Junior Member
Suggestions on decent (cheap) power meters?
So I've been looking around for a decent cheap power meters around the $200 range... is there anything in particular that you guys suggest I look for, or stay away from? I'm looking for something that can read up to 10 watts, mainly to make sure the projectors and diodes I'm buying actually are what they say they are. Suggestions on models/sources?
Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
use one of these and a volt meter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPHIR-Laser-...item484ee2b1e5
Originally Posted by FutureWeapons
suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.
Junior Member
Perhaps I'm trying to spend too little? What's a good a price for what I'm looking for, I don't want to get ripped off on a sketchy "as is, untestable" ebay item, which is what everything seems to be...
Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
those ophir heads are very good and the best you'll get in the price range.
most of the "low cost hobby meters" are more expensive and don't scale as high.
suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.
Senior Member
Futurewepons,
He is right. I have a relatively basic Ophir PM purchased a few years ago for over $1,000. It works very well.
Swamidog,
I am interested in these too. Any idea on the wiring or conversion factor ie. V to W?
Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
Supply Voltage: +/-12V +/-18V *
Supply Current (no load): 3 mA max
Output signal calibration: 1 V/W +/-3%
Output signal adjustment range: 20% minimum
Response Time (0-95%): 0.8 sec typical
Entrance Aperture Diameter: 12 mm
Max Laser Power: 20W, but see note below.
Max Power Density: 20KW/cm2
Max Head Temperature: 55C
Dimensions of Head: 38.1W x 38.1Hx 34D
Calibration: calibrated for 1.064nm
spc 20C-A-1-Y 1706111 , 770611A (RoHS) rev4.doc
suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.
"Calibrated for 1064 nm"...
Can you elaborate on this a bit? I thought a thermal head was more or less wavelength-independent... Are you saying there is a correction factor that has to be applied to accurately measure visible wavelengths? (Because that would seriously complicate the plan to build an accurate DIY meter out of one of these heads.)
I know you have to do this with a photodetector head, but this is the first time I've ever heard of that for a thermal head.
Adam
Senior Member
My Ophir Meter has a selection for wavelength range as supplied turn-key from the manufacturer. I think that this is a simple correction factor used to modify the displayed readout based on a company determined absorption curve for the blackened glass disc that receives the beam.
If you get one of these I could meter a given wavelength at different ranges to reverse estimate the curve.
Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
it shouldn't be an issue.
suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.
Junior Member
You guys are right, that Ophir looks dead simple to use and it's super affordable compared everything else... which basically seems to start around $1,000 unless it's an ancient meter of dubious origin and functionality. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one of these, it'll be perfect for my current needs, thanks!
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