Hi folks - aint been in for a while - given the lasers a break since having cataract surgery on my left eye, and taking good care of it (freak cataract - I'm 32!), thus no exposure to bright lights, sunnies when outdoors etc.
My eye doc has given me the go ahead to resume normal living (i.e. not using the sunnies all the time) and he said its ok for me to play with my lasers, as long as I wear eye protection (which I do, I bought a set of goggles back when I was on the LCF's before I got banned for mentioning a product provided by other than the forum owners).
I'm gonna get a 300 mw labby. I dont care much for pointer style lasers, and they cost a bomb compared to a quality labby, one in which you don't need to make sure you have enough batteries as they run off the mains.
My present laser is a hybrid - labby hacked with hombuilt driver board and 5nimh batteries. It does roughly 110 mw.
To get it running off batteries I measured the laser current, while it was running from its included mains supply, then set it up my my home built battery operated driver and set the trimpot for the same current (900ma). I then took it a little above for an extra bit of oomph (1000ma) and left it there. It still runs well to this day. Lights matches instantly from a foot, cooks CD cases, electrical tape and pops balloons from a 30ft distance (longest straight line in my flat) in a few seconds.
But we all want more power, and I am starting to get into laser experiments. So I am going to buy a 300 or 400 mw labby (funds permitting) at the beginning of next year as a late christmas present.
What can I expect from the (assuming 300 mw) labby compared to my 100-120ish mw labby?
I have never taken my laser outside, theres been a few idiots here in australia who have been aiming (of all things) at a rescue helicopter. I dont want to draw attention to myself, and just use my lasers inside.
Also what does the ~10% increase in current do for the lifetime of the laser - will it reduce it drastically? if so I will wind my 100mw labby back to default current.
The 100mw labby has had the tec removed (I couldnt drive it) and mounted on a large heatsink with an 8cm computer fan for cooling. It seems quite happy with this setup.
Also one guy on here was playing with a 1 watt labby - I would love to know where he got his focussing lens and beam table from. Looks like really nice gear (which means $$$).
Suggestions for a reputable, quality supplier of 300-400 mw lab lasers would be appreciated.
Cheers for now
Ben
My eye doc has given me the go ahead to resume normal living (i.e. not using the sunnies all the time) and he said its ok for me to play with my lasers, as long as I wear eye protection (which I do, I bought a set of goggles back when I was on the LCF's before I got banned for mentioning a product provided by other than the forum owners).
I'm gonna get a 300 mw labby. I dont care much for pointer style lasers, and they cost a bomb compared to a quality labby, one in which you don't need to make sure you have enough batteries as they run off the mains.
My present laser is a hybrid - labby hacked with hombuilt driver board and 5nimh batteries. It does roughly 110 mw.
To get it running off batteries I measured the laser current, while it was running from its included mains supply, then set it up my my home built battery operated driver and set the trimpot for the same current (900ma). I then took it a little above for an extra bit of oomph (1000ma) and left it there. It still runs well to this day. Lights matches instantly from a foot, cooks CD cases, electrical tape and pops balloons from a 30ft distance (longest straight line in my flat) in a few seconds.
But we all want more power, and I am starting to get into laser experiments. So I am going to buy a 300 or 400 mw labby (funds permitting) at the beginning of next year as a late christmas present.
What can I expect from the (assuming 300 mw) labby compared to my 100-120ish mw labby?
I have never taken my laser outside, theres been a few idiots here in australia who have been aiming (of all things) at a rescue helicopter. I dont want to draw attention to myself, and just use my lasers inside.
Also what does the ~10% increase in current do for the lifetime of the laser - will it reduce it drastically? if so I will wind my 100mw labby back to default current.
The 100mw labby has had the tec removed (I couldnt drive it) and mounted on a large heatsink with an 8cm computer fan for cooling. It seems quite happy with this setup.
Also one guy on here was playing with a 1 watt labby - I would love to know where he got his focussing lens and beam table from. Looks like really nice gear (which means $$$).
Suggestions for a reputable, quality supplier of 300-400 mw lab lasers would be appreciated.
Cheers for now
Ben
umm well if the labby is quality, it should be much brighter than the 120mwish one! Apart from laserglow, i don't know any other companies?
