometer software settings used.
Same as above; spectrometer's response narrowed to a band between 440nm and 450nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 441.998nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the S3 Spyder Arctic (on high); newer spectrometer software settings used
Same as above (high mode); newer spectrometer software settings used. Spectrometer's response narrowed to a band between 440nm and 450nm to more accurately pinpoint wavelength, which appears to be 440.521nm.
Beam cross-sectional analysis (X-axis; high power).
Beam cross-sectional analysis (Y-axis; high power).
In all four analyses, those circular "blotches" in the beam really do exist; I believe
they are due to motes of dust on the laser diode's output window or collimating lens.
Now, here's the chart you've been waiting for (Don't deny it!!! You know you want to see it!!! )
Measurements were automatically recorded at 20 minute
intervals; unit still lases with no noticeable degradation.
Runs for 8 hours (480 minutes); test was stopped when I ran out of fresh batteries
(the batteries were discharging a bit faster than my three chargers could keep up).
This is with the Arctic on battery power. The next test will be conducted with an external power supply with a Vf of +3.6 volts and can sink at least 1,500mA on a continuous basis.
According to S.L. of Wicked Lasers, the Arctic's laser diode
might not even die......let's hope that this will indeed be the case.
[Video removed by request of the manufacturer]
This video on YourTube shows this laser failing to pop popcorn; though a lot of smoke was generated, the kernel did not pop. I had to shut the test down before the fire alarm went off.
The image is tinted orange because I held laser safety glasses over the camera's lens to minimise image blooming.
This clip is approximately 19.335234777754 megabytes (19,591,638 bytes) in length; dial-up users please be aware.
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[Video removed by request of the manufacturer]
This second video on YourTube shows not one, but TWO (2) of these lasers (this one plus this one) failing to pop popcorn; though a lot of smoke was generated, the kernel did not pop. As with the first test, I had to shut the test down before the fire alarm went off.
I somewhat suspected that something like this might occur; the lasers heated the outer portion of the kernel to the point where smoke was being emitted, but the inner part of the kernel (responsible for it "popping" into the popcorn we all know and love) did not receive sufficient heat to initiate popping because the outer shell of the kernel was absorbing (and consequently "stealing") most of the laser energy; what little was transmitted to the interior cause the water inside to turn to steam (as it's supposed to) but it vented from the kernel instead of causing a pressure buildup and subsequent "popping".
I have what I believe is the (very probable) explanation of why even multiple Arctics failed to pop the popcorn.
Firstly, you need to know a little about how popcorn works: when the kernel is heated, the inner portion (which contains water) heats to above the boiling point of water (212°F {100°C}); the water turns to steam, the interior builds pressure until the outer hull bursts, and POP!!! You see the white fluffy popcorn that most of us are familiar with.
What's happening here is that the Arctic heats up the outer hull very much (to the point of emitting smoke); this weakens the outer hull at that point (possibly even puncturing it) so that pressure can no longer build inside the kernel -- the steam simply vents through the opening burned into the outer hull by the laser instead of causing the kernel to "explode" as it normally would.
This does not in *ANY* way indicate a problem with the laser itself; this is simply a matter of how the laws of physics play out here.
Like before, the image is tinted orange because I held laser safety glasses over the camera's lens to minimise image blooming (they slipped a few times; as evidenced by the image becoming dramatically brighter and with a lot of blue visible in it).
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[Video removed by request of the manufacturer]
This third video on YourTube shows two Wicked Lasers Spyder 3 Arctic 445nm 1W Blue Diode Lasers failing to pop popcorn; though a lot of smoke was generated, the kernel did not pop. I could see the steam venting from one of the holes in the popcorn's hull (outer shell), so I knew with absolute, positive, 100% certainty that it was not going to pop -- and terminated the test shortly thereafter.
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This is what the popcorn kernel looked like after this test. Note the black, burned areas; that's where the Arctics were irradiating it.
Video clip on YourTube showing what an airline pilot or copilot might see if you attempted to hose down the approaching aircraft with a laser pointer from a mile or two out.
Three laser wavelengths were used here:
532nm green.
440nm royal blue.
405nm violet
(the person being irradiated would see this as a deep violet color; not bluish as this video indicates. This is because digital cameras have a tough go of it at wavelengths this short).
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''Cross'' optic for the Wicked Lasers Spyder 3 series shown "malfunctioning" -- it now appears as though this optic was optimised for use on S3 lasers with a larger beam diameter at aperture.
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TEST NOTES:
Test unit was sent by Steve L. of Wicked Lasers for destructive testing (yes, I was specifically asked to commit first degree lasercide of it!!!) on 11-25-10 (or "25 Nov 2010" if you prefer), was received by my intermediary tester on the east coast of the United States at 12:58pm EST on 11-26-10 (or "26 Nov 2010"), was mailed by him to me on 12-01-10 ("01 Dec 2010"), and finally, was received by me for attempted lasercide at 4:44pm PST on 12-03-10 (or "03 Dec 2010").
* The term "candiosity" (pronounced "") refers to a piñata's
level of candy fill; it is also the title of a Viva Piñata episode.
* Operation Doodlebug is a rather obscure Digimon Tamers reference; it entails a computer program used to kill or neutralise the D-Reaper.
I chose this name because I love the Digimon TV series, and the "kill test" is in some ways similar to Operation Doodlebug.
UPDATE: 12-06-10
I added the somewhat dreadful "" icon to this website to indicate that destructive testing has been performed -- naturally, this product received the icon, as did this pair of LaserShades.
UPDATE: 12-08-10
I've been asked by the president of Wicked Lasers to perform "The Popcorn Test" on the Arctic -- this test simply demonstrates that popcorn can indeed be popped simply by irradiating the kernel with the Arctic's beam while the Arctic is at full power.
The test set-up I'll be using looks like this:
The image appears orange because the Arctic 445nm LaserShades (1) that came with my first Arctic were held over the camera's lens. This helps to reduce image blooming, yet still shows sufficient blue that the viewer will know with absolute, positive, 100% certainity that irradiation of the kernel with the Arctic is solely responsible for popping it.
The popcorn to be used for this test should be here by Friday 12-10-10 (or "10 Dec 2010" if you prefer); the video itself should appear on this web page early Saturday. I cannot simply buy popcorn at the store because I use an electric wheelchair that offers no protection from rain, I don't own or have access to a car, and the nearest store is approximately 25 minutes away, one-way via the wheelchair.
UPDATE: 12-13-10
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of a tritium Glow Ring when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 12-15-10
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of three more objects when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 12-16-10
Being a CDRH Class 4 device, in the United States the Arctic must have (in addition to the existing safety features) but does not have:
1: Mechanical beam shutter
2: LED (or other light source) emissions indicator (The Arctic does have LEDs, but they do not actually indicate whether or not laser radiation is being generated)
Therefore, at least ½ a star has to come off its rating.
UPDATE: 12-18-10
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of two more objects when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 12-21-10
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of two more objects when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 12-25-10
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of two more objects when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 01-13-11
This video shows both of my Wicked Lasers Spyder 3 Arctic 445nm 1W Blue Diode Lasers shooting into snowfall.
Video taken at 8:04pm PDT on 01-11-11 (or "11 Jan. 2011" or even "Jan. Double Sticks, Twenty Double Sticks" if you prefer.
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***VERY IMPORTANT!!!***
I made absolutely, positively, 100% certain that no aircraft of any type were in the vicinity when this video was made!!!
UPDATE: 01-18-11
Performed spectroscopy of fluorescence of three tritium (self-luminous) objects when irradiated with this laser.
UPDATE: 03-02-11
The 24-hour "kill test" (maximum output continuous run test with a duration of 24 hours) is now in progress.
It was started at 9:50am PST on 03-01-11 (or "01 Mar 2011" or even "Mar 01, Twenty Double Sticks" if you prefer.
Laser temperature was measured at 98.00°F (36.67°C) after ~90 minutes, with ambient temperature in the testing area at the time of 69.00°F (20.55°C).
Laser temperature was measured at the "head", where the laser diode lives.
Laser temperature at 5:25 into the test was measured at 99.00°F (37.22.°C).
Just under 19 hours into the test, laser temperature measures 103.50°F (39.72°C), with ambient temperature in the testing area at the time of 70.50°F (21.38°C).
UPDATE: 03-03-11
OPERATION DOODLEBUG II* HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED!!!
Now, here's the chart you've been waiting for (Don't deny it!!! You know you want to see it!!! )
As you can see, Operation Doodlebug II was a dismal failure -- but hold on here -- "failure" in this case is actually a very good thing!!!
Those "bumps" or "hitches" near the beginning of this chart are of unknown causality, but I do not believe the laser itself is at fault here.
It was operating at maximum candiosity*...er...uh...POWER for a full 24 hours, and there was no output power degradation of any concern!!!
Measurements were automatically recorded at 1,800 second (30 minute) intervals. Laser temperature critical...er...uh...LASER TEMPERATURE at the conclusion of the test was measured at 102.50°F (39.16°C).
Many thanks go to D. Klipstein in Philadelphia PA. USA for constructing the voltage regulator circuit used for this test that enabled me to power the Arctic from my laboratory power supply in leiu of batteries.
UPDATE: 03-04-11
OPERATION DOODLEBUG III* HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED!!!
It was operating at maximum power for a full 25 hours (not 24 like last time), and there was only very, very minor power output degradation (a few milliwatts tops).
Measurements were automatically recorded at 1,800 second (30 minute) intervals.
Laser temperature at the conclusion of the test was measured at 101.50°F (38.61°C).
UPDATE: 04-22-11
I found the following brief piece about the Arctic in the "Manufacturer's Showcase" section in this month's issue of Laser Focus World magazine:
UPDATE: 06-14-11
I got a LaserBee 2.5W USB Laser Power Meter yesterday, and wasted no time in measuring this laser with it.
Measures 708mW (high) and 83mW (low) on this meter.
UPDATE: 06-26-11
Here are a pair of videos that the manufacturer requested:
Here's how to get "high power" mode to function properly in the Wicked Lasers Spyder S3 445nm Arctic blue diode laser.
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If your S3 Arctic Spyder laser is not going into high power or staying in high power, or if your S3 Arctic Spyder is acting strange, try this.
Take a small piece of aluminum foil about one half by one and a half inches. Fold it in half so it is now one quarter by one and a half inches long.
Take off the end cap, lay the foil across the positive tip of the battery and make sure the foil is touching the threads on the inside of the laser as you put the
end cap back on.
Be sure to not get the foil in between the threads of the cap and laser as you screw on the cap as it can jam up the threads and ruin the laser.
The Smart Switch™ should be lit now. Click the end power switch on and off several times. The Smart Switch™ should always stay on now with the aluminum foil in place.
Now use the laser, if it works okay now, the problem is with the end cap.
Remember to take the aluminum foil out of the laser when you are done using it, otherwise it will slowly drain the battery over a period of time. Be sure to tilt the laser's back end downward as you take the end cap off so there is no chance of the aluminum foil getting up inside the laser past the battery.
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Please be advised that my voice sucks in these videos because I had some rather serious brain surgery in late-2002.
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MANUFACTURER: Wicked Lasers
PRODUCT TYPE: Portable directly-injected royal blue-emitting (=440.95nm {low} and 442.00nm {high}) diode laser module
LAMP TYPE: Casio blue-emitting laser diode
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Very narrow spot; it's a laser, remember?
SWITCH TYPE: Arm/disarm button & interlock dongle on tailcap; pushbutton on/mode change/off on barrel
CASE MATERIAL: Hard-anodized aluminum
BEZEL: Metal; has aperture (hole) for laser beam to emerge
BATTERY: 1x 185650 rechargeable cell; I believe 1,400mAh capacity
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 370mA (minimum CW output) to 1,080mA (1.080A) (maximum CW output)
WATER- AND URANATION-RESISTANT: Yes
SUBMERSIBLE: FOR CHRIST SAKES NOOOOO!!!
ACCESSORIES: Protective "LaserShades" laser eyewear, zippered pouch for them, cleaning cloth for them, training lens, 7 other specialty lenses, "Class IV LASER" sticker, 18650 cell, charger, presentation case
SIZE: 35.80mm D by 228mm L
WEIGHT: 360.60g (12.72 oz.) incl. battery
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: China
WARRANTY: 90 days
Do you manufacture or sell an LED flashlight, task light, utility light, module, or small-frame laser of some kind?
Want to see it tested by a real person, under real working conditions? Do you then want to see how your light or laser did? If you have a sample available for this type of
real-world, real-time testing, please contact me at ledmuseum@gmail.com.
Unsolicited flashlights, LEDs, and other products appearing in the mail are welcome, and it will automatically be assumed that you sent it in order to have it tested and evaluated for this site.
Be sure to include contact info or your company website's URL so visitors here will know where to purchase your product.
This page is a frame from a website. If you arrived on this page through an outside link,you can get the "full meal deal" by clicking here.
ALL NONLASER SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN WEB PAGE!!!
...let's hope that this will indeed be the case.
") refers to a piñata's
" icon to this website to indicate that destructive testing has been performed -- naturally, this product received the icon, as did this pair of LaserShades.
=440.95nm {low} and 442.00nm {high}) diode laser module 
