Low Power OSRAM vs OPNEXT 80mW diodes ... which is better?

I want to build a pair of 445... a low powered pen laser for pointing (because pen lasers are sexy) and a high power compact 18650 host.

I already have decided the diode for the high power build - A140/M140 445nm diode @ 1000-1200mW power (after optics).
I'm going to use a DX Ultrafire A10B 18650 Flashlight as the host if my Kryton doesn't show up someday soon.

However, after being inactive on the forums for the last few months, I'm unsure of what to do for the low power build. The A140 diodes have poor divergence and high threashold currents. Plus, I don't want a low power "pointing" beam with a bad multimode bar/dot. Recently, there has been available some 80mW "single mode" 450nm diodes. I think these would make great diodes for a blue pointer. I think I'll make a homemade 2xAAA host similar to my 405nm host in my sig... except I want to make it out of Titanium & Copper instead of stainless and aluminum.

Which Blue single mode diode is better for a pointer (probably 35-60 mW)?

OSRAM 450nm 80mW Diode - $79 - www.o-like.com OSRAM Diode

OPNEXT 450nm 80mW Diode - $59 - www.rayfoss.com OPNEXT Diode

Will a MicroFlex Drive be suitable for the OSRAM/OPNEXT diodes?
I think the Microflex only goes up to 5.5v output... but I like the Microflex more than the MicroBoost.

They're the exact same diode. Both are the OSRAM, regardless of what Rayfoss' website says. Read here:
Feeler: Diode housing to suit 3,8mm diodes?

So - same diode. Rayfoss is cheaper. Buy their's.

Eeeek, why go with a lava driver if you can ever avoid it? Even if you want to stay boost on account of the smaller pointer form factor, you only need a hundred mA or so for the single-mode blue. So grab an OdicForce boost:
Compact Variable Current Boost Laser Diode Driver Board for Hand-held Laser 0-300mA+ - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop
or
Variable Current Step-up (Boost) 405nm Laser Driver Board - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop

And for the full power multi-mode build, check out Moh's Mohgasm drivers. There's really no reason to be stuck with Flex or Microboost drivers at this stage. Save your money and get something less expensive, that may actually ship in less than 3 weeks

I would say a flexdrive would be just fine. Not sure about the better diode though :/

rhd said:

They're the exact same diode. Both are the OSRAM, regardless of what Rayfoss' website says. Read here:
Feeler: Diode housing to suit 3,8mm diodes?

So - same diode. Rayfoss is cheaper. Buy their's.

Eeeek, why go with a lava driver if you can ever avoid it? Even if you want to stay boost on account of the smaller pointer form factor, you only need a hundred mA or so for the single-mode blue. So grab an OdicForce boost:
Compact Variable Current Boost Laser Diode Driver Board for Hand-held Laser 0-300mA+ - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop
or
Variable Current Step-up (Boost) 405nm Laser Driver Board - Detailed item view - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop

And for the full power multi-mode build, check out Moh's Mohgasm drivers. There's really no reason to be stuck with Flex or Microboost drivers at this stage. Save your money and get something less expensive, that may actually ship in less than 3 weeks

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That's what I suspected. I'll go with rayfoss.

I really like the lava drives... DrLava is about a 30min drive north of me (I went to Case Western, too).
For the full power build I will be using 1x 18650 Li-ion in a Kryton or similar host, so the Mohgasm linear driver will not work.
I've used the Flexdrives, and they are easy to heatsink. They've always arrived quick for me, too.
I'll stick ith the Flex for my full power build.

But for a low powered pen build that compact driver looks great. It even includes the power button!
I will be using the Odicforce Compact Driver in the pen build, thanks for the suggestion.

I just built my OSRAM single-mode blue 450 at 210mA, and it seems quite happy. It's giving me 150mW output.

rhd said:

I just built my OSRAM single-mode blue 450 at 210mA, and it seems quite happy. It's giving me 150mW output.

Click to expand...

Nice! We should make a murder fund maybe. These have wonderful beam specs.

Silvershot said:

Nice! We should make a murder fund maybe. These have wonderful beam specs.

Click to expand...

You think?

I'm underwhelmed. They're certainly better than 445 multimodes, but I think they're the worst single-mode beam profile I've seen. Much worse than 658s, and at least a little worse than 405.

I think I heard someone saying that they have a very nice dot. Tbh I have only seen one in my single mode 450nm pointer. Anyway.