Wicked Lasers
From Laser Wiki
Wicked Lasers creates world's finest compact high-powered lasers for outdoors, self-defense, military, law enforcement, and general. Built on a foundation of durability, quality and value, Wicked Lasers leads the industry in delivering functionally innovative lasers and laser accessories.
Founded in 2004, this Shanghai-based company has since achieved world renown for its products and world-class service. Wicked Lasers is a record holder in the 2007 Guinness World Book of Records and its products have been featured by various television shows and print media such as the Discovery Channel, the New York Times, Wired and Maxim just to name a few.
Designed and developed by some of the world’s best engineers, new products are constantly under development at Wicked Lasers, but they are introduced only when Mr. Steve Liu, the company’s CEO, is personally satisfied that their design and execution stand up to Wicked Lasers standards.
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[edit] Products
Wicked Lasers sells the following products:
[edit] Executive series
The Executive green lasers are probably the most popular high-powered lasers from Wicked Lasers. This series comes in six models, 15 mW ("Classic"), 35 mW ("Advanced"), 55 mW ("Extreme"), 75 mW ("Phoenix"), 95 mW ("Nexus") and 125 mW ("Fusion"). In December 2006, Wicked Lasers switched from the CNI-manufactured lasers to its own design, although the CNI models can still be purchased from Starphaser, an affliate of Wicked Lasers.
[edit] Elite series
The Elite series lasers are similar to the Executive series ones but are more powerful in general. They come in three models, 100+ mW, 125+ mW and 150+ mW.
[edit] Signature series
The Signature series lasers are special edition lasers. It is the same as the Executive series in terms of technical specifications. These lasers have a special design on the body and cost somewhat more than the Executive series lasers. Currently, it is available only in 75 mW, although 95 and 125 mW models were given away in previous contests.
[edit] Photonic Disruptor
The Photonic Disruptor is a green laser that allows users to adjust the focus. Wicked claims that the Photonic Disruptor is generally reserved for law enforcement, and it is currently publicly available only in 100 mW.
[edit] Spyder II series
The Spyder II series was released in December 2006 and replaces the original Spyder series. The unique feature of the Spyder is the thermoelectric heat sink, allowing for a compact laser with continuous duty cycle. The green Spyder ("Spyder Gx") is designed to output 200 mW and the blue Spyder ("Spyder Bx") is designed to output 15 mW. Wicked Lasers previously made a red Spyder ("Spyder Rx"), but it was never sold due to quality issues.
[edit] Spyder III series
The Spyder III series is expected to be released in the Summer or Fall of 2009. Little is known at this time, but it is rumored that Wicked Lasers will offer a 400 mW model.
[edit] CORE
The CORE is a 5 mW green laser pointer sold by Wicked Lasers and is designed to continuously output 5 mW. The CORE underwent a price increase some time in 2007, although it is still possible to buy it at the original price from the eBay user guitmath, which is Wicked's official eBay distrubutor. [1]
[edit] Sonar II
The Sonar II is a portable 405 nm laser designed to burn. It has a peak output of 60 mW but is pulsed.
[edit] Pulsar series
The Pulsar series lasers are red diode lasers. Despite a large beam diameter, the Pulsar series lasers feature "negative divergence" in which the beam focuses before diverging again. The Pulsar series lasers come in 75, 100 and 125 mW models. Wicked Lasers previously sold a 150 mW model, but it was discontinued due to too many problems.
[edit] Reference series
The References series lasers are lab-grade lasers. They come in three configurations, 1 W at 532 nm, 200 mW at 473 nm and 500 mW at 635 nm. As of November 2008, the References series lasers are out of stock.
[edit] The Torch
The Torch is a high-intensity flashlight that uses a halogen bulb. At the time of release, it was claimed to be the most pwoerful flashlight, although those that are more powerful than the Torch have been released since. At close distances, the Torch can ignite paper.
[edit] Sport Elite goggles
The Sport Elite goggles are the safety goggles manufactured by NoIR and sold by Wicked Lasers. They were succeded by the LaserShades goggles. Currently, the only available model protects against 532 nm light, although Wicked previously sold a model that blocked red light.
[edit] LaserShades goggles
The LaserShades are a cheaper alternative to the Sport Elite goggles. They block less light but are considered to be more comfortable. Wicked Lasers previously included free goggles with any laser purchase. This offer has been discontinued, but the prices of lasers have gone down since.
[edit] Optics
Wicked Lasers carries a limited variety of optics, although one of its best selling products is the cap set, which allows users to focus the beam to a smaller area. The cap set only works with the Executive series lasers.
[edit] Miscellaneous accessories
Wicked Lasers also sells various other products, such as balloons and battery chargers. The Dragon Case is one of Wicked Lasers' most popular accessories.
[edit] Discontinued products
Over time, some of Wicked Lasers' products have been discontinued.
[edit] Evolution series
The Evolution series lasers have smaller beam diameters than the Executive series lasers but a higher divergence. They also cost slightly more than the Executive series. While the Evolution series lasers are still listed on the Wicked Lasers website, they have been unavailable for several months, leading many to believe that they have been discontinued. They were available in 5, 15, 35, 55, 75, 95 and 125 mW.
[edit] Wicked Lasers T-shirts
Wicked Lasers started selling T-shirts in December 2006 and there were two designs. However, both no longer appear on the Wicked Lasers website and are likely discontinued.
[edit] Sonar
After the Sonar II was released, the original Sonar was discontinued. The original Sonar had a peak output of 20 mW. Wicked Lasers previously sold a Sonar case for those who wanted to make DIY Blu-Ray lasers, but that has been discontinued as well.
[edit] Spyder I series
After the Spyder II series was launched in December 2006, the original Spyder series was discontinued. The green Spyder series came in 200, 250 and 300 mW models, while the blue Spyder series came in 20, 30 and 40 mW.
[edit] Wicked Bucks
Wicked Bucks are reward points that can be used towards the purchase of products from Wicked Lasers. Customers can earn Wicked Bucks buy purchasing products from the Wicked Lasers website. Users can also earn Wicked Bucks by referring someone who makes a purchase, and the referrer gains 15% of the value of the purchaser's goods in Wicked Bucks. One Wicked Buck is equal to one cent. Wicked Bucks cannot be redeemed for cash or used to buy products from Wicked Lasers' affliates.
[edit] Contests
Wicked Lasers is known for hosting contests in which users can win free lasers. The following are known contests Wicked has held:
- September 2006: Three Signature Fusion lasers given to users in three categories, all users, customers and community (users with over 250 posts on Laser Community).
- December 2006: A contest was held as a tie-in with the Spyder II release. The rules were similar to those of the September 2006 contest, but more prizes were given out. Wicked was criticized for reducing the number of prizes at the last minute, although the final prizes was worth more.
- August 2007: A low-bid auction was held and four Signature lasers were given away. At the same time, a Signature Nexus was given to users who came up with the best design.
- April 2008: Users could enter the YouTube Contest for a chance to win a Spyder III.
[edit] Subsidiaries and affliates
Wicked has three business partners:
- ThinkLasers
- TechLasers
- Starphaser
Wicked also sells low-powered lasers through Laserpointer.com.
[edit] Reception
Wicked Lasers has been praised for the artistic design on its lasers, using USA made Enlight laser diodes and are generally backed by the best policies to customers. Wicked Lasers' LaserShades goggles are considered to be one of the best goggles on the market.
Wicked Lasers have a reputation for selling underpowered and the unstable lasers, and most laser hobbyists do not recommend buying from them. The LaserShades goggles are believed to be of high quality.
Due to Wicked Lasers' number one in the industry status, some inexperienced buyers have been very satisfied with their purchases as first time buyers. Generally Wicked Lasers are more expensive then those offered by other vendors.
Wicked Lasers' Sonar II laser, which uses a Blu-Ray diode, costs around $2,000 but it is possible to buy DIY lasers that go up to 180 mW (that operate in CW) for less than $300. If your willing to take the time to understand the function and theory of a DPSS throught trial and error, however not everyone can build one without mishaps and burnt diodes.
At its inception, Wicked Lasers' Spyder Gx was the most powerful portable green laser; however, numerous higher power lasers are now available including various models from Optotronics and Laserglow. Wicked also claims the Torch as the world's most powerful flashlight, measuring at 4,100 lumen. After the Torch's launch, rival Polarion introduced a 5000 lumen flashlight, and while the Polarion PH50 is now the most powerful flashlight it costs 9x as much.
The Spyder Bx has a large beam diameter which operates in TEM00, and was one of the first companies to produce the blue laser in mass production.
On July 6, 2007, Wicked implemented a controversial rule on Laser Community. Users were not allowed to mention other laser companies due to "spam" problems, even using their private messaging system to market against Wicked Lasers . Fan boys of Wicked's competition often report getting banned after criticizing Wicked Lasers on Laser Community, despite Tao's claim that Laser Community is a neutral forum.
