Hey LPF'ers.

Hey guys. I'm relatively new to lasers, here's a little bit of a background story of my laser life. When I was around 5-6 years old, I was in my bed-room, trying to sleep. All of a sudden, I saw a really bright red light going around my room. I thought to myself, "What in the world was that?". My mom later told me it was a laser, ever since then, lasers have just been awe-inspiring. Later on, I was 8 years old, my grandmother(deceased(RIP)) bought me my first dollar store <5mW laser pointer. I had so much fun with it, and I loved it. The best feeling was when it was foggy, and you can see the actual beam. Ever since I had heard of the terrible company Wicked Lasers, I was on another forum, where a member had sold me a burned out diode 1W laser, with glasses. I was so ecstatic, that I'd have a laser, that I was able to see the actual beem. Well, that was today. My laser has finally arrived, and I can't WAIT to buy a diode off DTR so I can fix it myself. Just so you guys get to know a little about me, I am a VERY responsible, mature, intelligent 17 year old. I have my pilots license in Ontario, and I am legally eligible to fly single engine aircraft. Flying is my second hobby. I've played hockey my whole life, and I just love to be active. I hope this wall of text isn't too elaborate, but whatever. I didn't have pictures on me; remember the expression, "Pictures mean a thousand words"? Well here's my thousand words. Regards, Nick.

Welcome to LPF Nick I'm sure you'll have fun here.

~ LB

I think I will, lasers are just so awe-inspiring. I can't wait till my newest laser gets fixed.

Thank god you have your single engine. You will know better not to shine lasers at aircraft. Welcome to the forum! If you need any help with the build use the search function. If you can't find the answer open up a thread and someone will help you out!

Enjoy your stay,
Speedy

Best of luck on the repair!

~ LB

Thanks a lot, and @Speedy78. I've wanted to be a fighter pilot my whole life, then move into commercial aviation. I flew my first plane (Cessna p-38) when I was 8 years old at the learn to fly program . It's a constant adrenaline rush, and @Lazerbeak, thanks. I can't wait to crack this case open, it's 1:32am, so I really can't do anything this late, but tomorrow I'll be getting to work. I wish I had a working camera so I can take progress pictures.

You can always use a cell phone camera or as a last resort a webcam. Ghetto but everone likes pictures.

My iPhone 5 was stolen from me a few weeks ago, I guess my laptops webcam will do!

Be sure to test the driver on it before you put in your expensive diode. If the problem lies also with the driver, then you blow the new diode and need to buy a diode AND a driver.

Also, welcome to the forum :beer:

Would you explain how to test the driver? Would I use ah Ohmeter? Where would I connect it?

You can use a multimeter and a testload. For more information regarding testloads, check the Batteries and Testload section for some how-to's. That is one of the things I have never done regarding laser builds but I am working on getting a testload.

Thanks a lot. I contacted Blord about a 405nm laser bright enough for a really nice visible beam, can't wait till he replies. I got into this hobby, and I already received 1 laser, and another on the way.

A 405nm laser with a bright enough beam to be easily visible would have to be over 1W, which is AFAIK not available yet for the typical hobbyist...although I bet I could find some crazy stuff in Nichia's Closet...or Osram's. Would kill to rifle through their stock and do a Super Market Sweep episode in a diode company's stock room...

488 diode here I come!!! Haha.

There's a video I saw, I don't know the laser size, but the beam was BRILLIANT. It was in the CNI Rigel case, if that comes to any mind. It was a broken CNI Rigel case that was fixed up.

You must mean Laserglow. LG sell the same lasers as CNI pretty much, just different marketing. What you probably saw was a video of such a laser in a room which had beem given some fog or smoke to visualize the beam.

EDIT: also, the rigel is their yellow laser name. You may be thinking of the Electra

I thought the case was called the rigel, like the PGL-III. It was in the host of the Rigel for sure, but it was actually OUTDOORS, http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9TxqXc572WQ I apologize, it's a 1W.