CNI 556 handheld feeler

Hello,
I recently contacted CNI to see if they could make a few more 556 handhelds but at higher outputs (>20mW). They are researching the power output and cost for me now and will get back with me soon. I have specifically asked for the range of 50-100mW and there is no certainty at this time off this output power is possible at a price that is within reach of a hobbiest. I realize this will be a costly endeavor but I was curious to see if there were any other members here who might be interested in having something like this. I suspect it would cut the cost down some to have more than one made so on a long shot I thought I would see if anyone else here would be seriously interested in something like this, understanding it won't be cheap no matter how many are built. As soon as they get back with me on the details I will post more here.
Thanks,
JM

If I recall correctly, the only 556 handhelds they've ever sold, were actually 561nm.

Also, the 20mW 561 that was offered in the GBs recently were $800. A 50-100W will be very expensive. 4 digits, guaranteed. If not $1500+

CNI said:

PGL-III-C-561-5/10/20mW/Unit USD800.00

Click to expand...

bloompyle said:

A 50-100W will be very expensive. 4 digits, guaranteed. If not $1500+

Click to expand...

4 digits? I'm thinking more like 5-6 for that kind of power

They got back with me from CNI. First things first, max power they will make is 20mW. I was persistent about wanting at least 50mW and they basically kept saying the same thing, they are only offering the 20mW. I didn't press them much after the second request. I figure it's technically not feasible.

As far as 20mW goes, they will make another run. One piece is $800 plus S/I, x4 is $780 per laser + S/I, and x10 will get the price down to $760.

$20 to $40 isn't a huge savings when your talking this type of money. Has anyone ever triend to work them down even further on an offer like this? I've personally never dealt with CNI before but I can't imagine they don't have any room to work the price down further.

If there were three other people here with some serious interest I would try to get them down further. $750 shipped seems realistic, possibly lower.

If a few others really want to see how low we can get them and are serious about getting one I would go back and see if more can be knocked off. I don't want to really start negotiating with them without a serious intent to buy. For now i will let time be on my side and wait to see what happens. PM me if anyone wants to discuss this further.

Jm

If memory serves, that's basically the pricing we got way back when.

Also CNI's "556nm" portables have an impressive special function called "5nm boost mode".

(Unfortunately, you can't turn this special function off)

rhd said:

Also CNI's "556nm" portables have an impressive special function called "5nm boost mode".
(Unfortunately, you can't turn this special function off)

Click to expand...

Would you please elaborate? Is that sarcasm? Are you saying there is no difference in the 556 and the 561 I just bought? Or am I trying to read something into what you said that was not intended?

Do you still have yours RHD? If so, you wouldn't be interested in selling would you?

I was thinking there may not be much visable difference at all between the 556 and 561. Has anyone compared these two side by side?

Lastly, RHD you appear to have done some regular business in the past with CNI and may have a little better idea of what they are willing to do there. I saw some really cool DPSS colors they carry in labs that aren't offered in a handheld. Have you tried to have them make a DPSS wavelength that wasn't previously offered as a handheld? I think I assumed that's what happened with this color. If that's the case I would seriously like to have them build a handheld somewhere right at 600nm (can't remember the exact wavelength they make a lab in near there, maybe it was 603 or 605?). If that could be done for around $800 as well would probably order one in the morning.

What he's saying, has been said all over the forum.

The 556nm portables CNI sell, are actually 561. Anyone that has bought a "556" got 561. Tested on a spectrometer.

You want 604 or 607 from them I asked:

CNI said:

The cheapest stability is 5% but which is quite good.

CNI FOB unit price as following,
MRL-FN-607 with 5% stability, 3000USD for 10mW, 3600USD for 30mW
MRL-FN-604 with 5% stability, 3000USD for 10mW, 3600USD for 30mW

Click to expand...

Those were for lab units. forget about a handheld...

Basically, Bloom hit the nail on the head. CNI 556 portables are 561, not 556. There's not much more to it than that.

Regarding their other DPSS wavelengths, trust me when I tell you that we've pushed on all of them, and the response is either that they can't be portable-ized, or the cost is unreal. For example, $3500 or so for the lowest power range of 607, in a portable host. That's only a month old quote.

Long story short, prohibitively expensive (at least for me).

You'll find that there's not a lot of movement in CNI prices on exotic wavelengths.

Wow! So you guys are basically telling me I got two lasers in one! Sweet! Someday I'm gonna put a fancy signature like everyone else with all of my lasers listed in text the color of the laser. Now I can list two in banana green (two in one).

Do either of you know if CNI will sell a bare handheld module in 532 or 473 like the ones formerly supplied by Lasever? Approximate prices of a 700-800mW 532 and 100mW 473 (if available)?

I almost bought the 473 100mW he was selling along with the 556 but decided to try to just find a module since I didn't really care for the host it was in. Sounds like he may have sold it and now I am having "didn't buy it" remorse. Looks like it would have been cheaper to just get his and strip it out. Oh well.....

Thanks for the info on CNI RHD/Bllompyle

No ... You have one laser, doing 561nm. The 556nm lasers they sell are mislabeled, they are not 556nm at all, only 561nm. One laser. One wavelength. Wrongly titled.

I do recall being able to buy modules in the last GB by Scopeguy. A 50mW 473 was $490, and that was the max. I didn't look for others.

I just asked for pricing on a few things, once they reply, I will ask about loose modules in other wavelengths.

As far as 556 / 561, yeah, those are 2 different wavelengths. However, if you buy a 556 or 561 from CNI, you are getting 561 regardless, and only 561. Not a dual-wavelength laser, not a tunable, not a pick your own wavelength laser, 561nm. Period.

Why is PrAYAC so proprietary? I want dpss white and orange.

bloompyle said:

No ... You have one laser, doing 561nm. The 556nm lasers they sell are mislabeled, they are not 556nm at all, only 561nm. One laser. One wavelength. Wrongly titled.

Click to expand...

Sadly, this is the reality. It's annoying, but there's not much that can be done about it.

Blackwolf, I'm intrigued by your "7-color pocket laser". Can you link me to a photo / thread?

Blackwolf, I'm intrigued by your "7-color pocket laser". Can you link me to a photo / thread?

Click to expand...

well bout that... got sent back to square one when I realized my red to green ratio was not big enough. I am going to switch it up and go with the dtr rgb bundle when I have extra money. Alternatively if I can find someone selling like 15-20mW of 532 then I can go through with my original parts. It is going to be built Rog/jayrob style because my friends ps3 died and I got the sled, and there are so many cool optics on that thing.

Its too bad that they still have 556 on their site. I wonder if the labbies truly are 556 and 561? Who knows. Can't imagine the price tag on one of those labbies though. and @jmiller, if you go onto CNI's site, they have a page of modules, and it shows 473 and 532. So yea, you can get them. Sometimes i half wonder if lazerer didn't just resell CNI modules, because they were pretty near 100% identical. Heck, show a CNI module and a laserer module to some random person, i bet they couldn't find a difference.

I'm gonna confirm it here, the 561 is a single line. I have not caught any other lines through any testing, ever.

@Bloom- I guess my attempt at sarcasm and humor didn't translate well enough. I realize I've only got one wavelength (but not according to CNI, to them it would appear I have both wavelengths seems to how they have misrepresented one of their products).

So, technically speaking I have one but, I could however list a "CNI 556" as a jab at CNI.

Either way I believe I will be very happy with this single color.

Ava at CNI said she was looking into the 604-607 in a handheld but I suspect it won't be available and, if it were, would be well beyond reach financially. The highest I think I could stomach would be around $1200 for 20mW. Even then I'm sure I would have a significant amount of buyers remorse.

I am looking towards the day Nichia or Opnext releases something between 590 and 610 in a 1w 9mm at a similar price point as the 520. I guess we would only see that if there was a significant consumer use for that color range and I am not aware of one at the moment (other than LPF memebers).

Cheers!