First DIY Laser HELP!!!!!

Hi

I have extracted a diode from a 16x DVD burner and got the diode i was looking for. It was working perfectly when i took it outt. Unfortunately i burnt it out tyring to remove the solder off the sides of the diodes, cause it wont fit in my aixiz housing. Desperately i searched ebay for a clean laser diode i could use. I then purchased this item

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...=53141&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST

It is using the same diode as the Stonetek ones,( From what it says) and its preinstalled in an Aixiz Housing.


Is this a good buy i have made.???????????

Can you trust the diodes bought from Ebay?


Also i have built a DDL driver thats working perfectly. Up to what ma can i run this diode to to achieve a nice BURNING output and not sacrificing diode life too much

Hope someone can answer

Thanks

Fatboyslim

Well this is how I see it. I'm new to lasers also ad if I spent the money I would just go with it. You've already bought it, why worry about it? With proper heatsinking, I'm sure 150mW would last for a long time and if it doesn't you should buy diodes from Tommy BluRay. He sells them on here and they are priced great for a budget. As far as I can tell, it looks legit, you just have to try it out.

Maybe that helps.

-Mitch