635nm vs 650nm

[Ablaze]

So here is the scenario: I can get a 650nm diode for much less than a 635nm. Even at double the power the 650 is still 40% cheaper than the 635. So I'm wondering if there's much difference. Which one would you go with?

 

[rhd]

Multi-mode? Single-mode?

What power ranges are we talking about? 5 vs 10mW is a different story from 500mW vs 1,000mW.

 

[Ablaze]

Single mode diode modules, 10mw vs 20mw.

Really, I can get them in whatever power I want, but I'm trying to match apparent brightness to 5mw of green. I would far prefer the more visible 635nm... but the cost is making me think of other options.

 

[Cyparagon]

You need ~3-4 times the power of a 660 to be as bright as a 635. That means the 635 will consume less power and be safer for about the same price.

 

[Blord]

I got the 60mW Sanyo 635nm laser and the 250mW LOC from the LPC815. The dot and the beam brightness are comparable. But the 635nm needs 107mA and the 660nm LOC 405mA.
Do your math.

 

[rhd]

Single mode diode modules, 10mw vs 20mw.

Really, I can get them in whatever power I want, but I'm trying to match apparent brightness to 5mw of green. I would far prefer the more visible 635nm... but the cost is making me think of other options.

What others have said - Go for 10mW of 635nm, it's the safer of the two routes, and should look bright as 40mW of 660nm.

Plus, it's really hard to argue with the price of a 10mW 635nm diode. They're like $10 if you buy the diodes one at a time, or like $1.50 each if you buy them in QTYs of 50 or more.

It's hard to argue with 50 diodes for under $75!

 

[tsteele93]

I'll play devils advocate here. I really don't care for the "dot" that you get from the 635's. I'd much rather have a tight, round dot than strange line with wings or however it is described.

I know OP is trying to match a green and he is gonna HAVE to go with 635 to do that I think, but if dot shape is important to you, then definitely check some beam/dot pics before you choose.

Personally, I'd rather have 250-300 mW of 650-660 than 635, but you may feel differently.

 

[rhd]

I'll play devils advocate here. I really don't care for the "dot" that you get from the 635's. I'd much rather have a tight, round dot than strange line with wings or however it is described.

I know OP is trying to match a green and he is gonna HAVE to go with 635 to do that I think, but if dot shape is important to you, then definitely check some beam/dot pics before you choose.

There's nothing inherent about the 635nm wavelength that makes the dot any worse than 660. You're comparing apples and oranges (IE, a multi-mode Mitsubishi 635, to a single-mode LOC 660nm. You may have missed his previous reply:

Single mode diode modules, 10mw vs 20mw.

Ablaze is comparing apples and apples. Single mode vs single mode. The dot won't be an issue, they'll both be the same. The 635 will have the same beam characteristics as the 660

The whole "crappy dot" phenomena has nothing to do with the Mitsubishi 635s being 635, and everything to do with them being "multi-mode" not "single-mode".

 

[Blord]

The Sanyo 635nm diode is single mode diode and has a beautiful round dot. It is nothing like the Mitsubitshi 300mW diode. The dot is even nicer than the LOC dot which has a clear thin line thru it. Just pure round dot like the green DPSS lasers.

That why I have ordered the single mode 450nm diode. Thanks to RHD module I can build a single mode 450nm laser.

 

[cheech226]

@rhd did you ever measure just what wl the loc's (816, 826, 836) are really putting out? i know the mitsu 635's increase in wl as the temps go up, i was wondering just how far these two diodes are really apart.

 

[Cyparagon]

I don't know about the other two, but I have personally graphed a pair of 826s

 

[Ablaze]

I really want to go with the 653s, but at approximately $18 per unit vs $12 for the 650 the price is prohibitive.

Thanks. I suppose I should look around and see if I can find a cheaper price for 635s. Just because a supplier is the cheapest for greens doesn't mean they are the cheapest for reds I suppose.

 

[rhd]

I really want to go with the 653s, but at approximately $18 per unit vs $12 for the 650 the price is prohibitive.

Thanks. I suppose I should look around and see if I can find a cheaper price for 635s. Just because a supplier is the cheapest for greens doesn't mean they are the cheapest for reds I suppose.

$18 for a 10mW 635nm is crazy talk!

If these are for your gloves, you really should start cutting out the middleman when it comes to these "modules". Press the diodes yourself. You're paying someone else a LOT of money, to do something easy.

The 635nm 10mW diodes can be had for $60 (for 50x of them):
50pcs 10mw 635nm laser diode To-18 package | eBay

Grab some module housings, press them yourself, and you've got a $4 investment per "module" instead of $18 (which is really just handing your bottom line to someone else who doesn't deserve it).

 

[Ablaze]

hmmm... it will take me a lot more research to get to the point where I could assemble my own modules, but I can try to figure it out once I get a break in my school work.

 

[Ghostchrome]

It's pretty easy, man. I'd say go for it when you get the chance and at least try it on a few. You'll save yourself lots of money.

 

[rhd]

hmmm... it will take me a lot more research to get to the point where I could assemble my own modules, but I can try to figure it out once I get a break in my school work.

It's pretty easy, man. I'd say go for it when you get the chance and at least try it on a few. You'll save yourself lots of money.

Like Ghostchrome said, it's pretty easy.

When I say that there's no research required, I mean it. Learning how to press a diode into a module is like step 1 of 150 that new laser enthusiasts tackle. It's almost not something you NEED to learn. You buy a diode, buy a module, and with them in front of you, it's pretty darn evident exactly how they fit together.

If you're using the heavy duty black modules (Aixiz sells 5 for $15), then you don't even need a diode press, you just need your fingers to twist a little brass nut in place.

There's really nothing to learn. It's like Lego, except there's only one way for this stuff to fit together