Class 3b
Avant Versus Thor®
Comparing the Avant to the Competition
Our business was originally about educating consumers about PBMT but it slowly evolved into being the largest independent laser seller in the US. Because of our background, we spend a lot of time analyzing every system so that we can sell lasers based on specs and performance and not marketing claims. The table compares the spec and performance of the Avant Lasers to several major brands and it shows how the Avant Laser is the best class 3b system you can buy for most applications. If you also add price into the analysis, it is pretty obvious that the Avant Laser crushes the competition by offering superior performance at a fraction of the price of other systems. The Avant laser product line includes the home owner only version (Avant P), a mid-level pro version (Avant X) and their flagship IR laser (Avant X) and their violet laser system (ReVi). In the following table, we selected the most comparable version of the Avant Laser.
Compare to Erchonia, Microlight, Thor, Cutting Edge, Apollo.
| Specification | Avant Z | Avant X | Thor® | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Diode Power (mW) | 1400 IR & 1000 Red | 1000 IR & 600 Red | 1000 IR 1000 Red |
|
| 2. Wavelengths (nm) | 808, 637 | 808, 637 | 810, 660 | |
| 3. Pulsing | Sweep, Single & CW | Sweep, Single & CW | Only use 2.5 Hz | |
| 4. Inchangable probes | Includes 2 | Includes 2 | A-la-cart | |
| 5. Internal Pulsing Steps | 6 | 6 | Only1 Used | |
| 6. Size & Skin Adaptive Proto | Yes | Yes | Can | |
| 7. Hands-Free Option | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 8. Deliver Rates | 1.4 j/sec | 1.0 j/sec | 1.0 j/sec | |
| 9. Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years | 5 Years* | |
| 10. Hand Held | Yes | Yes | Console | |
| 11. Estimated Prices | $7,200 | $6250 | $20,000+ | |
| 30-Day Money Back | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Laser-Therapy® Training Package | Yes | Yes | No |
Notes:
1. This is the total power of the diodes in the system and does not mean it will 100% of that power. Look at the (8) delivery rate to see real world numbers.
2. This shows the wavelengths used and if the blend of the different wavelengths are independently adjustable. 810nm is the best wavelength for a photo-chemical reaction. The 600nm range is mainly for superficial applications and complex issues where all the work is done with the pulsing.
3. Systems with sweep will rotate through multiple pulsing frequencies in one program allowing the laser to be optimized
to treat multiple symptoms in one program. Lower-tech systems have just one "single" pulsing frequency per program.
4. Interchangeable head can include different size direct-treatment heads for treating large areas and fine tips for doing laserpuncture or trigger point therapy.
5. Pulsing technology is rapidly changing. Better systems allow for multiple pulsing steps. For example, this can allow the same program to be optimized for both pain (step 1) and inflammation reduction (step 2) and so on.
6. Every book you read about PBM will state that dosage is based on condition, patient size and skin color. Darker and larger patients need a higher dosage. This is also just common sense. Better system follow the best practices.
7. Hands free systems allow practitioners to have the laser fully automated.
8. Delivery rate is really what you are paying for but some system claim high power levels but don't really deliver the marketed power in most therapy sessions. Claiming high peak powers is a way to make the system seem like it is worth more than it really is.
9. Higher quality system have a better warranty typically maxing out at 5 years.
10. A Battery operated system is much more convenient in some applications.
11. Systems like the Thor require users to buy multiple emitters to cover more applications so the cost of building a system is variable.
As you can see from the comparison table, the Avant Laser offers superior performance at a fraction of the cost of a similar class-3 lasers. Avant offer multiple models but in all the cases, the Avant Laser offers superior performance at a lower cost compared to other systems.
Conclusion: Thor is one of the oldest surviving laser therapy companies and they are deeply rooted many research studies. It is really their age that makes them one of the heavy weights in the class 3b market. Their design is decades old and has become somewhat obsolete. Because their systems is hardware based, it only has limited options for pulsing. Newer technology like the Avant does an incredible job with pulsing. They Avant basically has unlimited pulsing options compared to the one option (2.5Hz) recommended on the Thor. Both systems pulse at 85% on/off ratio so they deliver similar dosage even when pulsing. Avant also uses adapters to change the laser output shape and so they don't force user to buy multiple expensive laser emitter to get more flexibility from their system. The Avant has similar power and wavelengths but is much easier to use because of its compact size. The Avant can also do hands-free laser therapy. The Avant also is 100% laser when the Thor uses less effective LEDs in their red light emitters.
The biggest difference is the Avant is about 70% less money than a Thor. The Avant also has a 3-year warranty and is self-calibrating. The Thor requires that the system be returned to the factory for recalibration to maintain their 5 year warranty. This required maintenence is a real deal killer for many professionals.
The LZ20x is the most camparable to Thor and the LZ30z is a big upgrade. Because it is a much newer design, the Avant offers state-of-the-art performance compared to a Thor and it offers all these upgrades for a lot less money than any Thor.
