Burning capabilities of a 808 IR laser

[snoutke]

Hi,

Just received this 500mW 808nm IR laser. It is an overspec laser which outputs 630mW.

I tested its burning capabilities among other things and found out that it can burn a match only at close distance up to 30cm well focused.

I thought about returning it, adding some money and getting a 1W or a 2W unit (I have goggles and I am well aware of the risks and am taking all necessary safety measures).

But then I thought that I would'nt replace it if I only get a slight improvement in burning capabilities.

So my question is:

Does power matter in these lasers with respect to burning, meaning that if I get a 2W IR laser it will be able to burn matches 1 meter distance or further?

Or maybe more power will not do much to burning capabilities (perhaps due to the beam characteristics of this laser) and I will get only a few centimeters improvement?

TIA

 

[blakegriffin]

I know that 405nm laser are best for burning I have been able to light a match from 3 meters with my 411mw 405nm laser. A 630mw IR laser should be able to burn thing like crazy or so I think. If it can only light matches from 30 centimeter I probably has bad divergence but I am not sure that is kinda weird

 

[Bluefan]

Most 808nm lasers have a lousy beam profile, so check if divergence, that may be the reason buring only work on close range.