Nice host options?

A few months ago I got a 520nm laser diode and a 12mm module, it worked perfectly with my psu, but now I want to put it in a host.

I'm a student and my budget is quite small, like 20-30$ for the host (I have to order the driver parts and the pcb yet and is going to be expensive)

Throught the years over LPF I have seen many host options, like the kryton grooves, the popular WF-501B, but now that BudgetBeams is over I can't get cheap heatsinks/hosts. Anyone know what good host I can get for cheap and shipped internationally??

Many thanks to all

Check Survival Laser International Home. The owner is an active member, and there are quite a few nice and reasonably priced hosts.

Otherwise, there are hosts that might work available from Chinese sellers on eBay that are very cheap.

You could also try Odic Force in the UK, they have a few hosts to select from. :yh:

Here is a link for the 501B flashlight for $3.66 with free shipping. You can get the aluminum heat sink and contact boards from Mainely Laser, I believe. This is about as cheap as it gets.

Ultrafire 501B 7500 LM CREE T6 LED 18650 Battery Flashlight 5 Mode Torch Lamp TB | eBay

The 501B seems a great option, you know if Eudaimonium still selling his heatsinks?

He probably is, although he's not very active here lately. It looks like he was last on LPF on July 7th, so I'll bet he's checking in for his PM's.
You could also send him an email, I'm pretty sure that he'd turn a heatsink for you.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/eudaimonium-s-machine-shop-73749.html

paul1598419 said:

Here is a link for the 501B flashlight for $3.66 with free shipping. You can get the aluminum heat sink and contact boards from Mainely Laser, I believe. This is about as cheap as it gets.

Ultrafire 501B 7500 LM CREE T6 LED 18650 Battery Flashlight 5 Mode Torch Lamp TB | eBay

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My little 2 cents..
Thanks paul as that just about the cheapest iv'e seen them even in full flashlight form
Usually for that price they are just hosts..
Other than the price they kinda are the prefect all around host as everyone already knows
Can handle 2W+ and being able hold 2 18350's and choices of host colors to mach your wavelength..Have 3 with a M140, and another with a PLB520B all hosts color matched and another already made plug and play from Lifetime17 with AL sink that just waiting for a module and i'm thinking of putting a NDG700 in?
Still though I don't have one in flashlight form and curious to how good they are light wise, so going to order a few at that price..
GatoX, have you messaged Lifetime17 as he can whip up a sink for you unless shipping from the US is really expensive.

If you are willing to do a review I will give you my brand new host for that price! PM me.

It is one of the most advanced hosts on the market. Unlike other custom hosts it is not made from a flashlight, it was designed by me (an engineer) with heat management and compact power in mind. It is the most compact powerful laser host that I know of.

I will have complete pictures tomorrow. Infact, for 30 dollars I will throw in a G-series lens. Other builders on this forum charge 55 dollars just for that lens!! Oh, and I will include a rechargeable battery! All you need is the diode and driver...

Pics will be great, I'd like to see your new host; we can always use more host designs.
I don't know of anyone asking $55 for a G lens though, DTR is selling them for only $26.

Jayrob charges 55 dollars for a G series upgrade.

Here is the pic. you have to understand it is not done. I will have complete pics this weekend!

It will be hardanodized, The heat sink will be exposed for better heat transfer, and it will have groves and be painted!

I am debating on the price. Somewhere around 90-120 dollars since it will come with an ez focus knob and a g-series lens. Custom makers on this forum charge the same for modified flashlights.

But I want to help GatoX out... since my goal is to make this product more affordable.

There are several members here that offer custom hosts, some for less than you. I don't see anything new or amazing about it. Just an aluminum shell with a copper core. It has been done here for some years now. Why would you paint it? A brushed aluminum host would look better and release heat into the surrounding air more efficiently.

BowtieGuy said:

Pics will be great, I'd like to see your new host; we can always use more host designs.
I don't know of anyone asking $55 for a G lens though, DTR is selling them for only $26.

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Good point--not to mention Sanwu offers a G2 option on their "pocket laser model" for $10 + it is a rational design with rational outputs for it size and 10440 battery at a rational full retail price for a completely finished laser product of $60 to $100

See: https://www.sanwulasers.org/product/pocket

paul1598419 said:

There are several members here that offer custom hosts, some for less than you. I don't see anything new or amazing about it. Just an aluminum shell with a copper core. It has been done here for some years now. Why would you paint it? A brushed aluminum host would look better and release heat into the surrounding air more efficiently.

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Exactly right.
SL's lack of any track record, huge credibility gap, and meaningless assertions speak for themselves.
Could be wrong but seems that Solomon Laser has little, if any, experience in real world hands on practical laser design, knowledge/experience of hand held laser building, design or engineering, or the many aspects and problems that need to be addressed and is just imagining what would be cool/might sell if....

All the "best thing since sliced bread" marketing hyperbole pant load of daydreams aside---if he expects to sell more than one or two these miracle hosts to anyone on LPF then he would be wise to give one to an interested experienced LPF builder who can build it, do a review and report all this hosts pros and cons. Would be a good idea, if he can come up with a proven tried and true final product, to do a Group Buy feeler and see how many LPF might be interested in buying one before he jumps off the high dive into a pool with no water and orders the 200 piece min. order made by a Chinese shop that nobody wants or needs for any reason and only sells 4 or 5 in the next 10 years.

I've sold full 2x18650 hosts for less than that, and I'm not sure what you mean by "modified flashlights"; some make heatsinks and others make hosts. Most of mine are specifically designed for integrated 12mm modules, and sometimes other sizes (for custom orders).

Although with that price it's a good thing you're including the lens which does make it a bit more worth it. It might be a good idea to offer your host without a lens for a lower price.

@GatoX, Like others have said, Lifetime17 has some of the nicest flashlight heatsinks around, I'm sure he's got something for a 501-B. Best to see what he's got in stock. Unfortunately I haven't seen Eudaimonium post for a while. :undecided:

Wao, I was a couple of days out and there're a ton of replies!

Solomon, what I'm looking for is a complete laser body, not only the housing module, would be great to analyse it but I think that another member with a thermal camera and better equipment etc would do better.

Definitely I'm going to ask to Lifetime17 to see what he have!

Eudaimonium was a great option for me, I'm not in a hurry, I expect hear from he soon