Is a 1/2" wide 650nm beam useless?

[nuphotonix]

Wow... I just opened up a 4 watt RGB projector and found the source of the clients displeasure!! It's a 1.2 watt ( as labeled in a typed sticky label posted on the module) 650mn dpss laser. the beam it'self is 1/2" wide / 1/4" thick. It is totally invisiable compared to the green and blue. my 500mw 650nm makes the colors come out correctly. Now I have a feeling that the dpss modules in this monster are under classified as to their true output powers. The green is a full watt and the blue is 2watts at aperture, but the red is only 120mw. I see no gain on the driver board, and the power supply is 12vcd at 6 amps. So plenty of juice. I was able to see the date of manufacture at 2009 sept. Ok I digress. there HAS to be better red lasers out there now for far less than what this flashlight is.
suggestions?

[allthatwhichis]

It isn't worthless if you have half inch mirrors on your galvos...

I would check out the various threads concerning the testing of the new red diodes; find which ones will fit your needs and talk andy_con into building you a nice quad.

[RGbee]

Wow... I just opened up a 4 watt RGB projector and found the source of the clients displeasure!!

Does it say LaserWorld

[andy_con]

looks like a cni unit, i have two here. my torch has a better beam.

i could easily do you a 660 or 638 module to fit in the exact place of that module

[nuphotonix]

Ill look the front of the case is all taped up... No safety electronics,nada.. not even a break out board!! all hard wired to the PL25