tweaking a 400mW green laser

Spyderz20x6 · Mar 26, 2009

lowell said:
Hey Spyder, it did average around 115mW, but on my Laserbee it actually hit 146mW. However, no matter how I try to focus the beam, I can't keep the beam tight enough to see it hit objects at anything over 150 yards or so. The beam divergence is just too great. Is this normal? Is this only meant for up close burning? I figured it would "point" a little further.. :-?

Read this thread

:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1219161671

WRM · Mar 26, 2009

[quote author=DIGITDUCK link=1234424974/144#159 date=1238103717]Hi Lowell

If you want a really good and " cheap " laser, then buy from CNI i have the 500 mw greenie from them.

Digitduck,
How much did it cost for the CNI 500? I have a PGL III-250 that stays steady at about 290mW (great laser).

Also, Lowell, if you can look past the nonsense that you put up with, that was a great price for the laser if it continues to operate and peak at that range. Bob's manufacturer told me to expect a 15 to 20 % drop in power if we wanted to add an IR filter (extra cost $3 per laser). I think that everyone here would be curious to know if these figures are real. (That could be 100mW of IR). They really should put IR filters on all of these powerful greenies; but unfortunately many overseas manufacturers are concerned with sheer power numbers and not safety. (Even if you are wearing protective goggles for 532nm, you could be getting hit with lots of invisible IR at multiple wavelengths. Take caution. Also, I would not bring that laser to the airport. There is way too much potential for trouble. Bill

lowell · Mar 27, 2009

WRM I think you're right not to risk trying to fly with it. I really wanted to bring it on this trip, since I'm visiting family, and will have plenty of down time. However, since I didn't hear from anyone saying it was ok, I didn't risk it. The last thing I wanted after all this, was it have it confiscated by some high school drop out working the metal detector at the airport.

I'm sitting at the bar at LAX, (without my laser) getting as much liquor in me as possible before my connection. [smiley=beer.gif]

So, as far as the IR filter, I was told the same thing by Boblaser, a drop in power of about 15%. Now that I think of it, I did request one with my initial order. I actually haven't thought to check for one. But uh, not to sound too stupid, on this type of laser, what exactly would an IR filter on this thing look like?

Oh, and as far as protective goggles,

I bought some off of eBAY that claim to block 450nm-540nm, AND 800nm-2000nm. So if that's true, I'm protected from the green, and whatever IR that might be spewed out.

Spyderz20x6 · Mar 27, 2009

lowell said:
WRM I think you're right not to risk trying to fly with it. I really wanted to bring it on this trip, since I'm visiting family, and will have plenty of down time. However, since I didn't hear from anyone saying it was ok, I didn't risk it. The last thing I wanted after all this, was it have it confiscated by some high school drop out working the metal detector at the airport.

I'm sitting at the bar at LAX, (without my laser) getting as much liquor in me as possible before my connection. [smiley=beer.gif]

So, as far as the IR filter, I was told the same thing by Boblaser, a drop in power of about 15%. Now that I think of it, I did request one with my initial order. I actually haven't thought to check for one. But uh, not to sound too stupid, on this type of laser, what exactly would an IR filter on this thing look like?

Oh, and as far as protective goggles, I bought some off of eBAY that claim to block 450nm-540nm, AND 800nm-2000nm. So if that's true, I'm protected from the green, and whatever IR that might be spewed out.

Noooooo....

You bought ZoneStealth goggles didn't you?
They are known to be cheap knockoffs :-/

lowell · Mar 27, 2009

I think it might have been zonestealth. That name sounds familiar. Honestly, are they that bad? Bad enough not to use them? I do have several other pairs, certain lasers I've bought have come with them... It's just the idea of blocking 532nm and 800nm+ sounded pretty good, obviously :

Too good to be true?

pseudolobster · Mar 27, 2009

If you want goggles that are guaranteed to protect you from a both, you'd be looking at something like this: http://store.oemlasersystems.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_10_15&products_id=40

Those would protect you from a direct hit from both a high powered green handheld, as well as a mid-to-high powered IR leak for at least a couple seconds.

Here's a neat calculator I found for determining what OD is necessary: http://www.laser-professionals.com/resources/easyhazweb.htm though really this discussion would belong on our Law and Safety board.

DIGITDUCK · Mar 27, 2009

WRM said:
[quote author=DIGITDUCK link=1234424974/144#159 date=1238103717]Hi Lowell

If you want a really good and " cheap " laser, then buy from CNI i have the 500 mw greenie from them.

Digitduck,
How much did it cost for the CNI 500? I have a PGL III-250 that stays steady at about 290mW (great laser).

Also, Lowell, if you can look past the nonsense that you put up with, that was a great price for the laser if it continues to operate and peak at that range. Bob's manufacturer told me to expect a 15 to 20 % drop in power if we wanted to add an IR filter (extra cost $3 per laser). I think that everyone here would be curious to know if these figures are real. (That could be 100mW of IR). They really should put IR filters on all of these powerful greenies; but unfortunately many overseas manufacturers are concerned with sheer power numbers and not safety. (Even if you are wearing protective goggles for 532nm, you could be getting hit with lots of invisible IR at multiple wavelengths. Take caution. Also, I would not bring that laser to the airport. There is way too much potential for trouble. Bill

i have paid 700 euro for it excl. shipping. In USD it is nearly the same what lowell paid for the 700 mw from bob. But the quality is pretty good it does not get so hot as others...the boblaser one i had to shut off after one minute....in one minute i feel nothing from the temp Of the PGL.

WRM · Mar 27, 2009

The IR filters that I've seen look like little aquamarine colored squares that are mounted above the diode. See the pic below. Bill

rog8811 · Mar 27, 2009

that are mounted above the diode

:-/
Mounted after all the rest of the optics..... you don't want to stop the IR coming out of the pump....or am I missing something?

Regards rog8811

lowell · Apr 7, 2009

I'm back, did you all miss me?

Didn't think so. Anyway, I'm back in town. I was at my local Irish Pub hangout today, lighting matches from six feet away down the bar. Good times. ;D Anyway, I'm looking forward to a really high powered IR laser "pointer". Hopefully Spyder will be helping me with that here shortly. In the mean time, it's nice to be home. By the way, does anyone know the laws regarding air travel with lasers? I would have like to bring one, but I didn't dare let it be confiscated. If anyone knows the laws, I'd appreciate the info....

lowell · Apr 7, 2009

No one missed me :'(

Lotus_Darkrose · Apr 7, 2009

Check the Safety & Legal Issues section. There's a few threads about people bringing them on airplanes and how to go about it.

lowell · Apr 8, 2009

Thanks Lotus.... I'll read up on the rules. I can just imagine some airport security schmuck who barely got his GED looking at a laser pointer like a monkey doing a math problem :-?. Then deciding it must be part of an Al Queda plot. Then comes the full body cavity search. :-/

Spyderz20x6 · Apr 8, 2009

lowell said:
Thanks Lotus.... I'll read up on the rules. I can just imagine some airport security schmuck who barely got his GED looking at a laser pointer like a monkey doing a math problem :-?. Then deciding it must be part of an Al Queda plot. Then comes the full body cavity search. :-/

You shouldn't have a problem if you keep it in your carry-on with the batteries taken out.
I always bring my lasers on airplanes.

laser83 · Apr 8, 2009

lowell said:
Thanks Lotus.... I'll read up on the rules. I can just imagine some airport security schmuck who barely got his GED looking at a laser pointer like a monkey doing a math problem :-?. Then deciding it must be part of an Al Queda plot. Then comes the full body cavity search. :-/

I ended up reading through this whole thread because I'm trying to learn information about modifying green lasers in a positive way. I have an excellent builder here on the forums working on a 450mW green laser for me (secret project). Ideally I hope the output turns out be more waiting on a module and then we'll know.

I just want to congratulate everyone for showing so much restraint here. There is a difference between ignorance and willful ignorance. You just got lucky with that bob's laser deal, and stop insulting people based on education, I truly find that extremely offensive. Again you are so lucky to be getting the help you are here. 99% of the internet is not so civil or kind.

I'll show civility by leaving this thread alone besides my comment.

laser83 · Apr 8, 2009

Spyderz20x6 said:
You shouldn't have a problem if you keep it in your carry-on with the batteries taken out.
I always bring my lasers on airplanes.

Thanks, I didn't know it was possible and safe to take them through as a carry on. Well they usually look like flashlights anyway.

tweaking a 400mW green laser

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