Hello everyone on PhotonLexicon. I have been lurking for months now and I figured I would make my first post a review of my C.T. Lasers Luminance RGB3000. This all started at the beginning of May when I decided to buy the first laser system that I could use "legally" outside of my home. On C.T. Lasers website, they claim that their Luminance RGB projectors are FDA certified, come with a show variance, and have a 3-year warranty. With his summer sale, I figured this would be an amazing deal so I went forward with the purchase.
It took him about 3 days to respond to my order request and said that he cannot accept online payment, I was quite nervous about trusting a random person but I sent him the check anyways and he said he would throw in a little "treat" for the inconvenience. In the meantime, while the check was in transit I asked to start the application for the variance and gave him my information. One week later he responded saying that he will FedEx the paperwork. I waited very patiently for about a month without hearing anything from the FDA or Marc so I asked him if he would ship the projector. He said the system will go into post-production (QC, Testing, Burn-in) then will send me the tracking number once shipped (shipping cost $163 from nj to il apparently) and resubmit the variance application so I was feeling quite happy at this point.
Once again I waited very patiently, I received no tracking number or anything and about 2 weeks later it showed up. I opened the box and it was empty except for the projector. No manual, keys, remote stop box, nothing in the box at all (especially no "treat"). So I emailed Marc and he blamed it on one of his "employees" and he will overnight the stuff. Of course, 5 days later after hearing nothing, I asked what the status is then he shipped the keys. Although this process has been delayed over 2 months I was still very excited to receive my first real laser projector.
As soon as I turned it on, it made this horrible bearing screech coming from the fans. I emailed Marc and he instructed me to open it up and look for a voltage selection switch on one of the power supplies because the fans were not receiving the proper voltage...........So I did, in fact I took both power supplies out and completely apart and there was no switch. This was the point where he just stopped responding to all emails and phone calls, so I gave up.... RIP 3 year warranty. I ordered some new fans on amazon and replaced them myself. Never, did I expect to be repairing my brand new projector before its even been used on a single show.
I will admit after adjusting the minimum and maximum voltage via quick show I got the white balance perfect and it did look amazing in my basement. The scanners are true 40k at 8 degrees, but I am not sure exactly what they are. I would guess they are DT-40's. The module is all in one and the red beam size is slightly bigger then the green/blue but the divergence is good. I paid $1,813 total, but this review is more about the experience rather then the hardware itself.
At this point, I still had not received anything from the FDA so I started lurking on the forums. After doing some more research I realized what I had. This projector is just a re-branded Goldenstar projector and it doesn't even have a safety shutter inside or the proper labeling on the outside of the case. I think this is an appropriate time for this meme. So unless I go through the process of installing the safety shutter and proper stickers, I am stuck with a useless illegal box. The most shocking thing for me to see was how good of a reputation Marc has on here, including the fact that he was on the ILDA board. I struggle to understand why he would knowingly do this, so if anyone knows him personally I would love to chat. Here are links to what I bought vs the Goldenstar. I have also attatched pictures.
C.T. Lasers
Goldenstar
I know this is a combined review of the item/seller so please excuse me posting it all in one thread. I do not like posting negative reviews and my goal is not to bring harm to Marc, but I would like to prevent other new laserists from making the same mistake I did. In addition to the story, I have talked to Walt and Melody from lightspace and ordered a 3W from them. Also, Walt helped me through the process of submitting a variance and show report myself and I received a docket number and accession number within the week of submission (how about that marc....). The variance is still in review but I hope to be approved soon. The new projector from lightspace will arrive very soon so if I get some replies from this, I will post a review for that as well, but so far the experience has been great. Thanks, everyone for your time. I know this is a long one.