Laserglow 658nm

What type of diode is Laserglow using to get 500mw from this 658nm? I thought the reds maxed out at around 300mw.

lasbeam said:

What type of diode is Laserglow using to get 500mw from this 658nm? I thought the reds maxed out at around 300mw.

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It's a multimode (likely C-mount) diode. Not the 5.6mm package type diodes found in DVDRW drives.

RA_pierce said:

It's a multimode (likely C-mount) diode. Not the 5.6mm package type diodes found in DVDRW drives.

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I wonder if this could be built for less by one of the LPF members or is the diode cost prohibitive? It would be nice to have a 500mw red (but not for the LaserGlow price)

Of course you could. But when most people learn how terrible the beam is, they decide not to.

300mW in a 3mm beam will be brighter than 500mW in a 8mm beam anyway.

lasbeam said:

I wonder if this could be built for less by one of the LPF members or is the diode cost prohibitive? It would be nice to have a 500mw red (but not for the LaserGlow price)

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A diode like that is going to cost at least a few hundreds from any source I know of. The best deals will be on eBay but then you have to find a seller that is reliable. Laser related components are delicate and can easily be sold with exaggerated claims to someone that can't measure the difference.
Then you have the cost of custom machine work and optics. The power source is the least of your worries.

It can be done, likely for a lower price than what LG offers, but it won't be easy or "cheap," at least by my standards.
I'm sure it would be a rewarding project and if I had the time and money, you can bet I would be working on it already.