Quasar Bluetooth Virtual Laser Power & Energy Meter

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Overview

The Quasar module provides a way to use Ophir sensors as a remote laser power/energy meter allowing optimum placement of the sensor and separate optimum placement of your PC or laptop with no connecting cables.

Connects to standard Ophir sensors with bluetooth connection to your PC
Wireless range of 10-30 meters depending on surroundings
Operates from rechargeable battery with typically >40 hours lifetime
Converts your PC into a complete laser power/energy meter
Log power and energy, average, statistics, histograms and more
Monitor up to 7 Quasars simultaneously on one PC

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Products

		Compare	Model	Compatibility	sortOrder	rankScore	ranking	Drawings, CAD & Specs		Statistics	Analog Out	Ethernet	USB	BlueTooth	Availability	Featured Item	Price		Brand
		7Z01300 Quasar Quasar Laser Power & Energy Meter, Bluetooth PC Interface $709.00 In Stock	7Z01300 Quasar Quasar Laser Power & Energy Meter, Bluetooth PC Interface	UNIVERSAL	0.0	1.0	0.0		0.0	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	In Stock		$709.00		Ophir

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PC Software & Drivers

This section describes various ways to interface the Ophir meter to your PC as well as the software options available. Check out the datasheet for more details.

StarLab

The StarLab application together with an Ophir meter turns your PC or laptop into a full-fledged laser power/energy meter. Supports most Ophir laser power/energy sensors. Up to 8 sensors can be displayed at once on one PC. By using the Ophir COM Object, you can control the device from your own application. Supports the Ariel, Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Juno, Juno+, Nova II, Vega, Pulsar-1/2/4, Quasar, EA-1 and Ariel devices.

LabVIEW

Library supplied for a complete measurement interface with most of our USB speaking devices (Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Juno, Juno+, Nova-II, Pulsar, Vega). Makes use of our new COM object.

StarViewer

StarViewer turns your Android or iOS based smartphone into a portable Ophir laser power / energy measurement monitor.
The iOS version of StarViewer works with Ariel sensor.
The Android version of StarViewer works with Ariel, as well as with Juno and Quasar interfaces.

Firmware - Quasar (latest version 1.25)

Embedded Software for Quasar Interface
Use StarLab to upgrade the firmware of your device. Follow the step-by-step instructions (see link above).

Specifications

Product Name

Quasar
Thermal Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Photodiode Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Pyroelectric Sensor Compatibility

Yes
BeamTrack Sensor Compatibility

No
Statistics

Yes
Analog Out

No
Trigger Input/Output

No
Power Supply

Internal Battery or Charger

BlueTooth

Yes
Data Transfer Rate

500 Hz
On-Board Data Storage

No
Automation Interface

No
Labview VI's

No
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Features

Wireless Bluetooth Laser Measurements with the Quasar

The Ophir Quasar is a Bluetooth interface that enables you to connect a laser sensor to a PC, or to an Android smartphone or tablet, without cables. In this short video, you’ll learn what it can do and how to get started using it.

Laser Measurement PC Interfaces

If all your laser measurement work involves a laptop or a PC, rather than a stand-alone meter, one of Ophir's direct-to-PC interfaces could be an ideal solution. These are full-fledged Laser Power and Energy meters, but instead of having a separate on-board display, the PC becomes your display. In this video you will learn about the range of PC Interfaces available from Ophir.

StarLab 3.0: Introduction and First Steps

This video explains the various items on the StarLab screen, and shows you how to perform basic laser measurements. Part 1 of a series of video segments teaching you how to use StarLab.

StarLab 3.0: Second Steps

Sometimes we want to not only get a reading, but perform additional processing on the reading. This video shows you how to use various functions in StarLab, such as Averaging, Scale Factor, Normalize, Density, etc. Part 2 of a series of video segments teaching you how to use StarLab.

Ophir Laser Measurement Virtual Meters

If all your laser measurement work involves a laptop or a PC, one of Ophir's direct-to-PC virtual meters could be an ideal solution. These are full-fledged Laser Power and Energy meters, and - together with the sensor and Ophir’s powerful StarLab software application - turn your PC into a full-function, multi-channel laser measurement workstation.

In this webinar, you will learn about the range of virtual meters and interface options available from Ophir.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far can the Quasar really transmit data and can it go through walls?
Answer
In actual testing done at customer sites, using the high power option, there was not a place within 100 meters that we could not connect, including going through multiple walls that were made of drywall. The only time we lost transmission was when the walls were made of concrete or we had to pass through some metal doors. With normal labs and offices the signal went right through. In several cases, including a solar power scribing application where windowed doors had to be closed, we were getting a continuous connection as we walked around the spacious building into offices and labs. With the standard range option, the range should be about 1/3 of this i.e. 30 meters.

How do I pair the Quasar interface with my computer?
Answer
If using the Bluetooth radio USB adaptor supplied with the Quasar, the adaptor software should be installed first. Once that is complete, and the StarLab software installation is complete, you are ready to connect the Quasar. You may need to change the discovery settings on your PC to allow the Quasar to connect.
To accomplish this, go to the Bluetooth Settings on your PC and ensure you have checked "Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer".

Will my Quasar work with my Android device?
Answer
Yes, we have an Android app that you can download from the Android Market place to run your Quasar on your Android device. Search for Ophir Optronics Quasar. You need to be running Android 2.3.3 or higher.

What is Ophir Statement of Volatility of Memory for Pulsar?
Answer
See attached

At what frequency does the Quasar work? Might there be concerns with interference from other devices?
Answer
Quasar runs on Bluetooth, the 2.4-2.5GHz "ISM" band (ISM = Industrial, Scientific and Medical). This is the same band used by WiFi and other technologies. This frequency was chosen as it is available without restrictions around the world. Because other technologies also use it, Bluetooth has to be designed to tolerate interference from other sources. It does this by swapping between 79 channels, at 2.402GHz up to 2.480GHz (each channel is 1MHz). This type of modulation is called FHSS, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. If data does not get through on one channel it retries on a different channel. Other technologies, such as WiFi, use different techniques.
This design makes Bluetooth very robust. In principle, if there is another radio transmitter nearby that is using the same 2.4-2.5GHz band AND using the same modulation scheme, interference is a possibility, but not a real likelihood. If the other transmitter is using a different band, there should not be a problem, because there is very little interference produced at other higher or lower frequencies - this is checked during qualification of these devices for CE and FCC in RF test labs.
In general, Bluetooth is in common use everywhere, by cellular phone headsets, for example, so interference is not normally a significant risk factor.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far can the Quasar really transmit data and can it go through walls?
Answer
In actual testing done at customer sites, using the high power option, there was not a place within 100 meters that we could not connect, including going through multiple walls that were made of drywall. The only time we lost transmission was when the walls were made of concrete or we had to pass through some metal doors. With normal labs and offices the signal went right through. In several cases, including a solar power scribing application where windowed doors had to be closed, we were getting a continuous connection as we walked around the spacious building into offices and labs. With the standard range option, the range should be about 1/3 of this i.e. 30 meters.

How do I pair the Quasar interface with my computer?
Answer
If using the Bluetooth radio USB adaptor supplied with the Quasar, the adaptor software should be installed first. Once that is complete, and the StarLab software installation is complete, you are ready to connect the Quasar. You may need to change the discovery settings on your PC to allow the Quasar to connect.
To accomplish this, go to the Bluetooth Settings on your PC and ensure you have checked "Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer".

Will my Quasar work with my Android device?
Answer
Yes, we have an Android app that you can download from the Android Market place to run your Quasar on your Android device. Search for Ophir Optronics Quasar. You need to be running Android 2.3.3 or higher.

What is Ophir Statement of Volatility of Memory for Pulsar?
Answer
See attached

At what frequency does the Quasar work? Might there be concerns with interference from other devices?
Answer
Quasar runs on Bluetooth, the 2.4-2.5GHz "ISM" band (ISM = Industrial, Scientific and Medical). This is the same band used by WiFi and other technologies. This frequency was chosen as it is available without restrictions around the world. Because other technologies also use it, Bluetooth has to be designed to tolerate interference from other sources. It does this by swapping between 79 channels, at 2.402GHz up to 2.480GHz (each channel is 1MHz). This type of modulation is called FHSS, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. If data does not get through on one channel it retries on a different channel. Other technologies, such as WiFi, use different techniques.
This design makes Bluetooth very robust. In principle, if there is another radio transmitter nearby that is using the same 2.4-2.5GHz band AND using the same modulation scheme, interference is a possibility, but not a real likelihood. If the other transmitter is using a different band, there should not be a problem, because there is very little interference produced at other higher or lower frequencies - this is checked during qualification of these devices for CE and FCC in RF test labs.
In general, Bluetooth is in common use everywhere, by cellular phone headsets, for example, so interference is not normally a significant risk factor.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Accessories

Battery Pack

Replacement battery pack for Nova II, Vega and Quasar.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E14007A Spare Battery Pack, Nova II, Vega, Quasar Power Meters	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$51.00

N Polarity Power Supply/Charger

Power Supply/Charger for Centauri, Vega, Nova II, LaserStar, Nova, EA-1, Pulsar, Quasar, 6K-W, 120K-W, 150K-W and fan cooled sensors.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E05029 DC Power Supply / Charger, N Polarity	UNIVERSAL		5 Weeks	$52.00

Extended Warranty for Sensor

Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.