730mW 12X 405nm Helios Kit

[danefex]

Greetings folks.....! Here's a review of another build I recently finished, my first 405nm violet/purple laser

Here's the deal

I used a Helios Kit with his custom heatsink w/ tray for the host, a DrLava V5 flexdrive set to 550mA and a 12X SF-BW512 diode I extracted from its sled - all powered with 1 18650 Li-Ion battery.

The build
The build was simple after extracting the 12X. It was just a matter of setting the diode in the Aixiz module, mounting it into the heatsink, running it's wires back to the driver, then running those wires to the battery. I also drilled a small hole in the heatsink and mounted the negative driver input with a small set screw for secure fitting. This is a case negative build and I did not use the diode case pin.

Overall the Helios Kit was great to work with for building this laser, by far one of the simplest I've ever worked with.

Pictures

On top facing the R is the assembled laser, below facing L is a duplicate model taken apart to show its internal parts. (forgot to include the battery contact board)

Here's a video of it in action.

Part 1

I shut the laser off at 697mW, then turned it back on to snap some more pictures and it metered even higher.....

Part 2

Overall I'm very impressed with how this all turned out, and I want to thank Helios for making such an awesome host!

Thanks for reading :beer:

 

[anselm]

It's not a very pretty host (arguably), but it is very well thought through,
and easy to work with indeed.
I am still deciding what to put inside mine.:thinking:
Something high powered, for sure, this thing has plenty heatsinking capabilities.

Good job you did there.

 

[LaZeRz]

Have fun with your new 405 laser, these things burn like crazy and are really fun to fluoresce things with and write on GITD stuff

Nice and simple review +1

 

[Meatball]

That's a cool looking host. I should have jumped in on one.

Keep this 12X. You will never own a better 405nm laser, or a better hand held burner.

 

[laserpyro]

This is exactly what I plan on doing with mine. Except with a microboost

 

[danefex]

It's not a very pretty host (arguably), but it is very well thought through, and easy to work with indeed.
I am still deciding what to put inside mine.:thinking:
Something high powered, for sure, this thing has plenty heatsinking capabilities.

Good job you did there.

Thanks! I can agree with you too about the host being extremely well thought out. It's also not the prettiest of the bunch alongside my other lasers, especially the stainless steel builds - however this host does have a unique 'rouge' feel to it that I'm am particularly drawn too. It's more of a military/tough guy laser to me, I enjoy the rugged finish

Have fun with your new 405 laser, these things burn like crazy and are really fun to fluoresce things with and write on GITD stuff

Nice and simple review +1

Many thanks! I finished this build just after receiving a 400mW 405 from o-like, but mine is visibly twice as bright as the 400mW. This thing would decimate a room full of balloons no problem!

That's a cool looking host. I should have jumped in on one. Keep this 12X. You will never own a better 405nm laser, or a better hand held burner.

I wish I had 10 more of these hosts, they are definitely well thought out and because of the size & amount of room to work with - a lot can be done from it

This is exactly what I plan on doing with mine. Except with a microboost

Dozens of builds could come from this, strong or reasonably powered. I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever comes from it as I've learned to enjoy mine

I have 1 more Helios host left for another build, not sure what to make from it just yet. Several 445 diodes & a few more 12Xs on the bench along with some 1.3A & 1.8A drivers (no more unsoldered V5s for now). Another 445 build seems too easy, I was thinking of just setting it aside for a few months or until some new diode hits the market :thinking:

:beer: