HELP, weird lase of 100mW green

Hey, I just got the 100mW True Green DX laser (Live in US though, so can't ship it back for replacement - but I did get it brand new through some1 on the forums  : ), and it isn't working properly. As can be seen in the pics, the light is scattered all over the place. I've never seen this before, so I have no clue what the problem is. I may try opening it, but I know that I'd almost definitely damage the case. If I MUST in order to fix it, I guess I'll try. But, can anyone tell me what's wrong with it?

Edit: I also recently tried cleaning the lens with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol and then spraying dust cleaner to clean out the inside, but it looks exactly the same as before.

2nd Edit: Also, I just noticed that when looking at the beam coming out of the aperture, it is coming out on the side. It is actually coming out along the edge of the aperture rather than out the middle. Thus, I'm now thinking I may have to take it apart . I'm not quite sure how to take it apart without damaging the aperture, but I guess I'll have to try.

Look like a fingerprint to me!

How did you manage to put your finger on the lenses? The apperture is small and not detachable..



This is probably finger grease. ;D
-Greg

Rangedunits said:

Look like a fingerprint to me!

How did you manage to put your finger on the lenses? The apperture is small and not detachable..

-Greg

Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought it looked like a fingerprint to me too, but I don't know how that'd be possible. I never touched the lens, I don't think you can without opening it. I just got this laser today... just opened it, batteries were already in it, and then pressed the button.... this came up. I'm so confused as to what exactly is wrong with it. And also, I already tried cleaning it with a q-tip with rubbing alcohol, then sprayed a dust-air spray can to clean it out - nothing.

[quote/]
Yeah, I thought it looked like a fingerprint to me too, but I don't know how that'd be possible. I never touched the lens, I don't think you can without opening it. I just got this laser today... just opened it, batteries were already in it, and then pressed the button.... this came up. I'm so confused as to what exactly is wrong with it.[/quote]
Ask Simon, he might have ate a burger , Tell him it has a finger on the lense, he will be able to return it to DX.

-Greg

Well, I was going to open it up right now, but maybe I should hold off then. I'd rather fix it myself if I could, just because I don't want to wait another 2 months to get a replacement. In addition, I'd have to pay 2 way shipping charges additionally....

I think I'm going to open it now using Hemlock Mike's wooden block method. I'll post anything I see.

i use a q -tip with a smidgent of glass cleaner on it a very small amount

It looks like a fingerprint, but it certainly isn't one. That much fingerprint would have an area of several centimeters square - no way to get that onto a lens with a few millimeters diameter. So I don't think cleaning the lens will help; your other observation seems more like it: the emitter is not centered/aligned correctly, the beam hits the side of the aperture hole and is distorted into this.

EDIT: I don't think the laser is focusable, so does it even have a lens? I've no practical experience yet with a DPSS laser...

Well, I've opened it up and I've cleaned ALL the parts of the module using rubbing alcohol, q-tips, and dust spray. However, I think the dust spray may have been a lil too strong, and may have messed up the lens a little. I did something stupid by using the dust-spray attachment which basically shoots air while spinning (in a motor-like form) a small brush. I actually brushed the lens, which probably screwed them up a little. Anyway, it does look a lot better than before. The laser is now a single dot (before was 2) and is better centered from the rest of the spread of light. However, the light still spreads quite far, and it looks as though there are little particles of light all over the place. It is better, but still looks like sh*t. Also, the beam still comes out the side of the aperture, not out the middle. I have NO idea how to fix that alignment part though.

I've herd aligning crystals in a DPSS laser can be a pain in the arse, I just got my DX100 a few days ago, luckily I live in the UK so I didn't have a problem getting hold of it but everything seems to be going ok.

Sucks that you had to wait ages to get a duff laser, I hope you get it sorted out.

Asherz said:

I've herd aligning crystals in a DPSS laser can be a pain in the arse, I just got my DX100 a few days ago, luckily I live in the UK so I didn't have a problem getting hold of it but everything seems to be going ok.

Sucks that you had to wait ages to get a duff laser, I hope you get it sorted out.

Click to expand...

Yes it can be a pain , but luckily that isn't the problem with this laser.

[shameless plug]If you want you DX100 metered I offer a power metering service in the UK and Europe.[/shameless plug]

Alexizupinhea said:

I think I'm going to open it now using Hemlock Mike's wooden block method. I'll post anything I see.

Click to expand...

hey now i can open my 100mw green , the divergence is pretty bad on it.
took a bit of searching to find mikes block method :

Alexizupinhea said:

Also, I just noticed that when looking at the beam coming out of the aperture, [highlight]it is coming out on the side[/highlight]. It is actually coming out along the edge of the aperture rather than out the middle. Thus, I'm now thinking I may have to take it apart . I'm not quite sure how to take it apart without damaging the aperture, but I guess I'll have to try.

Click to expand...

Is it possible that the laser is hitting the side of the aperture, and then reflecting to make that? Just a suggestion.

In the first post it looks to me like it's completely missing its collumating lens and possible a fingerprint too.

To take it apart, put the silver tip in a vise with wood or leather, and just wiggle and pull.

Note: The newer DX pens have the module threaded into the silver tip, so be carefull that you dont slip and pull the driver right off of the module.

I may have the replacement parts you need. PM me if you're interested.