$500 for Lasers

[MB500]

I have $500 to put towards buying or building another laser(s), but there are many options. Does anyone have some suggestions on lasers to buy or laser projects? The lasers I have are in my signature.

 

[Entity]

It's def. time for you to get a stronger greenie. Save up a little more and you'll be able to buy a nova x175!

But I would save up even more and buy an RPL.

 

[styropyro]

Save up a little more and get an RPL from Optotronics.

 

[pullbangdead]

You could be the envy of many here and join the exclusive 100mW Blu-ray club with a Blu-ray 6x burner diode. It's a lot of risk to DIY, and I know I'm not ready to tackle that on my own, but it's well within your price range and we've read on here that it is AWESOME. Quite the exclusive club that is right now, as well. With the money left over, go for the 300mW red of an open-can in a flashlight host a la jayrob.

Just an idea. But really, if it's spent on lasers, it's tough to really go wrong.

 

[MB500]

Thanks guys. I think 125mW would be enough for me. I really like the Aries style casing (with the key and shutter and what not), but why does it cost so much less to have 125mW in a pen.

 

[Razako]

Thanks guys. I think 125mW would be enough for me. I really like the Aries style casing (with the key and shutter and what not), but why does it cost so much less to have 125mW in a pen.

Because it takes less materials and time to make a pen. For an Aries style laser you need to make a much larger casing with a heatsink. The casing alone adds a considerable amount to the cost.

 

[jayrob]

I have $500 to put towards buying or building another laser(s), but there are many options. Does anyone have some suggestions on lasers to buy or laser projects? The lasers I have are in my signature.

For $500, you could get a Nova X-125:
http://www.novalasers.com/NOVAstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=16

And still have money left over to do a HOT open can build. I sell the complete build here:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1204144556

But if you want to build it yourself, here's the complete list of parts with links and threads to read up on:

Take time to read the threads that I have linked here. This is a very good build. It is a 'pumped up' version of Daedal's original 'DIY Laser Torch'. Daedal is commonly referred to as DDL.

I sell the completed lasers. But not the parts to the lasers.

As far a individual parts, the only thing I sell is the heatsink. $20 dollars plus shipping. To the U.S., the shipping is $3 bucks. PayPal: jayrob@inreach.com

I make heatsinks for only two MXDL models. (Red Burner, or Blu-Ray build) Check this thread:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1202452073/0

I can give you links to where you can buy the other parts for the build:
Host: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171 (red build)
Open can diode drive to harvest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118003
Another good open can diode drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129018
AixiZ module: http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=191
Meredith Module and 5.6mm adapter: http://www.mi-lasers.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&keywords=diode_optics
Batteries: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8683
Charger: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936
Driver parts:
LM317: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=LM317TNS-ND
3 ohm resistor: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=003-3 (I am including a free 3 ohm resistor with every heatsink)
Silicon diode: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=1N4001DICT-ND
Capacitor: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=478-1911-ND

Daedal has a very good guide on the building of this host here:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186966870

My build is just an ‘upgrade’ of Daedal’s original build.
The differences are:
The open can diode, the heatsink, and the use of the 3 ohm resistor, instead of 2 x 10 ohm resistors and a pot. No pot, and just the 3 ohm resistor at the LM317 will give you the 420mA's. (about 250mW’s with an acrylic lens – 300mW’s with a Meredith glass lens) Heatsink needed! As well as 3.6 volt batteries. His thread doesn't mention the silicon diode and cap, but he shows pictures of those components in his build.

I have a couple of documents and ‘tips’ on doing this build using my custom heatsink. In my ‘Driver Tips’ document, you will find a good schematic of the original DDL driver.
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/MXDLDriverTips.doc
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/MXDLHeatsinkTips.doc
Jay

 

[robjdixon]

great post jay-rob
may i say that his heatsinks are fantastic

 

[jayrob]

great post jay-rob
may i say that his heatsinks are fantastic

Thanks robjdixon! Here's a good picture of the heatsink he is referring to:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1202452073/0#6
The set screw design allows you to position the module. (same set screw design for AixiZ or Meredith)

For me, and I'm sure many others, the building of the DIY lasers is the best part of this hobby. That's why I share the 'how to' for my build with everyone. After all, I learned this stuff from others! But if you don't want to DIY, I can help you out there too...
Jay