Laserlands 638nm Red Laser Module

[Beamer123]

Hello Peers,

today I want to review a small laser module that I ordered from laserlands.net.
LINK: https://www.laserlands.net/diode-la...e-red-laser-module/635dot/3350-638d-1919.html

Here are some details on the unit:

- LD: Sharp 185mW single mode
- ncluded is the module with adjustable focus, a small fan, a TTL driver (12V DC input) -> Driver current was adjusted by laserlands
- Shipping to Germany took roughly 4 weeks and was free. It was packaged secure and nicely with lots of foam.
- Price: ONLY 20 USD!

I got this laser, because of its ridiculous cheap price and since I always wanted a SM 638nm laser. Unfortunately pointers with this diode have become super rare, because people go for the higher power LDs with the most aweful beam quality.

I am very satisfied with this laser, although it is much less handy than a pointer.

PROS:

- Price (How is this even possible? )
- Solid build quality
- Very thin beam for a diode
- Single glass lens!
- Awesome Beam Divergence (~0,5 mRad)

CONS:
- Driver was different than advertised (not a huge drawback imo)
- Beam has some scattered light on the sideline
- Focus ring is a little lose (can be fixed easily)

I have not yet tested the TTL function yet, but will do that together with a LPM testing soon.
There are two strange things, I don't fully understand with this laser.
1. How can the voltage be set on this driver?
2. I only measured 130 mA of current draw (without the fan), yet this laser according to the data sheet provided by Sharp states a working current of 215 mA. Can somebody explain how that could be? (Voltage on the LD output measured ~ 3,2 V)

I also bought a 510 nm 5 mW pointer and a 638 nm 5 mW from them through Aliexpress. These are also pretty nice

I hope you like my first little review and feel free to ask me anything!


PS: The PWM controller is not included. but can be bought from Techhood on ebay

Cheers
Philipp

 

[paul1598419]

These lab host/driver pairs are quite inexpensive. You can find single mode 505nm, 520nm as well as other wavelengths. Have you had an opportunity to measure the output yet? Some of these come in well below the stated output.

 

[GSS]

Thanks for posting Beamer.. If it comes a bit under spec, all that counts is that your happy
As for the price, I guess the average Chinese worker might make 50 cents and hour working up to 16 hour days.
I just recently ordered another 532 200mw labby for $25 as I liked the first one. I'm sure when you joined these cute little labby's weren't even available..

 

[Alaskan]

I can't order anything from Laserlands through ebay, they blocked me after giving bad feedback to them for a dishonest listing, but this doesn't look like a bad deal at all.

 

[GSS]

I can't order anything from Laserlands through ebay, they blocked me after giving bad feedback to them for a dishonest listing, but this doesn't look like a bad deal at all.

Still banned from buying for telling the truth wow..

 

[paul1598419]

Yeah, these Chinese sellers take feedback on eBay very seriously. I have used it to force one to take my defective product seriously, but use it very sparingly for this reason.

 

[GSS]

I still am pissed at this Phaser prop maker Steve Wall that blocked all his Utube comment when he was confronted about his green laser prop doing 2W+ by a couple of us on this forum a ways back..
If someone buy's something for $950 from someone blocking all comments then it's on them then..

 

[Beamer123]

Hey you guys!
I have a little update on this low cost laser module. I measured the output power and it reads 190 mW without and 150 mW with lens attached. Not too bad, but I am still baffled that it operates at only 60% of the max. current, yet the output power is on point. Maybe I need to check my multi tool..
Perhaps it uses a different diode than the Sharp 185 mW 638nm one they state on their website. My LPM works accurately, so that can‘t be the source.
Their 520 nm pen laser reads exactly 5 mW and the red 638 nm pen laser is below detection
Auf Wiedersehen!

 

[paul1598419]

That 185 mW is the recommended maximum that Sharp says to set them to. It is far from the actual maximum you can drive them, however.

 

[hakzaw1]

great share--- enjoy it and if possible let us know if it is still the same a year from now and rough idea on hours.
++++rep when sys allows pp - (;-(>



I may be wrong but--I see only none part that you can turn..small slotted screwdriver - go slow -in may change output.
watch your LPM- not sure which way is 'up' only 20usd- take care of the bottom of your driver--I fried one that go sat on something that shorted parts out..my BAD.

good luck
hak

 

[hakzaw1]

Update.
your ebay techhood link goes to the same driver that comes with the LLands 185/640- those are drivers not PSs .

there are many adjustable 12vdc power supplies from wall warts (not always a good choice) to better ones like these:

 

[hakzaw1]

FOUND IT-- looks good. may have to buy one to try out..

PWM/TTL Laser Power Output Regulator/Frequency and Duty Adjustable 6971370750052 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PWM/TTL Laser Power Output Regulator/Frequency and Duty Adjustable at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

pretty cheap too.. very nice..

hash=item2156e7522c:g:MFgAAOSws5Fcncof

 

[paul1598419]

That $19 price is high for these PWM. I found some of these for $5.00 or less on eBay. Everything exactly the same except for the plastic case.

 

[bertha]

Great review, thanks for posting

 

[Beamer123]

FOUND IT-- looks good. may have to buy one to try out..

PWM/TTL Laser Power Output Regulator/Frequency and Duty Adjustable 6971370750052 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PWM/TTL Laser Power Output Regulator/Frequency and Duty Adjustable at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

pretty cheap too.. very nice..

hash=item2156e7522c:g:MFgAAOSws5FcncofView attachment 65305

That is the one I have. It works very nicely and I got it for only 5$ as a special offer! I tested the correlation between the duty cycle and the output. It correlates almost peefectly over a ttl frequency of 5 kHz. I used my lpm to verify that. Only the cables are trash and I attached some decent electric wires . It‘s a good choice if you don‘t have an analog driver.

 

[Beamer123]

That $19 price is high for these PWM. I found some of these for $5.00 or less on eBay. Everything exactly the same except for the plastic case.

Hello, hmm well I had an ebay discount of 10 Euro. 19 bucks is a little pricy, but I was surprised how flawless it works. Basically you could build it yourself using a fake arduino micro board and a little know how, that I don‘t possess

great share--- enjoy it and if possible let us know if it is still the same a year from now and rough idea on hours.
++++rep when sys allows pp - (;-(>View attachment 65298



I may be wrong but--I see only none part that you can turn..small slotted screwdriver - go slow -in may change output.
watch your LPM- not sure which way is 'up' only 20usd- take care of the bottom of your driver--I fried one that go sat on something that shorted parts out..my BAD.

good luck
hak

The small golden thing on the blue box is the screw to adjust the max. current. I would test it using a dummy first, since turning these screws while hooked to the diode can caus sudden and dramtic increases of the current, that could potentially kill or harm the diode. Anyway there is no screw to adjust the voltage, which is set a little too high for this diode.. We‘ll see how tough it is