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Aquarius II | NDB7675

IsaacT

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AQUARIUS II
Note: My 5000th Post!

--

This is to be a multimedia thread regarding my newest build. This laser makes use of the laser host
I designed and Ehgemus fabricated(SEEN HERE) and the brand new Nichia diode carried by DTR. Notable links
regarding the latter can be found HERE(spectroscopy of), HERE(output measurements of), and HERE(sale of).

--

In this thread I will touch briefly upon the design of the host and summarize the previous thread,
I will go over the build and the challenges faced, I will give measurements of beam output and
other specs, and lastly I will present various multimedia for your viewing pleasure.

-

THE HOST

Here are the diagrams I drew up, followed by the host Ehgemus produced for me from them.













The host is built exceedingly well and feels quite solid in the hand.

-

THE BUILD

I faced a few challenges when putting this build together. Firstly, due to the large momentary AV
switch used in this build, there was very little space inside the host. Unfortunately I did
not think to inform DTR of my space limits before hand, and the module arrived with the back
half of the module on. After trying many different methods of removing it, not the least of which
was twisting with a vice, I used my dremel to cut the back half away. I managed it, however
the first cut made went slightly too deep and I ended up with this:



For those who may not know, the driver is not supposed to have that groove in it, strictly speaking.
So, after messaging DTR and being scolded for my use of force and affirmed that the driver would
most likely kill my diode, I got the bright idea to simply pillage a previous build and replace the driver.
A most spectacular repurposing I must say, and it turned out to be quite a boon to the laser.

Another challenge I faced was that I did not pay attention to the polarity of the diode pins when
I removed the driver leaving me with no idea of how to connect the new driver. However, I
figured that the old 9mm diodes and the newer, higher wavelength ones would share a pinout so I
used the diode I new and luckily it worked out.

So I carefully stuck my soldering iron into the back half remaining of the module and desoldered
the BORKED driver. I then soldered on some wires as I knew I wouldn't be able to get a good connection
sticking the soldering iron in again and trying it directly.

Once I got everything wired up, I stuck some batteries in and fired her up. Blue. Everywhere.....
But mostly in front of my face. Yay! Now to keep the module in there.

Well, this build is not a set screw one, so I needed to adhere the module to the inside of the host.
Luckily, the module was a tight fit, so I merely put a dab of superglue on one side. I may need to
service the build in the future, so epoxy is the last thing I want in there.

Finally, I got the lens to the best focus position and pushed the module in such that the focus
adapter I designed would be nearly flush when focused to infinity. Then I let it sit for 30 seconds
(superglue aint no joke yall) and bada bing bada boom! Laser!

SPECIFICATIONS

The specifications for this laser are as follows:

Wavelength: 462nm < x < 474nm
Output: 1.8W
Battery Configuration: 2 x 18350/16340
Switch Type: Momentary
Lens Type: 3-Element Glass

As you can see, there is much I do not know as of yet. Divergence is the same as your standard 9mm Diode.





--

PICTURES & VIDEO

















And lastly, the first victim of this laser chose to guard my back door. I gained my entry swiftly.



--

CONCLUSION

I hope you all enjoyed this build. I am running at 2.4A and have ZERO regrets...so far.
This build runs a little hot, but the main reason for that is that the host has that trench around
the module. This is terrible for heatsinking. But I am very happy with it all around. The most
perfect blue I have ever seen.

Thanks,
Isaac

PS! Did a nice comparison of 445 and my 469. A bit hard because the 445 is more powerful, but here is the best I got. Really makes the 445 look purple!





 
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Nice build WBS, looks like you took a great deal of time to make sure the quality was excellent!!! One thing I personally do not like is the the LED button, but of course I completely understand others find it awesome :p

-Alex
 

BowtieGuy

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The Aquarius II lives! :beer:
Sharp looking build Isaac, great choice of diode for your custom host. Speaking of sharp, be careful with that dremel!
That is a beautiful shade of blue, it does look a lot like the 473nm's. :kewlpics:

You do know that your Aquarius II is now a murder weapon, and must be confiscated. I will volunteer to hold it for you till the investigation is done. ;)

P.S. - Almost forgot to congratulate you on your 5000th, hope to see 5000 more!
 
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I myself on the other hand absolutely dig the blue LED button! It compliments this diode and host perfectly! :beer:

And congrats on 5000K! Quite a milestone dare I say :D
 

toutan

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I want to watch the real thing by an animation.
A host is a very splendid thing.
 
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OOh that's nice. Can't wait to get mine... So that's fairly accurate in color. Mine's gonna be
pretty well heatsinked too, so hopefully I'll get a better runtime.
 
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I'm with will manners on this. That LED button is awesome looking and the laser as a whole is just absolutely stunning.

Great job putting this together!
 

gismo

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Literally aqua cool stuff:D. Nice present you've given yourself to your 5000th post, sir. Based on the pictures it looks like nearly hand-to-hand shake with the legendary 473nm wavelength, but I assume it's the camera in work here. Still, great blue colour to look at, trapped in another lovely host presented by Ehgemus.

Keep 'em builds coming, Isaac:gj:
 
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I really liked this host when I saw your earlier post about it - the brushed look reminds of SS or titanium, and even more now that the build is done. The LED button looks like almost a perfect match to the beam in that first beamshot. Nicely done.
 
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Very nice build! I really like the button, very nice match to the lasers color.
I hope I don't have the same trouble with the back of the module.

Congrats on 5000th post!
 
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I was hoping you would put that diode in that host! Not kidding- when i first saw the diode, i thought "That would look sick in that custom host WBS had made", and boom! I know its a lot of money, but it would be amazing to have a matching RGBBV set of these hosts- BB being this diode and a 445. And I agree with Krowbar, the first few pics at least (and i think its because of the darker lighting) make it look titanium, which is even more awesome. Not the traditional shiny, almost plasticy look of aluminum (my opinion, dont shoot me :p)


Also, congrats on being a̶ ̶p̶o̶s̶t̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶r̶e̶ 5,000 posts :na:
 

IsaacT

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Nice build WBS, looks like you took a great deal of time to make sure the quality was excellent!!! One thing I personally do not like is the the LED button, but of course I completely understand others find it awesome :p

-Alex

One thing that I have sort of developed is an obsession with elegance and exclusivity. I miss being completely raptured by my old project box LPC builds but I love filling out my collection with the best I can do.

The Aquarius II lives! :beer:
Sharp looking build Isaac, great choice of diode for your custom host. Speaking of sharp, be careful with that dremel!
That is a beautiful shade of blue, it does look a lot like the 473nm's. :kewlpics:

You do know that your Aquarius II is now a murder weapon, and must be confiscated. I will volunteer to hold it for you till the investigation is done. ;)

P.S. - Almost forgot to congratulate you on your 5000th, hope to see 5000 more!

I appreciate your willingness to be so helpful, but I'll take my chances ;)

I myself on the other hand absolutely dig the blue LED button! It compliments this diode and host perfectly! :beer:

And congrats on 5000K! Quite a milestone dare I say :D

I am glad to hear it! For me, the AV switch is something I always wanted to try. Ehgemus was extremely helpful in making my visions a reality. And yeah, when I got the host the first time I didn't know what to put in it. Then the diodes came out and I knew it was destined to be.

A host is a very splendid thing.

It lifts us up where we belong!


OOh that's nice. Can't wait to get mine... So that's fairly accurate in color. Mine's gonna be
pretty well heatsinked too, so hopefully I'll get a better runtime.

Hopefully. Also I was thinking. Personally, the more inefficient this diode, the better, as the more inefficient ones tend to range higher apparently. Never thought I would dream of inefficiency. Lol.

I'm with will manners on this. That LED button is awesome looking and the laser as a whole is just absolutely stunning.

Great job putting this together!

Glad to hear it man! I love making something people enjoy.

Amazing build! :drool:

Literally aqua cool stuff:D. Nice present you've given yourself to your 5000th post, sir. Based on the pictures it looks like nearly hand-to-hand shake with the legendary 473nm wavelength, but I assume it's the camera in work here. Still, great blue colour to look at, trapped in another lovely host presented by Ehgemus.

Keep 'em builds coming, Isaac:gj:

I did as much work on my white balance as I could to get the color exactly as I see it. The first three are the closest IMO. Also the one where you just see a faint beam and the tip of the laser. And as far as Ehgemus goes, i cannot say enough good things about his host fabrication services. If anyone needs a host, go hit him up for some quality unique work. He doesn't mass produce them, and that is a big plus IMO.

I really liked this host when I saw your earlier post about it - the brushed look reminds of SS or titanium, and even more now that the build is done. The LED button looks like almost a perfect match to the beam in that first beamshot. Nicely done.

The host in person looks ever so slightly brighter than Titanium and nearly identical to SS. A little nicer shine to it.

Very nice build! I really like the button, very nice match to the lasers color.
I hope I don't have the same trouble with the back of the module.

Congrats on 5000th post!

If you don't have to, don't remove the back half of the module. And yes, I was very happy that the button matched :)

I was hoping you would put that diode in that host! Not kidding- when i first saw the diode, i thought "That would look sick in that custom host WBS had made", and boom! I know its a lot of money, but it would be amazing to have a matching RGBBV set of these hosts- BB being this diode and a 445. And I agree with Krowbar, the first few pics at least (and i think its because of the darker lighting) make it look titanium, which is even more awesome. Not the traditional shiny, almost plasticy look of aluminum (my opinion, dont shoot me :p)


Also, congrats on being a̶ ̶p̶o̶s̶t̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶r̶e̶ 5,000 posts :na:

Your wish is my command *illustrious bow* As far as matching sets go, however, I prefer to keep my builds one of a kind as much as possible. Besides - I have a very exciting build in the pipeline right now that will cost me quite a bit. My GF will kill me lol. Personally, I don't think the host looks like aluminum at all even in person. The brushed look is amazing.

--

Thanks guys for all the comments! My favorite part of building is being able to share the results with you guys. My family doesn't get it, my girlfriend doesn't know to appreciate the newer color blue. My coworkers are too easily impressed. You guys present the true bar with which to measure one's results.

:beer:
-Isaac
 
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Nice :) , So it does seems to be significantly different than the 445nm diodes.

Really liked the pictures ! Thanks for sharing :beer:
 

DTR

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Great work. Glad to see the driver was replaced without any problems and that host is one of the best I have seen. Awesome build.:beer:
 
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Nice! I'd rep you but I can't. I was going to do something similar to this, but a bit bigger! looks kickass! gotta love blue...that's such a beautiful color
 




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