O-like purchase of 445nm and 405nm lasers

I just received my order today of a couple of lasers from o-like. They are;
1W 445nm laser module/focusable/TTL
130-150mW Industrial 405nm blu-ray laser module diode
Both can easily be found on their website.
I just thought I'd let everyone know that they are brilliant! I'm a lab laser enthusiast and not into pointers so these lasers appealed to me. I was just absolutely amazed when I fired them up. I must admit that I was skeptical of their quality seeing as they were so inexpensive but I was worries for nothing. Highly recommended products.
Service was excellent too.
Well done O-like!

DHL should knock on my door to bring me the 445 1W lab module this afternoon!
Can't wait :yh:

Got my 445 lab laser module yesterday afternoon as expected!

Very fast delivery since I've placed the order on saturday 18th.
I took the DHL express service and I must say this is really an EXPRESS service!

The item was picked up on wednesday 22 and delivered the 23 in Paris, France.
Pretty quick isn't it

Regarding the product, the googles are ok, the laser module seems to be well built.

I'll post a review later on with pics, have to make a custom power connector to fit my 12v power adapter.

As a conclusion, I'd buy again on O-like if needed.

Thibaud

Just make sure to go with that DHL service again....I ordered from o-like and rayfoss on the 4th of this month and only got my o-like yesterday and still havent gotten my rayfoss. ....
Have fun with your new lasers Timelablasers. The O-like housings feel heavy and sturdy in the hands.

I am thinking about getting one of these but I am looking for some videos or pics to show the beam quality and dot size - also how the focusing thingie works, is it the same as taking a lens and focusing it into a pin point to burn things or is it only for adjusting the dot size at distance?



also it takes 16340 batteries but I already have lots of 18650's so will those work also, they are 3.7V?

Just FYI for anyone interested:

I contacted Susie from O-Like inquiring about the difference in potential and actual output power.

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To: o-like@live.cn
Subject: 1w 445nm laser handheld
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:19:35 -0400


Susie:

I noticed you are now selling a 1W 445nm handheld laser now?

1W 445nm blue Laser torch/waterproof/focusable [OL445T-1W] - $189.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

I'd like to buy one, but I'm a bit confused. The description says 700mW, but the title says 1W. Is this an actual 1W pointer? What is the operating current? It seems that for the Casio diode, it will require around 1A of current to allow 1W of output power. Is this not correct? Rayfoss is selling a similar laser and it states that the operating current is around 650mA, which doesn't seem like enough to get a true 1W output. Am I wrong?

Thanks for the info! I'd love to buy a couple of these!

-Scott

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Her reply:

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Dear Scott



Thanks for your e-mail , yes ,it is 1W diode ,but considering of diode safety and life span , we set current around 650mA and out power 700mW .

1A setting is a risk .


Thanks and Best Regards

Susie
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I just cleared up another question I had for Susie. I asked her if it was a "set current" and she responded that it was not, and that a varied voltage will vary the output current, which is what is expected. I was just not clear from her previous response.

FYI: I have purchased a few pointers from o-like and can attest to the quality and service. Susie is straight and honest from what i've seen.

Just my 2 cents.

so you could just use the POT to adjust the mA?

I'm an electrical engineer, but I'm admittedly far from a laser expert like some of the people in these forums (I'm quite impressed at a few people in this forum...).

You could rig a POT of some sort, I suppose. You're main concern would be to increase the input current to the diode to around 1A to get around 1W of output power. There are many ways to do this, but batteries are fixed voltage, so you'd probably have to use a separate variable power supply or you could also use different batteries. Lipos are 3.7V per single cell (though, 3.7V cells will charge to 4.2V per cell with lipo...). So you could use two in series to run 8.4V or something to that effect. The safe cut-off voltage for lipos is 3V per cell, so you wouldn't want to allow them to go lower than that without possibly damaging them.

For the hand-held unit, O-like uses two 16340 Li-Ion in series to run 3.6x2=7.2V. 18650 batteries are also Li-Ion and common for pointers, but they run at 3.7V per cell (and they're typically physically longer, too). Then you'll be getting into different housings to hold different batteries... not sure how much trouble that would be or if it's worth the effort or not, other than just buying what you want from the start.

I have 6 pointers ranging from 5mW to 200mW, and I"m debating which 1W pointer to buy for myself as well.... : ). Personally, I'm waiting on the Spartan to come back in stock so I can start comparing again. Right now, the O-like and Rayfoss pointers have my eye more than any others. I've purchase from both and am satisfied with both, though I've heard that the Rayfoss 1W pointer was LPMed at only 500mW or so... So I'm a bit concerned about that.... I just want a solid 1W (or more) pointer for around 200$; simple as that.

You could just ask them to set it at 1Amp, but then the laser will more then likely have no warranty.