Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 28% More Than AixiZ!!!

New FS thread here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/laser_pointer_forums_3/forum/showthread.php?t=22497

I had to share my findings with this 405nm glass lens that Will from Creative Technology Lasers sent me as a sample...

26 to 28% more power than AixiZ acrylic!!! (back opened) (for AixiZ, see FS thread linked above)

18% more power than Meredith Glass!

This lens is unbelievable for blu-ray!

I made a special lens holder so that I could fit it into a Meredith module. (shown below)

AixiZ modification shown at post #6. (FS thread linked above! )


Here's the lens: http://cgi.ebay.com/405nm-Glass-Col...ryZ36332QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Miloš said:

This was interesting difference in performance as [highlight]Jay's lens repeatedly showed better performance. [/highlight]And repeatedly is what i look for. So I looked at both lenses again and realized the reason.

[highlight]Opening on the back of Jays lens is machined out measuring 5.6mm hole for light to come in.[/highlight] Larry's back of the lens uses retaining spring with glue to hold the lens from falling out from the back leaving only 4.25mm wide hole for light to come in.
This came to be important with red diodes as for best collimation lens is a bit farther from the diode and bigger hole is needed. With 405nm diodes this did not come into effect as lenses need to be very close to diode and Larry's opening was big enough.
[highlight]I personally like jay's approach [/highlight]to creating assembly as it [highlight]doesn't involve any glue or retaining springs, and everything is made "to fit". [/highlight]Larry has different approach and regardless of it his assembly performs comparably to Jays when it comes to 405nm, however not quite as advertised as far as splash goes.

Miloš

Click to expand...

http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/j...lens-vs-aixiz-standards-37895.html#post515943

I fit one into a Meredith module for my 'Ice Box' TEC Blu-ray build...






I don't believe this thing! I put it in one of my 6X builds that is using a Meredith glass lens.

It is set at 191mA's...

* Meredith glass lens - 212mW's.
* 405-G-1 glass lens - 250mW's!

That's 18% more power than Meredith Glass!!! And a nice dot as you can see in the pictures!

This thing smokes everything it touches!

For Red, the lens is comparable to the Meredith glass lens. I got just a hair less power with red vs Meredith glass. So I would say, this baby is just for our blu-ray's!

Here's the data sheet:
http://www.laser66.com/html/405-g-1.pdf

Well Will, I told you I would send you the lens back if I didn't like it...

I guess I'll be sending you the payment instead!
Jay



Update:
The 'side splash' is similar to the Meredith glass lenses. But the dot is very intense and wants to burn everything it touches!

(Beam shot comparison with smoke)

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens!

Hey Rob... is there a price for that lens... :-?

Jerry

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens!

I don't remember what he told me. I believe it was in the $30 dollar neighborhood...

Contact him through his site shown in the specs.

I'm hoping that he just tells me to keep this one as a gift!
Jay

Edit - Here's the lens on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/405nm-Glass-Col...ryZ36332QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens!

I don't see anything about a lens on the website... would be very interested, though.  Also would be interested in some adapters, if possible, for the Aixiz (would it fit?) or even the Meredith module.

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Better Than Mere

I don't see it on his site either. You would have to call or e-mail him about them...

I did try an AixiZ but could not get focus. The lens is sloppy inside the nut as well. The main problem with AixiZ, is that the lens must sit very close to the diode. So it would have to mount at the bottom of the AixiZ nut some how.

It could be done though. I might just make a special lens nut for AixiZ out of aluminum. Not for selling, but for personal use.

Too much work making something this small and precise! But I do have a thread die for AixiZ...

Hmmm... maybe I can just modify a metal AixiZ glass lens nut!
Jay

Edit: Found the e-bay link to the lens. Posted it just above. :

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Better Than Mere

Nifty little suckers.

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

I must report back to show how it is a good fit for AixiZ as well!

That is... if you have a lathe, because the modification to the metal AixiZ glass lens nut needs to be precise...






I compared the power reading with my Pocket Mini 6X which has an AixiZ acrylic. It is running at 181mA's:

* AixiZ acrylic - 171mW's.
* 405-G-1 glass lens - 215mW's!

This is a 26% increase in power over AixiZ acrylic! I have a 'freak' 6X in one of my key chain builds that is putting out 215mW's through an AixiZ acrylic at only 183mA's. This lens will give it 26% more power. That's 270mW's in a Key chain!  

Pretty cool how the AixiZ glass lens module was able to be inverted to fit this 405nm glass lens and still be just the right length to also have the focus ring on there too!

* I just finished a 6X 'Micro Chrome' build and got a 28% increase in power!:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1237078205
* Dave also got 28% increase in his 8X build. Over 500mW's! :
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236464366/126#121
Jay

Tip: Use some of that aluminum tape for a wrap around the threads. This will let you get a pretty good grip on the lens nut in your chuck without damage. It's that really sticky aluminum tape for heat duct.

Edit: I will be doing a few of these AixiZ mods while we are waiting for Igor's lenses. But these will be expensive. I will only be making maybe $15 bucks for the work if I charge $60 dollars plus $3 dollars for shipping.

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

E size is 1/4", right? Also, for the spacer, I suppose I could find a 1/4" aluminum tube and bore out the interior to look like that?

I'd really like to get some of these lenses

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

Yes, E size is just a hair smaller than 1/4" though. Maybe 5 or 6 thousandth's. At least mine seems to cut just a tad smaller hole. I tried my 1/4" bit, and it worked, but the lens fit was just a little loose.

One thing that I don't like about the AixiZ mod, is that the metal AixiZ nut is a little loose in the module. I'm sure I can wrap it with some teflon or maybe even just a dot of thread lock will do the trick and still allow for turning and focusing...
Jay

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

Thanks for the info jayrob, I will have to give this a go

Regards rog8811
[edit]I have been monitoring the igor thread....but this looks awfully like a GB candidate????[/edit]

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

Your welcome!

Found the link...

Here it is, on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/405nm-Glass-Col...ryZ36332QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Although he contacted me via e-mail to tell me about the lens. At which point, I asked him if I could sample one...
Jay

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

What's the beam diameter at aperture?

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

That's a tough question for me...

Because it depends on the focus. If I focus it for burning at close distance, the dot will be a pin point.

If I focus it for general pointing, where the dot is visually sharp at 20' or 30', the dot at the aperture will be maybe 3mm or so.

It is a very short focus lens, similar to the Meredith glass lens. I believe it is even shorter. The focus is very touchy, but gets a really nice dot that wants to burn everything it touches! ...
Jay

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

Dammit - HOW LONG do I have to lurk on this thread, checking back every 10 minutes or so until I read the miraculous "Well, I've decided to start making these..." from you, Jayrob?!?

I know I for one would have NO problem investing in a couple of these if they were available (hint hint)

Great Work!

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

;D

Hey you know that my 'Pocket Mini' is available in a kit...

I have an option for a FlexDrive pre-mounted with wire leads on there for you and everything!

You just let me know if it is for a blu-ray or a red build, and I will have the current set at what you request!

Here's the 'HOT option':
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1231664443/112#117
Jay

Re: Awesome 405nm Glass Lens! 18% Above Meredith G

I meant a couple of these lens assemblies to pop into the new 6X Krytons I bought for myself and the "Missus" this past week ;D ;D

Yeah, I think this would be the ticket to win, last night we ended up having to flip a coin to decide who got the 2-tone beauty from Dave and who got the polished groove ... good thing I like chrome, dammit! :

"Yeah, Honey - Yours is prettier but mine's slammin just over 250mW"... C'mon, Jay - You've just GOTTA make these available!