SP Spinaker Ar/Kr whitelight 5 watt system- good or bad?

[Vidal Wolf]

I have a chance to get a 5 watt Spectra Physics spinnaker Ar/Kr system.

If you have used one of these or serviced one or repaired one or had one in your inventory, would you be willing to give me input on the pros and cons of these systems?
I have heard that similar SP models are complete junk and I shouldn't waste my time and money on it. Is this true for the spinnaker whitelight systems?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Nate.

[mixedgas]

I have a chance to get a 5 watt Spectra Physics spinnaker Ar/Kr system.

If you have used one of these or serviced one or repaired one or had one in your inventory, would you be willing to give me input on the pros and cons of these systems?
I have heard that similar SP models are complete junk and I shouldn't waste my time and money on it. Is this true for the spinnaker whitelight systems?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Nate.

First of all, Spinnaker is not a full 5 watts, that is the warning sticker power. Spinnaker was a short, single phase, internal mirror tube with a "switched resistor" power supply. Greater then 1.5 watts in WL is a more realistic number. If I remember right, its not polarized, either. Usually does 4 or 5 lines, ie 477, 488,514, 530, 647 with the optics as choosen.

If they would have added the in tube brewster window (easy), the thing would have sold like Egg McMuffins on Sunday.

They were very nice, but have not been made in 15 years, and the fact the tube was not polarized resulted in low sales volume.
It was designed to be low cost, like a non-scientific 2016.

One of those, "great product if they would have listened to the customer's needs" lasers.

Make sure you get the PSU and remote if needed.

Steve

[Vidal Wolf]

Steve, Thank you for the input. I really appreciate your taking the time to share the information.
well, I recieved a spinnaker head, cables and controller today from Junktronix (thank you sir!) and it has 3,700 hours on the tube.
Its in real great condition, very little dust on the insides,and a very clean,almost unused look to it.
I popped the cover & was impressed with the layout, very clean and simple.
Pics coming tomorrow.