Cheap green question

[absolom7691]

Does anyone have any experience with these green DIYs? http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mW-532nm-...item3f136fd206

I am wanting some cheap green for a lumia box. I don't need super stable power, I don't need great divergence, I am not modulating... I will be heatsinking it (obviously), but the only thing I will be doing is turning the current up and down via slide pot. I see the listed lifespan is 5000hours, but has anyone used these in an application other than a pointer? If I need to buy more expensive, then I will, but why pay for a high quality projector laser if I don't need to? At the same time, I don't want to waste $80 and then buy a better laser.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

[taggalucci]

Well they get hot and then the power drops, so if that's not an issue, these "pointer cores" are fine. I've got one similar and it modulates OK when connected to an analogue driver e.g. flexMod.

[absolom7691]

Sounds good. Like I said, for a lumia, beam quality and power stability is not a concern. I just didn't want to spend a lot. I just need to make sure I heatsink it well. I will give a couple of these a whirl. Thanks for the info!

[taggalucci]

Also, just be aware that these pointer cores typically don't have an IR filter meaning there is likely a cone of invisible IR radiation emanating from the aperture. The question is how much of the 200mW is IR and how much is 532nm?

[absolom7691]

Very good point. If I can get 150mW of 532, I am fine with that. Mainly, if it is bright enough to compete with my 300mW 635nm mistus, I should be good. Thanks for the caveat. I had forgotten about the lack of IR filters on these cheapies.

[dnar]

I have bought 3 of these for sats, TTL modulation and good power for the cost. They DON'T include IR filtering. Includes mains PSU, TEC cooling, TTL modulation.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150MW-Green-...item5aded2ee0f

They all measured between 250 and 300mW unfiltered.

I am sure they will negotiate for a quantity purchase.

I have pics of them disassembled if you want to see them.

[absolom7691]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150MW-Green-...item5aded2ee0f

These look pretty good. I wouldn't have to worry about heatsinking with these. Thanks, dnar. BTW, I love your sig!

[planters]

dnar,

Have you looked into a convenient/inexpensive IR filter? Any idea on the 532nm, mw component?

[dnar]

dnar,

Have you looked into a convenient/inexpensive IR filter? Any idea on the 532nm, mw component?

Yes, I have fitted IR filters from snoctony (eBay). From memory, I got around 150-200mW with IR filters flitted, I can't recall exactly.