Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Laser meters

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Rotorua New Zealand
    Posts
    528

    Default Laser meters

    Hi all,
    Any suggestions on brands , models, prices etc on Laser Power meters.

    Given the price reductions and even in the short time I have been here you can see members looking at higher power lasers say in the "up to 2 watt" area.

    Are there any traps ?, I know some budget ones seem to be little more than an indicator, which is fine of you are looking for that. At the other end there are the scientific "bust your bank balance" jobs.

    What about a good useful meter up to say 2 watts with reasonable accuracy without becoming a lab instrument.

    Any thoughts, suggestions etc etc..

    Thanks
    Ray

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    2,478

    Default

    A basic standard is the Lasercheck, good to 1 watt with inbuilt wavelength compensation for the silicon sensor. These have a low power density tolerance though, so it's wise to measure far enough downrange to have a diverged beam to spread the load.

    Sper Scientific make cheap units, sold on eBay. Not really awesome but the value is ok.

    Ophir units, second hand, are good, but you need to be lucky.

    Dr Lava posted a thread in the group buy sub-forum that shows a neat meter. Also, Robin Bowden made a D4thing that can be made into various useful tools, and can be used as the foundation of a DIY power meter.

    The ideal for wide range and better than 5% accuracy regardless of wavelength is to build a thermopile meter, or buy the sensor head on eBay. They're cheap. Scientech 360001 heads are ideal, you can pick them up for a few tens of dollars and read the output directly on a millivoltmeter. Calibrate to get a conversion constant, to either use in a calculator, or as a factor in a small analog gain stage to send the output to a voltmeter to read 1 volt per watt. You easily get sensitivity to lower than 5 mW this way, and ranges up to 30 watts, all easily read on an autoranging voltmeter. If you want to look more at that way of getting a meter, there's more here.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    250

    Default

    I wish Viasho can help you.

    http://viasho.com/e_jg_9.htm
    http://www.viasho.com
    wzc@viasho.com
    Wechat & Whatsapp: +8613911142669

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    SOUTHAMPTON U.K.
    Posts
    1,357

    Default

    Hi Frank. What price would the 2W version cost?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    250

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by QUAZAR View Post
    Hi Frank. What price would the 2W version cost?
    0~2W version is $400.
    http://www.viasho.com
    wzc@viasho.com
    Wechat & Whatsapp: +8613911142669

  6. #6
    mixedgas's Avatar
    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
    Infinitus Excellentia Ion Laser Dominatus
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    A lab with some dripping water on the floor.
    Posts
    9,890

    Default

    your bank balance" jobs.

    What about a good useful meter up to say 2 watts with reasonable accuracy without becoming a lab instrument.

    the famous coherent powerpen goes up to a watt, plus a 50/50 beamsplitter,

    otherwise coherent 212s go up to 10 watts and sell surplus for ~50$.

    Steve

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Rotorua New Zealand
    Posts
    528

    Default

    Thanks guys...

    Doc, thanks for the leads and tips in your reply much appreciated.

    Cheers
    Ray
    NZ

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •