650nm diodes

UPDATE. Found one from Jetlasers because I saw Hap say he might buy one:
http://jetlasers.org/pl-e-pro/41-pl-e-pro-650nm-red-laser-1w-jetlasers.html#/1-finish-black/52-10x_beam_expander-no/50-battery-no/49-goggles-no/34-power_levels-1w
You can also get one for $150 with 150mW
You can get the 10x beam expander with it for $90 (instead of the usual $100) and there's also a $10 off coupon but I'm not sure if it's for everything.



I know I've mentioned this before in a couple spots but I figured I should just put it out there and see what turns up.
2-3 years ago 650nm was the go to red but as far as what I can tell they have disappeared since the 638nm stuff came out. I mean DTR doesn't even sell a single one regardless of output although it isn't a rare wavelength.
I have some (even 1W) from back then and I know for sure one is a laserbtb. If someone was going to collect wavelengths it would be a given that 650nm would be in it kind of as a no-brainer like 532nm or 445-450nm.
My point is where are they now? Are they suddenly not available anymore so now you hold onto them if you have them? You can't count an LPC-826nm as that is 658/660nm and is definitely darker.
So, any thoughts out there on this?

It is quite interesting indeed. Of course, you can still easily find some 650nm lasers on eBay(although those might be mislabeled).

I believe some places use 635nm diodes due to high visibility. Get them while they last(650nm diodes)'

-Alex

I have seen you state that before so I did some poking around and you are right. It is not any easy WL to find.
I have some lasers in 650mW and you do wonder if you should hang onto them or not. Good luck in your search for those elusive 650nm diodes!!

Thanks, I can't remember where I post stuff as I post all over the place lol.
You guys understand what I mean though. There's nothing being offered and it seems like no-one is talking about it either which to me is just weird since that is what was available back then. I just don't notice anyone else asking the question.
We go through phases here in the forum such as I don't notice much 589nm talk anymore. Guess we have gone through the 589nm must have phase. 532nm is also on the down low as 520nm is the one to have but the divergence of a 532nm is really great.

^Keeps the forum interesting Pete

-Alex

Were those the canned type listed as 650-658nm around 80mw?

The LPC-826 Red? If you mean those that can't be right as they are generally advertised as 150-350mW range and are either shown as 658 or 660nm and have no can. I just bought a bunch more from:
5pcs Mitsubishi 660nm Red Laser TO18 5 6mm LD Diode 200mW 300mW CW LPC826 | eBay
Huge bang for buck diode especially paired with a really cheap driver. More people should buy them to at least practice building although you have to respect that output like a 405nm you can't really see. It's about twice as bright as a 405nm in both beam and spot using the relative brightness calculator. Burns quite strong because of the divergence even though I don't actually know what the divergence is. Sure looks tight to me.

Also while we are discussing reds I never quite know what wavelength to label on some stuff. Some label a 638nm as a 635nm. I've seen the LPC-826 being described as a 650nm. Even though an M462nm is supposedly 462nm Jordan shows the wavelength tests as 464nm. 515, 520 etc can be all over the place too not to mention the 465nm which readily shifts the more it is pushed and I could probably go through this with every diode. Is it 445/447/450? I think diodes should be labeled at what the manufacturer states in their data sheets as the norm when tested at the recommended output. Probably shouldn't have even brought that up.

It is a good topic to bring up. I have sold some of my lasers to research labs that needed it at +/- .5nm a certain WL.
Of course some diodes can be driven to change their nm a bit so output should be stated at what it is outputting for the settings of that laser at that time.

I still enjoy some 660's on a foggy night, the beam quality is excellent.
And as you said they are a good value, if you aim a bunch in the same spot they will burn like a champ, especially if you focus at the intersection points to a needle thin beam. Safety glasses are of course necessary.

Another example of this wavelength discrepancy is with Laserbtb's PL 660's (650)?
I have a PL 660, at least according to their site description, but the label that they attach to the laser states that it is a PL 650.
When I compare it with a low power 650 laser I have, it looks like 650, but without a spectrometer, it's just a guess.

Edit: It looks like their HL and pen series lasers are just as misleading.

I remember when I bought some 638nm diodes they were good for a whopping 7mw and they do look a lot brighter than a 5mw 660nm, but they sure were proud of them. lol Anyone want a trip down memory lane, discounted of course.

Hi Red,
Just bought 5- 660's that man talked about some time back. Going in some pens Between 400 to 450mws out. Yes the 660's are darker but it's a change from 638's. shouldn't be to long now Chinese New year is over so pretty soon.
Thanks for the tip Pman 660's for a good price..

Rich

I heard the 826 was replaced by the 836 but that they weren't really any better.

Mitsubishi ML101U29 25 660nm 300mW 400mW 5 6mm Laser Laser Diode LD | eBay

What's the best 660 and what's the best deal you have found?
I have seen them discounted by the 100 batch, but for 5 or 10 of them?

I think we have the same 1W 650nm B. I would really have to look at all of my stuff to see what 650nm I actually own but I'm pretty sure we bought a bunch of the same things. I don't remember it costing a lot at the time and if it exists where is the diode that they built them with?
The LPC-826 is my go to diode for boredom when I need to build basically because there is nothing to lose. When I say it that way it sounds lame but it isnt. How many diodes with an actual beam can you name that compares. Not a question is it.
You are welcome life I ordered 2 sets of the 5 diodes and one may be here by Saturday so I can verify but I highly doubt there's anything weird about them especially considering I was already buying them from someone in the states for about $5.50 anyways.
Nice to have a bit of normal talk. I'm really tired from all drama. At least now it seems it has died out on "that" issue. Refuse to even name it in this thread.
My bet is DTR knows the answer although I don't know how many years he has actually been selling.

Hi,P man,
Yup can't beat the price and if you fry one or two it won't hurt much. Can't wait to get men should be soon tracking says there in the states a matter of days now.
Throwing one on the PSU soon as they come to see how they run on max current.

rich

Tomorrow am going to purchase 5/10 Dvd 24 burner's just to get the 650nm diodes at a recycle center its so hard finding a 650nm, all you find it 660nm+, today i purchased some dvd player's at goodwill and the diodes are 650 just to low power.