Questions regarding 650 and 635nm pointers.

The next laser I'm considering is a red, probably a 635 or a 650. After doing some searching I think I understand that the 650 has better divergence but a dimmer beam.
I have seen some pics of some 635nm with some pretty bad divergence yet also saw pics that the beam looked great even outdoors It made me pause to order till I found out more. I'm in for the beam, I'm not a burner so I don't want to get something thats not acceptably tight.

How much do lens's help out with the 635's? Do most lasers come with len's to help better the divergence or is this something I need to ask the seller first? Does a 635 with a good lens have better divergence than a 650nm?

Which would you prefer if you could only own one or the other and if you dont mind could you say why?
Cheers and thanks,

Well I only have low power 635 and 650nm lasers so I don't feel qualified to comment on the popular 638nm diodes sold by DTR, at least some have a large rectangular or ribbon shaped beam, however I can tell you I prefer 635 over 650 because for the same power its brighter and a slightly different color. The 650 is a darker red and the 635/638 is a brighter slightly orange red color. Hopefully others with red lasers will comment on this.

Alan

Single mode will usually have a better
beam/dot that multimode. The 635nm can be
either single or multimode. The 650nm are
from DVD technology, so almost all are
single mode. 635nm has a definite
advantage though in terms of visibility.
I'm no good at picking favorites. I must
have both!

I'd get a 650nm from sci fi lasers, they aren't that expensive, you'll be pleased with the divergence. since you are not a burner, get it with the 3 element, which is what it comes with by default anyway. it'll rob some power and you'll have a slightly wider beam at aperture, but the divergence is somewhat better than a single element lens. you'll crap your pants when you see how far away the dot is visible and still tiny. incredible distances. the beam is dim but visible

http://www.sflasers.us/SF502B_650nm_Red/p2035127_12181905.aspx

you may want to get a laser that uses this diode:

https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlp...170mw-635nm-single-mode-laser-diode-hl63133dg

it is single mode. with a 3 element lens it's divergence will be very colse to the other I mentioned, not sure which is better, though I could test it. they're both very good, many times better than a multi-mode. this one's beam will be much brighter than the other's, I myself actually prefer the deeper red color, but they're both really cool

Thanks all of you, this is all very helpful.
Shakenawake- I just ordered a 2W 450nm from Sci-fi 4 days ago and was also going to get the 880mW 635nm in stainless but decided to wait until I knew more. I really like that host seen here. The 650's are sold out atm. Thats a great price though on the 650 so I think Ill throw TheJoker an email and see if he will still be offering them.
thanks again,
Cheers

that 880mW 635 will be multimode, the beam resembles a ribbon more than a line, even a 3 element only does so much to correct

$190 is an awful lot to pay for a 900mW 638.

It's using a $43 diode, a $10 G9 lens, a $10 host, and an unknown driver (but potentially a fairly inexpensive buck - the current requirements are low). I don't know what the heatsinks in those hosts cost to make (way back when, I had a couple heatsinks made for that exact same host and they were under $20).

At any rate, it sure doesn't add up to a lot of hard costs in that build.

I think a MUCH better route would be to get a host you love from Eghemus or Jayrob, and build your own. For a bit over half the price, you'll have a much cooler laser, and the benefit of the experience of building it.

Plus, I couldn't tell from the scifi lasers site, but it looks to me like they don't provide you with safety glasses. If you go the route above, you'll have extra wiggle room in your budget to buy safety glasses, which is a must at that power.

Good info thanks guys. Im glad i didnt order that laser because a ribbon beam is not at all what I would like from a red laser.

I have been looking at jayrobs build kits and agree that probably is my next step. Builds is a bit intimidating because I have such little working knowledge of these types of things. However the hot options he offers sounds like its pretty easy to complete so I'd like to start there.
Cheers,