Can't see the beam

[MattM15]

Is it strange that I can't see the beam on my 405nm 700mW laser?

 

[chipdouglas]

First off, there aren't many true 405's putting out 700mw... and at night time, assuming you have normal vision, you should easily see the beam. 405 is on the edge of what our eyes can see.

Michael.

 

[MattM15]

Supposedly the diode is Lazeerer's Special "1W" 405nm and the driver is set to 578mA

 

[ChaosLord]

Not at all. 405nm is at the edge of human vision. Our eyes can't pick up the wavelength very well.

Everyone is different too. Some can't see the beam at all. Among those that can, what they see can vary from bluish to grey.

You will definitely need to be in a dark room or outside at night to see it. Just be careful since the lack of visibility can be misleading.

If you search the forum, you can find a few threads discussing the visibility of 405nm lasers, and how different they can appear from one person to the next.

 

[jimdt7]

We need more info about your laser in order to help you...

Jim

 

[chipdouglas]

I a ggl set to about 120ma and I can see my beam at night out side. I struggle, but I see it.

Michael.


edit... @op, in the future, give as much info as possible, and unless you have verified with a laser power meter, the actual out put, don't tell us what you "mw" is. just tell us what lens and ma your driver is.

 

[MattM15]

It's the laser that Wannaburnstuff was selling. This is the thread here:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/sold-700mw-405nm-fs-3-element-950mw-w-g-2-a-87675.html

So 3 Element lens. 578ma.

All I can see is an extremely faint violet dot if I shine it like 10 feet in front of me. No beam or anything. Even tried breathing out by the beam and I could see anything.

 

[Cel]

It's the laser that Wannaburnstuff was selling. This is the thread here:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/sold-700mw-405nm-fs-3-element-950mw-w-g-2-a-87675.html

So 3 Element lens. 578ma.

All I can see is an extremely faint violet dot if I shine it like 10 feet in front of me. No beam or anything. Even tried breathing out by the beam and I could see anything.

Can it burn things?

Try popping a balloon, or lighting a match, or scorching some plastics...

Maybe the laser was damaged or something...

 

[MattM15]

I can't really even feel heat from it to be honest. I tried a bunch of different batteries and nothing. I'll try again when I get home. Is anyone around the wny area that I could have it lpm'd maybe?

 

[ryansoh3]

If you can't feel the heat, it's definitely outputting less than 100mW.

Did you by any chance, put the battery in backwards?

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS LASER IS HOST POSITIVE, UNLIKE MANY DIODE BUILDS. So if you buy it, don't stick dem batts in backwards.

 

[MattM15]

Nope I've been putting the battery in with the positive facing the tailcap. I'm really not sure what's wrong. Is it possible that I don't feel the heat because it's not focused correctly?

 

[DTR]

Did the seller or listing tell you to put the battery in positive toward the tailcap? That would be case positive and most builds are case negative. The diode is neutral and it could be built either way but most build them case negative to reduce confusion and accidental reverse polarity.

Also if this picture indicates the way the battery is to be inserted it is positive end in first and negative toward the tialcap.

 

[MattM15]

He told me negative end in first. Even sent a little diagram of how to insert the battery

 

[KRNAZNBOY]

I would recommend getting it LPMed. Only way to know for sure

 

[MattM15]

Any one in the WNY area that could LPM it or what do they cost

 

[Tmack]

That was my first guess. He said no

I'll LPM it. Just pay shipping I'll do it for free