Confusion and Questions on Lenses for 445nm

Hi everyone,

First off I apologize if this is a very obvious question. I have tried to search for it on google and in the forum but I can't seem to find any useful information.

In the past I have worked on some 405nm BD builds and high power 650nm builds, all using the standard 12x30mm Aixiz laser enclosure and the stock lens that comes with the $4.50 enclosure.

However, I understand that the 445nm diodes are considerably more powerful and I am looking for close to 1000mW output. Some reading has led me to believe that the glass lenses will be more efficient in transmission. But I also noticed that most of these lenses are considerably more expensive than the stock acrylic one that comes with the Aixiz diode. Might I ask how these lenses compare for 445nm - i.e. what do you think my best bet is without spending too much money?

- Stock Acrylic Aixiz Lens
- $5 Glass lens upgrade option from Aixiz
- $10 405nm Full Threaded Glass Lens from Aixiz
- 405 g 1 Lens

Are there any special difficulties inserting them in the 12x30mm laser housing?

Thank you very much for your help everyone.

Wishing you all a wonderful new year!

Jayrob has a thread with tests for each lens. search for that thread.

Hey loneoceans, can i get a link to the 12X30 laser module? im having a difficult time finding it. i dont want one with a diode and driver, just the blank. but i dont want to have to buy ten of them.

For the enclosure do you just place the led in and the driver behind it and your ready for test firing?

You can get a variety here berc Laser modules & spare lenses : Modwerx Shop Also yes, you press in the diode, attach driver and your good to go with low power diodes, anything above 50mw Id attach a heatsink.

You can also get them here.

AixiZ

Berc12321 said:

Hey loneoceans, can i get a link to the 12X30 laser module? im having a difficult time finding it. i dont want one with a diode and driver, just the blank. but i dont want to have to buy ten of them.

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Lowest price for one. HighTechDeals: Aixiz Module $3.39 Free shipping. Owner is reliable & has a good rep.

I think im going to stick with the o-like colimating lens and module. big hunk of heat conducting metal.

Berc12321 said:

For the enclosure do you just place the led in and the driver behind it and your ready for test firing?

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As long as by test firing you mean 1sec. These modules don't provide anywhere near enough heatsinking for a 445.
The o-like module isn't enough mass either. IMHO the o-like module comes out worse then an aixiz. The aixiz you can bury into a heatsink & host but you can't bury those fins on the o-like. The problem with letting the fins hang out is they are just too thick & few to transfer heat to air well without a fan.

Ive actually had good experience with thier module, but I agree that its worse for heat dissapation if you use the head alone.

If you use the provided body that screws onto the module (the other long AL part that comes with it)

Then it dissapates heat quite well. Ive had a build like this, where I heatsink via the larger piece and have the head with the fins sticking out. as long as you use the bottom piece, it can have the dissapation needed for a 445nM, but if you use the top piece alone and try to make it as most aixiz builds are, forget it, it will overheat fast.

I can tell this works too, Ive had 100% duty cycle so far, using an aluminum heatsink and pressfitting the bottom cylinder part of the whole module.

In all it looks something like this:

I've made some tests, here they are : [TEST] Temperature disspation (Aixiz versus O-like)

HaloBlu said:

As long as by test firing you mean 1sec. These modules don't provide anywhere near enough heatsinking for a 445.
The o-like module isn't enough mass either. IMHO the o-like module comes out worse then an aixiz. The aixiz you can bury into a heatsink & host but you can't bury those fins on the o-like. The problem with letting the fins hang out is they are just too thick & few to transfer heat to air well without a fan.

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leodahsans data is very compelling. I will have heat sinks and two fans inside a 4inch alloyed metal cube. The lens and base module (not torch that fits over it) will be attached to the case and will have heatsinks alllll overrr the place.

This is kind of offtopic , but if I have a 1W 445nm laser pointer, is it safe looking at the beam if I am not reflecting it off anything?

Is it safe if it reflects off objects over 10 yards away?

I use the laser and have no goggles, and occasionaely shine it at certain things in the room thats not reflective.. I don't shine it on glass or things like that, maybe sometimes the wall, plastic, paper, etc. Is this okay? If my friends watch how I burn plastic or paper, is it okay for them?

Looking at only the beam, such as when pointing into the sky, is ok.

niktsk said:

Is it safe if it reflects off objects over 10 yards away?

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Depends on what kind of reflection. Anything thats shiny or glossy even a tiny bit causes dangerous Specular reflection. Even at over 10 yards away (445 lasers are just so powerful). As long as all the objects have matte or rough surfaces without any gloss then it should be ok. You would get mostly Diffuse reflection.

niktsk said:

I use the laser and have no goggles, and occasionaely shine it at certain things in the room thats not reflective.. I don't shine it on glass or things like that, maybe sometimes the wall, plastic, paper, etc. Is this okay? If my friends watch how I burn plastic or paper, is it okay for them?

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I wish I could say shining around the room without goggles is safe. At 10-15ft even Diffuse reflection starts to be hazardous. Stick to lower power lasers indoors until you have goggles. Eye damage from Diffuse reflection may not be felt or noticed for quite a long time. There is a good thread on the danger of close diffuse reflection that I wish I could find to link.

With 445s now common among laser enthusiasts it makes it seem like they can't be That dangerous... but the truth is its Alot of concentrated power, there is just no getting away from it, they are seriously dangerous for your eyes.

I'm sorry my answers have to sound grim & serious. Believe me you can be safe & still have lots of fun. :wave:

Oh yea & Welcome to LPF

loneoceans said:

Hi everyone,



- Stock Acrylic Aixiz Lens
- $5 Glass lens upgrade option from Aixiz
- $10 405nm Full Threaded Glass Lens from Aixiz
- 405 g 1 Lens

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The Acrylic will melt at 1W. As for a room it is a bad idea that is why I made a low power 445 so I could enjoy the color without as much danger