Is this laser any good?

I am inclined to agree with you there Wanna. I do like boost drives for lesser current builds like 405nm ones and prefer linear with 445nm.

i think 900mw for that laser is a GREAT deal!
maybe you just got lucky for that laser
i was looking into that laser a while ago too
looking forward to your detailed review! ^^

blue bumblebee said:

i think 900mw for that laser is a GREAT deal!
maybe you just got lucky for that laser
i was looking into that laser a while ago too
looking forward to your detailed review! ^^

Click to expand...

900mW?? Perhaps you misread. This laser is operating as a laser at 689mW
You can round that up to 700mW not 900mW. Still at $123 it is a pretty good deal for a 700mW waterproof blue laser. Focussable too correct?

The_LED_Museum said:

Power output with the collimating lens removed: 891mW.

Click to expand...

i see 891 here?
or is the collimating lens the "focus" lens and the laser is useless without it...

blue bumblebee said:

i see 891 here?
or is the collimating lens the "focus" lens and the laser is useless without it...

Click to expand...

The collimating lens is what allows a diode laser to produce that characteristic narrow thin beam we all know that lasers produce.

With the lens in place, you get this:


(12" -- beam terminus image bloomed ***SIGNIFICANTLY***)


(Approx. 10 feet; beam terminus image also bloomed, but not as much as in the previous photograph)


And without the lens, you get this:


(12" with collimating lens ass'y {lens in a threaded metal collar} removed)

blue bumblebee said:

i see 891 here?
or is the collimating lens the "focus" lens and the laser is useless without it...

Click to expand...

Bingo.