200mW Red Pen Style from DX - Detailed Review

If you're in the US, join the Group Buy for these in the Group Buys section.

whats the group buy thread called? i cant find it

It is a pity that can't see clear beam.

I have noticed that the beam is not uniform, there are parallel lines running through it.

I some circle insside the dot when unfocussed.Try cleaning it

most red diodes have that line effect i believe all three of mine do !

I just ordered this one. I can't wait!!!!!!!

sigh...i ordered one right before they stopped shipping to USA, and then after 2 weeks, I was emailed by DX saying they don't ship here :-[

Does dilda make any harmfull uv light? I need expert to answer

Nope, it doesn't emit any wavelength other than the 650-660nm red. Even if it doesn't put any light at IR or UV wavelengths, it still danagerous due to its output power. I would not look into 200+mW of red without a pair of shielding glasses while working/burning at 30cm from my face. add a camera / camcoder to work safer. If you can afford this, before buying a new laser pick up a pair of protective glasses. Your eyes are unique and priceless. a pair of glasses are just $50.

ok, good to know. ill buy goggles right away

styropyro said:

The beam is pretty dim at night, it is noticeable but it is dimmer than a 5mW green. There is also a line through the dot, it is like that of many of our DIY lasers, but this is only noticeable when you set the laser down and walk up to the dot from 10 feet away.

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I finally got some CR2s (Panasonic Lithium 3.0V) for mine today  
Well it burns things, pops balloons, etc. so in that sense, I can't complain. On the other hand, the diode (or can?) casts a really odd line that intersects the point. I thought it was a freaky scratch on the lens, but rotating the lens didn't rotate the line. Now I saw your comment above, but having no other experience with a red, I's like to know why this diode produces such a vert. line... :-?

Otherwise, I can only see the beam outside where there's enough particles in the air (fog, etc.) but it is invisible indoors, even in a completely darkened room...  :-?

In any event, it's a very ugly point/vert. line at distance (at 1m, that line is clearly visible & at 30 meters, it looks quite stupid...  :-[ Again, I realize this is primarily a "burning" laser, but I hope to eventually find a red that has a clean & tight spot like my 50mW green beauty...

(any recommendations would be most welcome   )


Attached, a sample pic with the laser 1m away from a matte black surface.  More pics at different distances available here too.

It is a very common effect in red diodes - the 16x closed-can DVD diodes also had this stripe very visibly present. The cause lies in how the junction is constructed, and the lens system seems wide enough to pass this artifact. It is by no means an indication anything is malfunctional.

My LPC815 Long open can diode gets that stripe too.

Jimmymcjimthejim said:

My LPC815 Long open can diode gets that stripe too.

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Oh nooo... :'(

So which 200mW+ red LDs don't have such a pattern...? Are there even any?