You will be more then happy with the device, as I said: I own it for about 3 weeks now and I compared it against my collection of 1-3,5W output "pointers". Also I own a few laser engravers (Laserpecker, Neje, Wainlux, Daja) with which I compared it. Here I think the optics will play a big role in terms of what output characteristic and quality to expect...
To sum it up, I think the 7W device from Zach is one, if not THE best high powered single diode "pointer" device you could probably get! It has a good and nice looking host, and all should be easy serviceable. The NUBM44 is as far as I know the strongest single diode "easily" available at the moment!
The driver board is also very nice, it offers different modes and memorizes the last used one. One funny note: As I got the device and first used it (burning a little mark in my wooden drawer 5m away; this was INTENTIONALLY of course
), I was very impressed with the output power, and thought that this already has been "full power". Only to find out later (after rereading the available info), that the "highest" output mode is switched on only with a double -press of the button... What should I say, the drawer got a second one, but even bigger, "branding"... just seconds after my finding...
So
@zach: Thank you very much for this fantastic "engraver"!!
For all others in the search of a really nice high(est) powered device: Get this one, you wont regret it!!
In regard to my M31 build: It is not very advanced now, rather proof of concept!! But it will improve soon, mainly in regard to proper cooling and handling... I also have a Osram PLPM4L here, which has only 3 of the 4 lines working... A new one is just underway! From my first impressions the PLP seems to have a tighter beam profile as the M31, but keep in mind this judgement is based on a 3 of 4 rows working PLP...
Next steps would be the design of better mount and cooling, so that I can go "full power" without burning the array within seconds... Maybe 3D Print some parts...