635 nm O-like

[aryntha]

Would be nice if this was for real; weeba2kv - did you hear back from them at all?

I'm betting on

A) not singlemode.

-or-

B) not 635. (645-650).

Can't really tell much from those beamshots though.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Would be nice if this was for real; weeba2kv - did you hear back from them at all?

I'm betting on

A) not singlemode.

-or-

B) not 635. (645-650).

Can't really tell much from those beamshots though.

If it's 650nm I'm doing a chargeback. Or sending it back for a refund, so long as they cover shipping.

 

[aryntha]

If it's 650nm I'm doing a chargeback. Or sending it back for a refund, so long as they cover shipping.

Well, let us know as soon as you get it, some + on you for taking the plunge, because it's something that could benefit us all if it works out -- it's always a risk, somewhat, with these companies (even O-Like to some degree) that tend to fudge specs.

Hopefully my hunch is wrong, but honestly if it is, 200mW singlemode real 635 (I'd live with 638...) then $79 is kind of a price breakthrough even on the bare diode level, forget built host.

 

[weeba2kv]

Nope still no e-mail from o-like :/

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Well, let us know as soon as you get it, some + on you for taking the plunge, because it's something that could benefit us all if it works out -- it's always a risk, somewhat, with these companies (even O-Like to some degree) that tend to fudge specs.

Hopefully my hunch is wrong, but honestly if it is, 200mW singlemode real 635 (I'd live with 638...) then $79 is kind of a price breakthrough even on the bare diode level, forget built host.

Thanks for the +rep and I'll definitely keep everyone posted on it.

I have a feeling these may just be low efficiency binned Mitsubishi diodes, as Lazeerer pointed out.

Now the wait begins. Hopefully I'll have this ld in time for the holidays:san:

 

[lazeerer]

Iam thinking they are using the same diode as they are using in there lab 635nm:

200mW 635nm Red laser Industrial Module /Focusable [OL-635-200] - $115.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

Which they show <4mRad.

But that is only a guess that they are using the same diode. I would think so since its around the same Price.

The Only Single mode diode that i can think of close to that spec is this:
http://www.opnext.com/products/pdf/ode2_071_hl63133dg_Rev1.pdf

However the Price for it is double the price of the laser. So I dont think this is possible.

The Next one which they also have but is 642nm:
Opnext HL6385DG 642 nm 150 mW Red Laser Diode/Single mode [OL-HL6385DG] - $138.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

Still Pretty expensive.

So Single Mode I dont think so.

They might be using the 300mW Mitsubishi with Prisms. But for $80.? I would think they would mention this if they did though.

Either way it turns out its still a Great Buy. If you get the 300mW Mitsubishi + the Host.

Depending on the Currant they are running it at you might be able to modify it to put out more since we tested these diodes and know what they are capable of. Just a though.:beer:

 

[weeba2kv]

Mail from olike: We use Opnext red laser diode , The dot is not round ,it is with line shape

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Eight days after I placed the order:

11/01/2011 Processing

Thanks. 11/01/2011 Processing PayPal status: Completed @ 14:07:40 Nov 01, 2011 PDT
Trans ID:*******************
Amount: 92.98 USD.

Still freaking processing:banghead: Also kind of weird that they have no option to select color... black or silver, I did email them and got a reply... that was almost a week ago.

Will be interesting to see the opnext diode results vs the mitsu

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Update:

Heard back from Susie at o-like, since I asked for an update on shipping.

Apparently originally the laser was with the 0pnext 250mW diode, but was only hitting 150mW after the lenses.

Because it is obviously underspec, they are switching to the 300mW Mit$u ld instead.

Hopefully with it, I'll see quite a bit over 200mW.

 

[StardustSprinkles]

I can't wait to hear the verdict on this laser, I've been looking for a more affordable 635nm for a while now.

 

[rhd]

^^^DTR and RHD Purchased these diode "HL6388MG" a wail ago before ll these 635nm diodes started to pop up cheap and they where able to run them IIRC ~150mW so I dont think they are using that diode.

Those Diodes are Not worth the Money.

Plus the "HL6388MG" is Multi mode.

They are most likely using the 300mW Mitsubishi diodes.

They Probebly get the Mitsubishi diodes for ~<$30.

The HL6388MG is not an impressive diode, so I'm not surprised they're switching to the Mitsubishi.

That said, in terms of beam characteristics, both diodes (the HL6388MG and the Mits 300) are on par. Neither will give you a dot. The fact that O-Like advertises the output as such is a bit confusing. If it were a single-mode diode at ~640nm with 200mW of output for $90 built, I'd order ten

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

I can't wait to hear the verdict on this laser, I've been looking for a more affordable 635nm for a while now.

Believe me... I'm quite anxious too. I love the host design, and if this one works out I'll probably order another two, to give away as gifts for new years

The HL6388MG is not an impressive diode, so I'm not surprised they're switching to the Mitsubishi.

That said, in terms of beam characteristics, both diodes (the HL6388MG and the Mits 300) are on par. Neither will give you a dot. The fact that O-Like advertises the output as such is a bit confusing. If it were a single-mode diode at ~640nm with 200mW of output for $90 built, I'd order ten

Lol! You and me both

I suspect that o-like noticed my comments about them stating the output before the lens previously, so I'm actually quite pleased that they took the time to test it out, and are swapping out the diodes.

I would have been a bit disappointed to get only a 150mW laser.

With the 300mW mitsu though... they should be able to bump it up well past 200mW easily.

Most likely we'll see this model get split into two models... the 0pnext will be sold at the same price as now, but we'll see 300mW+ model for a bit more.

At least that's what I would do in o-like's shoes

 

[StardustSprinkles]

Maybe I'm missing something but is this focusable? With that bar shape thing goin on I'd think focusability would help, at least in short range.

 

[rhd]

Most likely we'll see this model get split into two models... the 0pnext will be sold at the same price as now, but we'll see 300mW+ model for a bit more.

At least that's what I would do in o-like's shoes

I doubt that actually. The Opnext is a more expensive diode. If anything, I could see them simply driving the Mits to different levels, and segmenting the market that way.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

I doubt that actually. The Opnext is a more expensive diode. If anything, I could see them simply driving the Mits to different levels, and segmenting the market that way.

Maybe not anymore. I mean they originally planned and priced this model with the 0pnext diode, not the misubi$hi.

I do think we'll see a number of different power levels if they start making these lasers. I suspect the biggest issue with this laser will be the small amount of heatsinking, but IIRC these diodes don't warm up as fast the 445's, so may not be much of a factor.

Time will tell. Shame we have to wait for it though

 

[rhd]

Maybe not anymore. I mean they originally planned and priced this model with the 0pnext diode, not the misubi$hi.

You have to sort of take it with a grain of salt.

O-Like doesn't always give accurate information about their diodes. For example, their single-mode 445nm "Opnext" diode, isn't an Opnext. It's the OSRAM. The same one Rayfoss sells (for less).

There's a thread about it over at PL.

Long story short, who knows what diodes they use, and when. As of now, they're still selling the single-mode blue as an Opnext, even though Susie has reportedly told people it's really the Osram.