445nm Lens Comparisons!

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Hey does it help the splash any if you were to take a black marker or spray black paint on the inside of that retainer so that it is less reflective?

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

I tried that a long time ago with blu-ray and didn't get any improvement...

The small aperture sleeve does give a lot of improvement though!

See here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/f...-31-increase-vs-aixiz-22497-4.html#post505071

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Update for 445/AixiZ 405 glass lenses...

There's more than meets the eye to EzFocus adapters...

Fitting it properly, is not only knowing the host size, but it must be fit to the lens being used, depending on how far it sticks out the front. (at focus)

If the heatsink uses an AixiZ module, there is normally room for adjustment by moving the module position and setting it with the set screw.

For these new 445 A130 diodes, if your planning on using the AixiZ 405 lens, which is the best result for an off the shelf cheap solution. The lens sticks out farther than normal lenses.

I am working on a custom focus knob that is specifically for this lens with a 445 build.

I'm planning on having it the same diameter as an AixiZ focus ring. So that you can put a dust cap on it...






This way you can have a nice clean finish if using an AixiZ 405 glass lens with a 445 A130 build... (so that it doesn't look like it's sticking out the front)

Especially if you have a small build that doesn't have room for module positioning. Or if you have one of my press fit modules for the 18650 kit. Then you will want one of these custom focus knobs for sure...

I have some full length thread lenses coming, so I may just offer a lens with the custom focus knob for $25 plus $3 dollars shipping.

Or just the custom focus knob for $15 plus $2 dollars shipping...

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

To cut down on splash, (Bionic-Badger's post reminded me) you could try Edge-Blackening. It's similar to what he described, and after digging around for my Edmund Optics catalog, I finally found what sounded so familiar. It's normally used for stray light entering a system, but in this case it may help as well, combined with blackening the inside of the lens holder.

Edmund Optics said:

Click to expand...

Edge-Blackening - Edmund Optics


Of course this may not help at all, but I figured I'd mention it just in case it may.

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Hmmm... I see said the blind man...

I could probably just use a sharpie to blacken the edge of the optic huh?

I thought he was talking about blackening the inside of the sleeve/retainer, which I had tried before...

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

He was talking about painting the sleeve black which would reduce the light reflected off it that would hit the edge of the lens. There would still be some light reflected though so blackening the edge would reduce the scatter even further.
What's with all the linkbacks?

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Not sure about the link backs...

Others must have posted this thread in other sites...

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

jayrob said:

Hmmm... I see said the blind man...

I could probably just use a sharpie to blacken the edge of the optic huh?

I thought he was talking about blackening the inside of the sleeve/retainer, which I had tried before...

Click to expand...

I like to do this with all my lenses. I rember we had a discussion about this last year. http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/can-splash-removed-blocked-40774-2.html#post547398

It does work pretty well in most lens setups.

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Jay:

I have a customer who masks the laser diode window with black paint. Same effect.
Yes, painting the perimeter of the lens can cut down on splash.
You just have to get the size right.

any results with the two lenses I sent you?
I know the one was 11 mm, but I included it for a test, if you had a way to hold it near the diode.
Will

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Is the default acrylic lens ok to use? I dont have any glass ones and its been working, but I've been keeping the power low in fear something may melt..

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

jayrob said:

Update!

Hey I tested the 405-G-1 with my custom 'small aperture sleeve/retainer' and it is better than the AixiZ 405 glass lens... (IMHO) Edit: After further testing, I still like the AixiZ 405 glass lens better for this diode...

Here's some initial pictures and results. I'll do some more comparison's later in the dark.

But it also seems to burn better at close distance with you focus it as best as possible.

More testers needed!

P.S. I tested it with blu-ray and it cleans up the dot amaizinly! It is about 10% less power that without the custom small aperture sleeve, but it is a very much improved dot. Pretty much as good as I could have hoped for...

For blu-ray, it would still be about 16% more power vs AixiZ acrylic. (back opened)

The custom 'small aperture sleeve/retainer' for the 405-G-1 cleans up the splash a lot, but in my honest opinion, I still like the look of the AixiZ 405 glass lens better with this 445 diode...

Click to expand...

I got a chance to work with the small aperture sleeve today. My findings match Jayrob's.

With the 445nm diode, although there is a slight improvement in the beam/spot, the AixiZ 405 lens still gives a better beam profile. You loose more output with the AixiZ, but if all you are worried about is bragging rights for output, you shouldn't worry too much about beam profile anyway.

Where this small aperture shines is with the 12X ( I didn't test an 8X). The splash was significantly reduced on the 405nm spot.

I didn't take the time to make careful output comparisons. I'm in the middle of another project and I figure this component is really all about beam shape anyway.

This small aperture insert will stay on my 12X. I will continue to use the AixiZ 405nm lens on my personal 445nm laser.

Jay, do you have a thread about this small aperture. I will re-post this info there if you can point me to it.

Peace,
dave

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Jayrob --- Many pages of stuff here. Are the 405G-1 lens assemblies $27 or $55 ?? I'm confused.

HMike

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Thanks for getting back with your findings Dave...

I figured you would come to the same conclusions as I did.

I did not make a thread for this modification because it was only an experiment for this new 445 diode.

For this 445 diode, I don't think we will find a better lens (for the price anyway) than the AixiZ 405 glass lens. That just threads right into an AixiZ module...

Thanks again!

Hemlock_Mike said:

Jayrob --- Many pages of stuff here. Are the 405G-1 lens assemblies $27 or $55 ?? I'm confused.

HMike

Click to expand...

The 405-G-1 glass lens assemblies are $55 Mike...

But I am selling the AixiZ 405 glass lenses fit with my Custom Focus Knob for $25 plus $3 dollars shipping.

The AixiZ 405 glass lens sticks out the front more than other lenses. And I made a Focus knob that compensates for it...



Here's the FS thread:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-445-custom-focus-knob-aixiz-glass-lenses-51727.html

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

IIRC the lens assemblies without the lens is 27$. With the lens it's 55$

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Oh... Mike, did you mean the bare lenses? Because I sent your 405-G-1 lenses today. (complete assemblies)

Re: 445nm A130 Lens Comparisons!

Has anyone tried painting the edges of the lenses and the sleeve yet? I know I had a pulsar that I widened the aperture on and it started throwing a wierd ring around the dot. I painted the bare brass that was exposed from opening the hole and the ring disappeared.