WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-450nm)

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

Hello builders and the like,

I'm looking for a ultra-compact, portable laser fully assembled or in components that require no soldering.

It must meet the following criteria:
1) Must be within this wavelength: 445-450nm
2) Power >700mW
3) Small enough to fit inside a hand with nothing protruding, the smaller the better. Something like this or this or this
4) Has a clip design
5) At least 1 month warranty against workmanship defects
6) Cost < $150

Pictures are welcomed. I can pay via western union or moneybookers.

About me:
- 20 yrs of age
- GTA area, Canada
- Have a pair of eBay $6 safety goggles + a Uvex S1933X SCT-Orange on its way here

InfinitusEquitas · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Ultra-Compact blue or green (445-540nm) laser

You need to increase your budget, or decrease your expectations.

Especially for the 445nm laser, a $100 budget for a custom build is unrealistic.

For the green... LZTN - 532nm 150mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

Thanks for the advice Infinitus, that green 150mw from Lazerer I have purchased a few days ago and it's on its way here. But I want to support some custom builders here in North America rather than China. So, that's why I was wondering if anyone could at least match the price-per-wattage from Lazerer. Is this unrealistic? I guess I'll have to edit my post.

EDIT: Criteria updated.

rhd · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

InfinitusEquitas said:
You need to increase your budget, or decrease your expectations.

Especially for the 445nm laser, a $100 budget for a custom build is unrealistic.

For the green... LZTN - 532nm 150mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer

Ryanrenesis said:
Thanks for the advice Infinitus, that green 150mw from Lazerer I have purchased a few days ago and it's on its way here. But I want to support some custom builders here in North America rather than China. So, that's why I was wondering if anyone could at least match the price-per-wattage from Lazerer. Is this unrealistic? I guess I'll have to edit my post.

LOL @ the chronology here! First Ryan expressed his interest in buying this:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/f...finned-brushed-metal-71395-2.html#post1033556

Then, in PM, he asked me if I could drop my price from $195 down to beat the Lazerer.com price of $139. Lol. I basically told him to go buy the generic Lazerer if that was his approach.

I see now, that he has decided even the Lazerer 445 was too pricey at $139, and is hoping for an even lower price, but also still wants a custom build?!?

Not quite the way things work

Almost universally, custom builds are going to be higher quality than a Chinese generic, and almost universally they're going to cost more, not less

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

rhd said:
LOL @ the chronology here!

Ryan expressed his interest in buying this:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/f...finned-brushed-metal-71395-2.html#post1033556

Then, in PM, he asked me if I could drop my price from $195 to beat the Lazerer.com price of $139. Lol. I basically told him to go buy the generic Lazerer.

I see now, that he has decided even the Lazerer 445 was too pricey at $139, and is hoping for an even lower price, but also still wants a custom build?!?

Not quite the way things work Almost universally, custom builds are going to be higher quality than a Chinese generic, and almost universally they're going to cost more, not less

Haha, I don't find the Lazerer 445 too pricey at $139. But I want a more compact laser than they have (something like your PointedFire but with a clip). I have already ordered the TINY 150mW, but now looking for a blue high powered. As you can see, I'm willing to pay upwards of $150.

Sorry if my intentions weren't clear from the beginning

InfinitusEquitas · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

Ryanrenesis said:
Haha, I don't find the Lazerer 445 too pricey at $139. But I want a more compact laser than they have. I have already ordered the TINY 150mW, but now looking for a blue high powered. As you can see, I'm willing to pay upwards of $150

You're still not getting it.... for a true, made to order custom build like you're looking for, it's just not happening for $100 or $150. $200 maybe, but it's a stretch even then.

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

InfinitusEquitas said:
You're still not getting it.... for a true, made to order custom build like you're looking for, it's just not happening for $100 or $150. $200 maybe, but it's a stretch even then.

Actually the host doesn't have to be custom machined to my specifications. I'm sure there are plenty of hosts already-made which meet my criteria.
ie. Stainless Steel RL-118 basic kit with aluminum heatsink fit for AixiZ for $55
or the Pocket mini kit for $40

rhd · Feb 21, 2012

LOL.

Stainless Steel RL-118 basic kit with aluminum heatsink fit for AixiZ for $55
+ Diode $45
+ Lens $10
+ Driver (for that host, you're looking at a Flexdrive) $25
+ Aixiz Module $3

Add some silicon wire, solder, Arctic Silver and you're basically at $145 in parts.... you think someone is going to put that together, to your specs for $5?

Sigurthr · Feb 21, 2012

So order the parts and throw it together yourself! Why do you need a builder to make it for you? With Aixiz-ready heatsinks and DTR's modules you don't even need any tooling other than maybe a $5 soldering iron for two leads.

InfinitusEquitas · Feb 21, 2012

Re: WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-540nm)

Ryanrenesis said:
Actually the host doesn't have to be custom machined to my specifications. I'm sure there are plenty of hosts already-made which meet my criteria.
ie. Stainless Steel RL-118 basic kit with aluminum heatsink fit for AixiZ for $55
or the Pocket mini kit for $40

You seem to have skipped over the lens, driver, diode and most importantly labor part of the equation there.

If you're getting a laser to lase without those components, you certainly don't need any help from anyone here.

Edit: Damn you guys beat me to it lol.

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

rhd said:
LOL.

Stainless Steel RL-118 basic kit with aluminum heatsink fit for AixiZ for $55
+ Diode $45
+ Lens $10
+ Driver (for that host, you're looking at a Flexdrive) $25
+ Aixiz Module $3

Add some silicon wire, solder, Arctic Silver and you're basically at $145 in parts.... you think someone is going to put that together, to your specs for $5?

I appreciate your advice, and would welcome it any day, but in the process of it, please don't be arrogant.

I'm relatively new to this community and laser hobby so keep that in mind when you are posting

Thanks

InfinitusEquitas said:
You seem to have skipped over the lens, driver, diode and most importantly labor part of the equation there.

If you're getting a laser to lase without those components, you certainly don't need any help from anyone here.

Edit: Damn you guys beat me to it lol.

I know you need those parts, I was about to edit my post with this:
- $55 or $40 for host
- $20 for the heatsink & Aixiz module
- $35 for the Flexdrive w leads, range resistors soldered and current set
- $11 for Aixiz glass lens
- $45 for the diode

but rhd beat me to it. I'm quite proud of myself considering I started this hobby 3 days ago after lots and lots of reading. But thanks I guess guys. I feel a bit pushed to the corner with everyone semi-flaming me, underestimating my knowledge at times (cost), and other times expecting me to know more than I should in 3 days(soldering/building own laser).

InfinitusEquitas · Feb 21, 2012

^^^So you're already looking at over $150...

For a small build you may also want a g1 lens.

With your own pricing, even $200 is not really happening. Not unless you do it yourself.

RyanElectro · Feb 21, 2012

InfinitusEquitas said:
^^^So you're already looking at over $150...

For a small build you may also want a g1 lens.

With your own pricing, even $200 is not really happening. Not unless you do it yourself.

If I follow DTR's guide step by step, it covers assembling all components, including soldering?

hey and thanks for the G1 lens advice; any reason why? G1 is stronger but isn't it not as clean as an Aixiz lens. How does that favour a small build?

rhd · Feb 21, 2012

Don't go G1 if cost is an issue, and you're only looking for ~700mW anyway.

It gives you a bit of a power boost, but in build of 700mW, you have so much extra power available to you that you may as well just increase driver current.

One tip - if this is your first build, buy two 445nm diodes. The chances are somewhat decent that even a good soldering / experienced electronics guru will kill their first diode.

InfinitusEquitas · Feb 21, 2012

rhd said:
Don't go G1 if cost is an issue, and you're only looking for ~700mW anyway.

A G1 will allow him to run the diode at lower current but for the same output... less heat to dissipate, and a better duty cycle results. Divergence suffers a bit, and obviously there is the question of price, but if budget is not an issue, a g1 makes perfect sense:thinking:

WTB: Compact or Ultra-compact laser build (445-450nm)

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