200mw DX laser?

[opticalc]

The 200mw laser is only $122... but the "true" 100mw laser is $99.

How much IR is present in the output? Is it possible to replace the existing filter, or, if not present, install your own IR filter?

For the most part I see good reviews about DX, but the price for the 200mw laser seems to good to be true. Can anyone comment on it?

 

[Razako]

I am guessing that the dx 200mw might emit around 145mw of green and a few hundred mw of IR.

 

[opticalc]

OK...What type of AA batteries should I use? alkaline or lithium/photo or NiMH

 

[toked323]

not a few hundremmw of ir only aound 20% of ir actually gets through

 

[MarioMaster]

you can buy IR filters from Nova i think, so yes you can add a filter

 

[Razako]

not a few hundremmw of ir only aound 20% of ir actually gets through

Assuming that the dx200 has no ir filter and uses a 1W pump diode I would expect at least 100mw of IR from it.

 

[divindavid]

if a 5mw green uses a 250mw ir diode i think thats right

 

[Curiously_Coherent]

Hiya Opti,

I've had my DX200 for some time now and it's one of my favourites. So here are some answers:

I won't know what the actual output is until I get my LPM, but it appears to be very powerful. It easily lights sharpied matches and pops black balloons and the beam is the most visible one I have. How much of that is due to IR, I haven't tested.

You can usually find an IR filter in the lens assembly of older webcams and even use the webcam lens holder assembly to attach it to the front of the pointer. It'll be a small square of coated glass about 5mm square. I've seen a thread somewhere that showed how to mount this inside the DX aperture, but I thought that might overheat the innards too much so I mount mine externally.

I would not use Lithium photo batteries (AAAs, BTW) in this unit because the diode might already be being pushed to get the "200mw" and the extra juice might just fry it. (I'm sure I read a warning somewhere not to do this). It works fine on rechargeable NiMh Eneloops and I just pop in Duracells when I feel like burning something.

When I get my LPM I'll post the readings with and without the IR filter. Once you attach the IR filter, you can enjoy the brightness safely. You do not want to be using this laser in a white room without the IR filter. You can be hurting your vision without even knowing it. But enough with the warnings...

I think it's a fantastic laser for the price, but of course, depending on the unit you get, your mileage may vary. Some folks get dead units, some folks get ones that don't last long. Mine has been fantastic. Luck of the draw I guess. Good luck with yours if you go for it.

Cheers, CC

 

[Ace82]

One of the reviews found on this link http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1372 has the "spetromic" meter results for the DX True 100mW. Perhaps that could provide some clarifications since you would most likely multiply everything by 2, or at least give you a reference ratio. But who knows if it is true information or not?

See http://www.dealextreme.com/feedbacks/BrowseReviews.dx/sku.1997 for DX200 reviews. In my opinion, and just my opinion: save your $122 and wait a while till you can blow $500 on a real laser!

I think this is the third time I've posted this link on this forum, but I love sharing it with others (and no, I didn't create this video, I just find it inspiring and amusing) http://www.truveo.com/Laser-Compilation/id/161463732
[smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

 

[IgorT]

OK...What type of AA batteries should I use?  alkaline or lithium/photo or NiMH

The DX200 seems to be most stable on Ni-MHs.. Lithium primaries can have up to 1.8V, and since this laser doesn't have any real regulation, this would seriously overdrive it. Even alkalines can make it mode hop...

But some, that were thought broken were suddenly perfectly fine, once Ni-MHs were used. It's overdriven as it is, so it's better to give it a slightly lower voltage... It's still gonna be very bright, but it'll live MUCH longer.


Also, it seems it does have an IR filter.. I read several measurements, and green was up to 180mW on a regulated power supply, while IR was low.

Some people think, that DX says there are no filters, just in case, so there would be no legal issues.

 

[DarthBlue]

Hi, I am interested in this laser pointer model (200 mW from DX). I've read about its problems particularly the poor IR filters.
What are the exact dangers of it not having IR filters ? Is it the reflections on nearby surfaces, chain reflections in air / vapours, does the IR component have a much wider dispersion than visible (what solid angle ?) or what other issues exactly ? And how should one guard agains them (other than protection glasses which may not always be practical) if he were to use this laser ?

You may point me to some other thread / post but I'd like some responses to these specific topics.

Thanks

 

[Razako]

Hi, I am interested in this laser pointer model (200 mW from DX). I've read about its problems particularly the poor IR filters.
What are the exact dangers of it not having IR filters ? Is it the reflections in nearby surfaces, chain reflections in air / vapours, does the IR component have a much wider dispersion than visible (what solid angle ?) or what other issues exactly ? And how should one guard agains them if he were to use this laser ?

You may point me to some other thread / post but I'd like some responses to these specific topics.

Thanks

The IR is dangerous because you can't see it and the common safety goggles for green don't block it. The IR usually spreads out and is not well collimated like the green is. Because of this you need to be careful when pointing the laser around because the IR won't be as controlled as the green.
Also the green alone from a dx200 will be very hazardous to your eyes unless you take the proper precautions. >100 mw of any laser color can instantly cause severe eye damage if you get hit by a strong reflection or look at the spot up close without goggles.

 

[DarthBlue]

So it's all those things together actually (aggravated by the fact it's invisible) ?
How wide does the IR component of the beam in such a cheap laser usually spread ? In terms of diameter over distance or any other ?
Also thanks for your reply.