Its not in good form to post again right after posting. You should edit the prior post instead
I rarely use Teflon tape myself. Concerned about any coming loose and burning. Just be really careful wrapping.
wow
triple posting--
you may hear from somebody about that
teflon tape can ONLY be used for lenses IF you know how to make it impossible to get into the diode or diode window
adding a focus knob helps- you can add a very tiny dot of silicon glue to keep it in place in the focus knob- so it wont move-other wise changing the focus ( & I somehow get the feeling you do that a LOT) will not make you remove the knob and lens to 'start over' -- there is a 640 diode that is said to have the best of all- bright shade of red and super thin beam which makes it even brighter - side by side it atkes 2W of 650 to 'look' tyhe same brightness of 1 w of 640 Mierlight sells a 500mW 640 showlabby for only $1500at Greedbay
Norty UK has a YTUBE vid of two identical PJs with the two reds- equal in preceived brightness-
GL hak
then tape or spring where the lens goes into the module
Sorry for the triple post.
I own 3 501B lasers, 2 have G lenses and 1 has a 3-element. In my experience the lens barrels all need tape and/or a spring. The G's seem less loose but it's still a problem. Lens barrels of course are not a tight fit (understandable since you'd have too much metal-to-metal contact and thread wear and tiny metal shavings. However, the amount of play/wobble in the fit is always unacceptable. With no lens or spring, the wobble throws the beam angle around and it's impossible to hold a focus point. The lens moves at the slightest move of the host. These lasers are well-made, awesome products and deserve a stable, snug lens fit and proper focus rotation.
A spring adds tension and helps hold a focus, but the wobble is still totally there when rotating, throwing your beam angle. Keep in mind the lens can also move forward-backward a tiny bit which ruins the focus too.
My first 501B had teflon tape and no spring. One wrapping takes away ALL wobble and play. But it was still too easy to rotate. I added a spring and it was fine. But I got paranoid about the spring hitting the diode. I re-wrapped the lens with two layers and it's fantastic.
My other two 501Bs had the G lenses with springs and no tape. Rotating the lens throws the beam angle horribly. I took the springs out and wrapped one layer on the threads, and it's snug and tight. Zero wobble.
After noticing the same lens fit with 3 lasers (the wobble and play, which I understand based on the design) I just don't see how people could use it like that. Teflon tape is dirt cheap. I got a roll for under $1. After 30 mins of practice I have a method of wrapping tightly. The tape does not slip. And it's easy to scrape away the bits that cover the lens. The fit is perfect. It is so easy to fix what seems like widespread "issue". And the tape is very easy to work with. If you mess up you can get it all off in one or two big peices, even after you pressed it into the threads. And it never gets into the module threads. It stays on the lens barrel.
Teflon tape is a complete score, IMO. Dirt cheap, clean/neat, removes ALL wobble and play. Wrap one or two layers for desired tightness. Without it or a spring the laser is seriously handicapped...
And yes, I do like to adjust the focus point of my laser. It's a feature of the design. I should be able to do it all day if I want, including removing the lens and using it like a "flashlight"
I don't know about others but I want my laser to hold it's focus point and have a straight beam. But to each their own? lol :beer:
Luckily the tape is a score for me. My 445 has a closed can but I'm still paranoid about anything touching that diode window... :beer: