Suggestions needed, DVD-RW diodes

Hi guys, im getting a couple of DVD-RW

DVD-RW Models are:
LG GSA-H55N
and
LG GSA H54W

I'll be harvesting the diode tomorrow and let u know more then.

I figured ill be building a DDL driver LM317.

First option:
DIY: How To Make A Laser Diode Driver Circuit - Video

Second:
Laser driver - It can be done

Then i came across this build:
YouTube - DIY: Make a $3 Laser Diode Driver!

Limitations:
I dont know the mA needed by the diodes, how do i find that out?
And it seems the smalles pot available around here is a 1KOhm, which i recon it would be really hard to adjust.
There r also preset : 100 y 500 Ohm

Taking under concideration the pot issue, r any of them good, or should i just leave them out and go for the bare bones third option driver, provided i can find out the mA needed ?

Thanks!

What is the brand and model # of the drives you are getting?

When I make a LM317 based driver I don't use a pot. They are not really needed, just use the correct resistors to get the desired output.

Kevlar said:

What is the brand and model # of the drives you are getting?

When I make a LM317 based driver I don't use a pot. They are not really needed, just use the correct resistors to get the desired output.

Click to expand...

DVD-RW Models are:
LG GSA-H55N
and
LG GSA H54W

I'll be harvesting the diode tomorrow and let u know more then.

Any specs known on those?

So the pot is not needed if you already know the output ?
And/or to use multiple diodes from the same driver and change the current ?