- Joined
- Feb 25, 2009
- Messages
- 169
- Points
- 18
I was considering getting a 445nm laser that I'm mainly going to use to burn stuff. I can't decide between these two options.
Option 1: buying a complete product. Advantages: no hassle in putting it together, ready to use. Disadvantages: higher price than an equivalent laser built from components.
Option 2: putting the laser together from a diode, a driver and a host. Advantages: cheaper than a ready-made product and it can be customized (e.g. by adding heat sinks and/or a fan). Disadvantages: putting the components together increases the riss of breaking them.
I was wondering if there are other differences that could help me decide which option is better. For example, what are the focussing capabilities of the first one, compared to the second one? What batteries should I use for the second one, and how long would a single charge last, compared to the first one? Does the first one have anything that could reduce the power of the beam, compared to the second one (e.g waterproof lens, underdriven diode)?
Option 1: buying a complete product. Advantages: no hassle in putting it together, ready to use. Disadvantages: higher price than an equivalent laser built from components.
Option 2: putting the laser together from a diode, a driver and a host. Advantages: cheaper than a ready-made product and it can be customized (e.g. by adding heat sinks and/or a fan). Disadvantages: putting the components together increases the riss of breaking them.
I was wondering if there are other differences that could help me decide which option is better. For example, what are the focussing capabilities of the first one, compared to the second one? What batteries should I use for the second one, and how long would a single charge last, compared to the first one? Does the first one have anything that could reduce the power of the beam, compared to the second one (e.g waterproof lens, underdriven diode)?