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Thread: OPT or Golden Star ?

  1. #1
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    Laser Warning OPT or Golden Star ?

    What do we think guys?

    I'm nearly ready to buy a couple of new lasers. Of course I'd love some Unity Pro's but they are out of my budget.

    So question is OPT Lasers or Golden Star Lasers?

    I think I know who I'd go for but what do you think?

    Graham
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  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by laserLips View Post
    What do we think guys?

    I'm nearly ready to buy a couple of new lasers. Of course I'd love some Unity Pro's but they are out of my budget.

    So question is OPT Lasers or Golden Star Lasers?

    I think I know who I'd go for but what do you think?

    Graham
    I upgraded to OPTlaser's PD3000 RGB projector with low divergence optics and DT-40 galvos. Very pleased with the beam quality & price, I ordered an identical W3000-RGB module for my 2nd DIY projector build.
    Their sales staff and customer service have been excellent.
    However, they have discontinued their product lines below 4W.
    Of course, my limited experience with OPTlaser doesn't reflect anything against Golden State Lasers, of which I've seen others recommending, as well.
    Keep in mind the looming tariff wars against China. That could become a significant deal breaker.
    JS
    Roj
    Last edited by TheHermit; 10-28-2025 at 17:13.
    Would a bird's mating song be more alluring if composed by human intellect? 🤔

    ==================================================
    T4 Laser Synth, Reaper DAW, Behringer X-Touch
    3W PD3000-RGB Projector, w/DT-40
    3W W3000-RGB custom built Projector, w/PT-40
    ... so far.


  3. #3
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    Hi Roj.

    I hadn't thought about the trade wars. I've literary just put my laser money all on a coin called FARTCOIN to ride this current crypto wave of recovery so I can afford a Pangolin discoscan and perhaps another laser. I'm in the UK but no doubt it will affect me too.

    When is the war due to end and the final tarrif slapped on China? I hear DT already put 100% tarrif on. I'm not really following it.
    And yes I have lasers from Golden Star only and have been talking with OPT lasers recently. Their prices and power beat Golden Star. The price of a 25 Watt is the same as the 6 Watt I got back in 2015. Mental.
    The lasers I have now all from Golden Star have done many shows and in nasty conditions so heads up Golden Star - They have been really great to me. Their customer service is also very good.
    But I think OPT next.
    G
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  4. #4
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    golden star, better beam.. thicker heat sink... diode protection and less overdriving and more correction.
    The thing is not all 25w is the same.. there is a good reason for the difference in price and its not all down to markups.

  5. #5
    mixedgas's Avatar
    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
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    Goldenstar's digital diode driver offers advantages in color representation, color tends to stay the same during fades etc. For graphics and logos the digital driver is impeccable. You can dial it down to 100 mW or less and white stays white.

    Steve
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    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is offline Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
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    OPT is also using digital drivers. they may be the same. i'm not sure.


    Quote Originally Posted by mixedgas View Post
    Goldenstar's digital diode driver offers advantages in color representation, color tends to stay the same during fades etc. For graphics and logos the digital driver is impeccable. You can dial it down to 100 mW or less and white stays white.

    Steve
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by swamidog View Post
    OPT is also using digital drivers. they may be the same. i'm not sure.
    AFAIK my Tmax uses a GS module which uses the DT XEON driver
    ive been talking with OPT and they have their own digital driver and even sent me the tuning software for it (if a diode needs replacing you will need this)

    so they are not the same at all, and all i can say without trying OPT's one is, the XEON Driver is Awesome!

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mrfloppy View Post
    AFAIK my Tmax uses a GS module which uses the DT XEON driver
    ive been talking with OPT and they have their own digital driver and even sent me the tuning software for it (if a diode needs replacing you will need this)

    so they are not the same at all, and all i can say without trying OPT's one is, the XEON Driver is Awesome!
    Great info to know!
    With 2 * OPT modules, I'm likely going to need OPT's tuning software sooner or later.
    Mind sharing it on this thread or via PM?
    Thanks in advance 👍
    Roj
    Would a bird's mating song be more alluring if composed by human intellect? 🤔

    ==================================================
    T4 Laser Synth, Reaper DAW, Behringer X-Touch
    3W PD3000-RGB Projector, w/DT-40
    3W W3000-RGB custom built Projector, w/PT-40
    ... so far.


  9. #9
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    oh yeah sure, I just asked nicely and recieved, so i dont think anybody minds me sharing

    you'll need a Serial adapter for it, i dont know which one exactly as i dont have a OPT box yet... but im guessing something fairly simple...
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