Does a Red Dot Beam Combiner REDUCE Power Output? | JK vs SPT

Are red dot beam combiners reducing power output? In this video, we put two popular laser tubes to the test.
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[@dowgy177]

I'm not sure that a maximum difference of less than three watts between the tubes would be at all noticeable in real-world cutting. This really needs a sample size of more than one. Personally, sacrificing three measly watts to make beam alignment easier is worth it to me.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Fantastic work as always, It was nice to get a re-cap on what we were actually testing! You broke it down, in easy to digest bites :) Those are some really nice tubes!

[@LaserEverything]

Thanks bro it was so fun to shoot together!

[@arifsetiawan7529]

There is clearly a reduction in laser power, because there is a beam combiner lens, which of course will reduce the laser power. This also applies to metal tubes. But it is small but the benefits obtained are greater.

[@Apollo11xYz]

Good to see you and Michael together again!

[@LaserEverything]

Just like old times

[@laseroflovecreations]

I rewound so that I could watch the opening a couple times. Very cool😊

[@LaserEverything]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mattarmijo5394]

Great video! Can you explain difference between a tube with a beam combiner vs a non beam combiner tube? Thanks

[@LaserEverything]

A beam combiner simply adds a red laser to the path of the CO2 laser. This means the red laser will exit the nozzle just like the CO2 beam does and you can see exactly where your jobs will start, run, stop without having to deal with an angled red dot and trying to keep it calibrated. Red dot beam combiners are VERY useful.

[@rallewibe12345974]

Is it only the SPT lasertube with inbuild beam combiner that affects the laser power or would a "standard" beam combiner also reduce the laser power? Is it due to small energy loss at the beam combiner lens or what is the explanation for the reduced laser power of the SPT with the beam combiner design it has compared to a standard?

[@LaserEverything]

SPT is the only major brand I believe that has them. In line like this. The effect of a standard beam combiner would be the same, assuming you're hitting it at a 90° angle the way it was designed to be used. Either way, the effects should be minimal. I actually don't think they really reduced the power meaningful way overall. Like I said, if you really need the extra couple watts, and I mean really really need them, it could theoretically help, but at the end of the day I think the value of a beam combiner, whether in line or as an add-on adds way more than whatever you're going to lose. Steve

[@cubingcracked3521]

Well now I know which tube to go with whenever I have to upgrade my omtech but it will hopefully be awhile before I have to do that idk how long a laser tube lasts but hey good information!

[@LaserEverything]

You SHOULD get a couple years out of a good tube with moderate to heavy use.

[@sorenac]

It didn't seem that the combiner did much difference between the SPT and the JK. 3w ish isn't really that much of a difference :)

[@M.sh.98]

What about Reci tube? Is it not good? 🙂

[@LaserEverything]

We love RECI tubes, I just didn't have any unboxed I could play with at the time

[@M.sh.98]

@@LaserEverything I was just meaning where it stands in this comparison😅

[@marcowong7684]

For you info, power doesn't mean everything. Higher power is not necessary can cut faster. There are many factors counted. LoL!@@M.sh.98