Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer? =S)

So I'm just getting into lasers and I happen to find 405nm extremely fascinating. Ever since watching that kipkay video floating around on the net, I wanted to build a laser sight using the diode for a bunch of different stuff (paintball, NERF, target shooting, etc.). However, since coming here I know that better, brighter diodes exist; a current-limiting circuit is an absolute must; and that I may need filters for less dangerous output (in the event of an accident) as well as a collimating lens for an ideal dot (I understand that the KES-400A has a tendency to spread, though I don't know anything about the other diodes).

What I'd like to be able to do is make a violet laser sight that will be accurate when aiming for a target anywhere from close range to fifty feet (I know I'll have to recalibrate the sight to change the ideal range) that will be as safe as possible in high-traffic areas yet bright enough to be easily visible in most environments and short ranges. Can you guys suggest any particular parts as far as diodes, housing, or other electronics/related parts (switches, wire, CB, current-sensing resistors for the limiter circuit I'll be building; I can't link you to the schematic yet since I'm new, but it's the first Google result for "current limiter circuit)? And if there's anything else I should consider before ordering or building anything, please let me know. Thanks!

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

SO, Like have you built a bluRay laser of any kind yet ?? Have you seen one in operation?
If you have done your reading here, you already know that the 405 nM beam (near UV) looks dim until it hits something which lights up.

I sure wouldn't consider one for my 460 Smith

Mike

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

To be honest I think 405nm will be useless for a gun sight, even when focused to a fine point over distances the dot looks like a huge blur to us because our eyes have trouble comprehending the wavelength.

If you need help with building a violet laser I have a tutorial on how to make one here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVugSGldXZ8

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

styropyro said:

To be honest I think 405nm will be useless for a gun sight, even when focused to a fine point over distances the dot looks like a huge blur to us because our eyes have trouble comprehending the wavelength.

If you need help with building a violet laser I have a tutorial on how to make one here>

Click to expand...

Thank you. That is very helpful.

I understand that the human eye does not render blues and violets very well, but I still want to try this out anyway. If nothing else, I'll have a pointer

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

I would say it depends on your target. If it’s an air pistol or rifle, and white target paper, it would look cool and bright. If it’s for paintball, you would have to worry about eyes at the power needed. I have pointed mine at a white object outside in sunlight, having the same effectiveness as a green, and certainly better than a red. But again, only on a white surface that fluoresces

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

Ditto the above on using the blu ray, not bright enough. If you decide to build a sight of a different colour, to get accuracy over distance mount the laser in the fore-end (under the barrel) rather than on the scope that will give you enough paralax to use as a range finder.

I can give you a full tutorial about how to set it up if you need it, but I will say that green works very well indeed in daylight, even firing from the hip is a doddle

Regards rog8811

(Picture below was done when I was thinking about best way to mount laser...)

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

rog8811 said:

I can give you a full tutorial about how to set it up if you need it, but I will say that green works very well indeed in daylight, even firing from the hip is a doddle

Regards rog8811

(Picture below was done when I was thinking about best way to mount laser...)

Click to expand...

That would be great, thanks

A couple of questions, guys:

UV filtration a good idea? If so, where should I look for a filter?
Is IR filtration necessary for Blu-Ray?
What is/makes for a good collimator lens for any given diode?
Last one, I promise: 803T or KES-400A? If 803T, what voltage should it be run at (peak current is in another topic)?

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

UV filtration a good idea? If so, where should I look for a filter?

UV filters are a very good idea in DPSS lasers, all good quality ones have them...even DX greenies have one.

Is IR filtration necessary for Blu-Ray?

No

Last one, I promise: 803T or KES-400A? If 803T,

Are you looking for a presentation pointer or "more power"?
PS3's got us all into blu rays but seem unloved now beacause of the new, more powerful kid in town (803)....your choice at the end of the day....

what voltage should it be run at (peak current is in another topic)?

The LD will draw around 4.5v but it is current you need to think about, input voltage for the drive circuit depends on which driver you use/build.

Regards rog8811

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

rog8811 said:

UV filtration a good idea? If so, where should I look for a filter?

UV filters are a very good idea in DPSS lasers, all good quality ones have them...even DX greenies have one.

Is IR filtration necessary for Blu-Ray?

No

Last one, I promise: 803T or KES-400A? If 803T,

Are you looking for a presentation pointer or "more power"?
PS3's got us all into blu rays but seem unloved now beacause of the new, more powerful kid in town (803)....your choice at the end of the day....

what voltage should it be run at (peak current is in another topic)?

The LD will draw around 4.5v but it is current you need to think about, input voltage for the drive circuit depends on which driver you use/build.

Regards rog8811

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Now, I hate to be a pest, but I'm having some trouble finding a UV filter of an appropriate size. Where should I start looking (other than Google)? Do they come with any existing laser housings/modules?

Thanks for your patience guys, I'll try not to disappoint when I'm finished :3

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

>Now, I hate to be a pest, but I'm having some trouble finding a UV filter of an appropriate size. Where should I start looking (other than >Google)? Do they come with any existing laser housings/modules?

Rog gave you a hint on this when you asked about UV and IR filtration before, but did not quite hit you with the full boat. You do not want UV filtration for your Blu-ray based laser. That would filter most of the output of the system, since blu-ray IS near UV. You want UV filtration for your eyes when using a high powered blu-ray laser - just go get some UV blocking sunglasses.

JeffP

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight

Well, that's the thing. I don't need this to be burning/high-power or anything like that. I just need a generally visible and minimally dangerous dot. That's why I'd prefer to have some kind of internal filtration that would get rid of most output below 405nm. I would prefer not to make anyone who wants to watch the laser wear sunglasses every time I use it.

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer?

Oh, rog....i'd love to see a tutorial!

i have a wooden bow (yes... i practice bow & arrow ) and i want to get a 5mw aixiz module and mount it on it


it has kinda this shape





it's a wooden olympic bow




EDIT: this is better







oh, sorry dude for jacking your post

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer?

Oh, rog....i'd love to see a tutorial!

Click to expand...

"
On wooden stocked rifles it is comparatively easy ( will look out my photo's and try and knock up a "how to").....
I am not sure that I would want to attempt it on a stressed member like a bow stave, especially without having it in front of me.

Regards rog8811

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer?

rog8811 said:

Oh, rog....i'd love to see a tutorial!

Click to expand...

"
On wooden stocked rifles it is comparatively easy ( will look out my photo's and try and knock up a "how to").....
I am not sure that I would want to attempt it on a stressed member like a bow stave, especially without having it in front of me.

Regards rog8811

Click to expand...

I know, it's hard. But i'd really appreaciate some sight mounting tips

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer?

Sorry, I am in house refurbish mode at the moment...I will try and find time during the week.....( I have 3 803T's in unopened envelopes at the moment and the wife has hidden the key to my workshop :-[ )

Regards rog8811

Re: Building a Blu-Ray Gun Sight (/basic pointer?

NK, I'd mount it as near as possible to the pivot point, otherwise the flex anywhere else will frustrate your aim.  Engineering a tiny mount that will allow you to reliably (ie repeatably with accuracy) adjust aim for range and wind will be tricky enough anyway.  Maybe base something around the adjusters from a scope?  Or build it into a small scope (pistol?) and mount that?