(☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ Resources for red lasers (on a budget).

Re: Recommendations for red laser build/purchase

For Buying a Pre-made laser:
If you're interested in square/cube hosts I think you would like this one here from O-like:
New Stainless Steel 635nm 800mW Red laser flashlight /waterproof [OL-635P-800] - $186.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce
it may be over your budget though

For Building your own Laser:
DTR has diodes here: http://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes
You can find great hosts here from Mrcrouse: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/mrcrouse-s-completely-custom-hosts-84565.html
or here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/mrcrouse-s-custom-hosts-picture-heavy-84563.html
And good drivers here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/x-drive-x-boost-88589.html

If you need cheaper parts check out www.survivallaser.com

Re: Recommendations for red laser build/purchase

Thanks, I found the same host branded Q-line elsewhere. It's hard to find a review on the unit though, could be trash or treasure. I found one mention on the forum which alluded to the possibility that some disliked the host, but no reason given. I contacted the seller and the diode used is Mitsubishi ML501P73 500mW OC to 750+mW. Not sure if divergence or focusing is a big problem with this lens/host. I love the look though. Some others I have seen made hosts similar except with a focusing ring on the end and mirror polished.

DTR has diodes here: http://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes

Click to expand...

I'm extremely tempted to go for the "Oclaro 700mW 638 Diode In Copper Module W/Flexdrive" and either the 3 element or G-2 Lens. Do you think the g-2 lens is worth the extra cost? Any host recommendations for DTR's module with driver? What would you recommend for something for easy on-the-fly focusing?

Re: Recommendations for red laser build/purchase

A 520 above 300mW will either cost upwards of 750 dollars or die very quickly due to overdriving to an abusive degree.

Re: Recommendations for red laser build/purchase

IsaacT said:

A 520 above 300mW will either cost upwards of 750 dollars or die very quickly due to overdriving to an abusive degree.

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I know a 520nm Osram PLP520-B1 120mW can be over-driven to around 300mW (others on the forum were able to get 250mW+), but I don't know the duty cycle or how long it would last with that abuse. 150mW is more realistic for a stable handheld, true. I may have to hold out for the future; if I want my ideal non-DPSS green. 150mW-200mW may be sufficient if the lens is good and divergence is low. I'm interested in it mainly for proof of concept medical research.

Currently the diode is about 70 dollars, as with the 700mW 638nm. Less common diodes are tragically expensive with limited commercial applications. I wonder how long the wait will be for a low cost 1 watt diode, if ever in the foreseeable future.

The G-2 lens will get an a significantly larger power output (30% more) so yes. But, if you don't want to spend that much, buy the acrylic lens one and then buy a separate G-2 type lens from here for only $3 +shipping. This way you can swap out the acrylic lens for the G-2 type lens for better power. As for a host, the easiest, quickest option would be This one and you would need This heatsink to go with it.(Copper is recommended but not needed. You can buy a cheaper aluminum one). For a driver (Assuming you go for the 700mW Oclaro), I recommend This one to get you 1000mW of red goodness

@Photonz

Perfect, this is exactly the good stuff I was looking for. I added your name to the credits. Do you have any more recommendations for quality hosts? This one seems pretty epic. Do you think with an extended heat sink it would still allow for easy access to the lens for focusing?

As far as hosts go the big thing you want to focus on is battery configurations. For red diodes you want a single Lithium Ion. So hosts fit for one 16340 or one 18650 are ideal. Some of my favorites(in order):

1. Any custom host made by Ehgemus.
2. Kryton Groove - this one you must pressfit the diode in.
3. Sinner Cypreus - the copper goes well with red.
4. Leadlight by Jayrob. The chrome ones are gone though.
5. Any stainless steel flashlight host mod by Jayrob.

These are the hosts that fit red the best

Yes, I used that host for one of my builds and it is very easy to focus. Here is a picture of how far the focus ring sticks out of the heatsink.


For more hosts here are some options
501B Kits
MS-SSW-III
You just gotta look around for hosts on this forum. There are an abundance of hosts in all sorts of variations. You can even design your own and ask Ehgemus to build it off your design.

IsaacT said:

As far as hosts go the big thing you want to focus on is battery configurations. For red diodes you want a single Lithium Ion. So hosts fit for one 16340 or one 18650 are ideal. Some of my favorites(in order):

1. Any custom host made by Ehgemus.
2. Kryton Groove - this one you must pressfit the diode in.
3. Sinner Cypreus - the copper goes well with red.
4. Leadlight by Jayrob. The chrome ones are gone though.
5. Any stainless steel flashlight host mod by Jayrob.

These are the hosts that fit red the best

Click to expand...

I actually read you Sinner Cypreus thread previously.
It started with "Oh, this is cool..."


...
...

And ended with...

That was unfortunate.

It makes me extremely nervous driving the Oclaro 700mW with a 1.25A driver. I see you were driving the ML501P73 Mitsubishi 638nm 500mW diode at 1.2A. I hope the new 700mW is more stable at 1.25A, any thoughts?
From the spec sheets:
Mits: Max 800mA, 2.6v
Oclaro: Max 1100mA, 2.8v

@Photonz
I see! That's very interesting, I had imagined it being completely recessed. Thanks for the photo!

So, if one were to do an "expensive" build based on this host, the flexdriver, and G-2 the parts required would be:
Blank Battery Contact Board
Price: $4.99
Drilled Driver Pill & Brass Ring
Price: $4.99
Survival Laser Stainless Steel Host Assembly, Extended and Tapered Heat Sink
Price: $49.99
Oclaro 700mW 638 Diode In Copper Module W/Flexdrive & G-2 Glass Lens
Price: $139.00
Total cost: 198.97

Medium price build with this host:
1.25A Diode Driver
Price:$5.49
Drilled Driver Pill & Brass Ring
Price: $4.99
Survival Laser Stainless Steel Host Assembly, Extended and Tapered Heat Sink
Price: $49.99
Oclaro 700mW 638 Diode In Copper Module W/Leads & Three Element Glass Lens
Price: $85
Total price: $145.47

Cheapy on the cheap build (without fabricating the contact board with pressed spit and ramen) would be:
DIY C6 Host Assembly
Price: $10.89
Copper Heat Sink
Price: $19.99
1.25A Diode Driver
Price:$5.49
Oclaro 700mW 638 Diode In Copper Module W/Leads
Price: $79
S-1 Lens
Est. $5.00
Total Price: $120.37

Correct me if I'm missing any parts.

How about high power (300mw +) super low divergence reds of any wavelength? I can get razor sharp focus on my cheap 20 dollar red. So much so that I can light a green match from 4 feet away. Also, I'd like a 303 style switch on the host (press to fire) if possible. It makes it a lot more precise (and safer) for certain applications.