Sanwu Pocket 492nm review with some beamshots

This is the first laser I buy since that notorious green-303 10 years ago, laser technology surely has advanced much...

Order, Processing and Shipping​

Ordered exactly one month ago on 2020/09/14 using the cheapest ($10) shipping. After 3 weeks of nothingness I contacted Francis whether something is wrong. Turns out regular shipping from China to Taiwan is not available, and Francis promptly sent the laser via FedEx (It arrived 3 days later on 10/12). He later asked me to order a tritium vial for reimbursement of the shipping upgrade, which I would do as soon as I receive my salary.

Generic red laser goggles
I ordered a pair from Sanwu, and it seems to do its job very well. I can barely see the dot with the goggles on, and if shone through, no significant amounts of light gets through (no apparent dot behind the goggles). For this wavelength and power level, I would trust it to protect my vision.

Laser Build Quality​

The worksmanship of the host is excellent as expected from Sanwu, with no visible seams when the threads are fully tightened.
I decided to go with the engraving (laser-engraved laser host... interesting) so that I know which is which when I have more. My only gripe is that the button slightly protrudes beyond the base so it wobbles when stood up vertically, I hope this is just me getting one with tolerance issues.

Thoughts, Opinions, Conclusion​

I absolutely love the 492nm color, echoing CurtisOliver's observation (sorry unable to link) that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact color of the laser. In outdoor setting and very bright indoor lighting, the color is pretty much pure cyan without any green. But in darker lighting, the dot itself has traces of green, with the bloom/splash even greener.

Another aspect that I find surprising is how quickly the laser head heats up for a device that puts out 0.1 watts of light (I guess the heat would be more than 0.1 watt though). The laser head gets warm in less than a minute from a cold start, and in 30 seconds-ish in subsequent cycles.

I am happy with this purchase and would recommend Sanwu to any laser enthusiasts (and 492nm is beautiful!!)

Beamshots ​

I decided to go to my dormitory's rooftop at 3AM to take some pics .

492.6.jpg

• bulukaki
• Oct 14, 2020

10 seconds exposure with low ISO

492.7.jpg

• bulukaki
• Oct 14, 2020

Automatic settings. Also laser stand made from LEGO bricks.

492.8.jpg

• bulukaki
• Oct 14, 2020

10 seconds exposure with low ISO, both the laser and camera pointing straight up.

That sure is a gorgeous color, isn't it?

Nice chioce of wavelenght--a soothing type blue visually---good ohotos---nice small host laser, excellent quality, can take with you anywhere easily in pocket.
Enjoy it.

You know, once you let those photons out like that, you can never get them back, they are far too fast to catch again.

It really is a great little laser. I reviewed the same exact model on here a few months ago. Well, same model minus the engraving - kinda jealous of that, honestly.

I hope you found my review useful in your decision to buy your own. That was my goal

Yeah, that Engraving they did with Sanwu and the power and wavelength is really cool, I haven't seen that on one before. I have the 60mW 488 version in the same host, amazing laser, that sky blue color is awesome.

The_LED_Museum said:

That sure is a gorgeous color, isn't it?

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Indeed! Now I go to my dormitory rooftop every midnight to enjoy the beam

Encap said:

Nice chioce of wavelenght--a soothing type blue visually---good ohotos---nice small host laser, excellent quality, can take with you anywhere easily in pocket.
Enjoy it.

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Yup, definitely satisfied with it

Alaskan said:

You know, once you let those photons out like that, you can never get them back, they are far too fast to catch again.

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Beautiful photons nonetheless

FuzzyPancake said:

It really is a great little laser. I reviewed the same exact model on here a few months ago. Well, same model minus the engraving - kinda jealous of that, honestly.

I hope you found my review useful in your decision to buy your own. That was my goal

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Yes, thank you for your detailed review! The first time I know that relatively affordable cyan lasers exist I immediately want one lol. Considering the higher power, I eventually decided to get the 492 instead of the 488.

Ears and Eggs said:

Yeah, that Engraving they did with Sanwu and the power and wavelength is really cool, I haven't seen that on one before. I have the 60mW 488 version in the same host, amazing laser, that sky blue color is awesome.

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The (text) engraving was $20 extra. On a Youtube video someone got a 488 with sanwu's logo (apparently without paying extra, seems like few early 488 and 505's have these). So I specifically requested sanwu's logo in addition to the text engraving, hehehe... I'm happy Francis agreed to do this.

bulukaki said:

The first time I know that relatively affordable cyan lasers exist I immediately want one lol. Considering the higher power, I eventually decided to get the 492 instead of the 488.

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I went for the 492nm for the same reason. When I saw that the cyan models were as cheap as they are I knew I just had to have one.

I don't use it much but just knowing I have it brings me peace. And when I have a good reason to turn it on everybody that sees it agrees it's super cool. It's tough to say no to kids then they want to play with it though :/