Couple questions about a PHR-805T build

[kmm5117]

So I have two main questions about a build I did today, but need a little help. I built a laser with a PHR-805T 405nm diode and once complete I can't get my laser to focus. I screw in the acrylic lens (what i believe is acrylic, pics below) to try to focus to infinity, but even all the way in I can't get the laser focused (the pic at the bottom is from around 3 ft away). I took power readings as best i could (close up) and I got around 30mW, which seems wrong, I expected higher. So i decided to change the batteries from the RCR123A x2 to 16340 x2 and I got a reading of around 80mW. The driver I'm using is a mohgasm linear set to 100mA. My questions are: Would a 3-element glass lens fix this problem (I don't want to spend the money for a G2 or something with such a cheap diode), also why aren't the RCR123A's giving me a higher power reading, is it because they only put out 6.0V total which the 16340's will give me around 7.2V ? Here are some pictures to explain the problem.

Thanks much in advance

 

[norbyx]

The laser is installed how? What host? What module?

 

[grainde]

I think its because the acrylic lens is too short and it cant get close enough to the diode. Have you got a 405 or 445 glass lens to try? If not you could remove it from the aixiz focusing ring and try to screw it in further. You can then glue on the focusing ring at the position where you have reached infinity.:beer:

 

[kmm5117]

The laser is installed in an aixiz module set inside of a C6 host, sorry forgot to add that part.

 

[norbyx]

I couldn't agree more with grainde, I had the same problem with a acrylic lens myself and ended up screwing it by hand and then placing the focusing ring with some locktite to make it work. In the end I changed the lens to a 3 element cristal one. and never looked back.
Remember that the host and lenses are always with you, if the laser dies, you can always purchase a new diode and done, so even if you spend a bit more in a glass lens, in the end it's an investment you are doing.

 

[kmm5117]

Awesome, thanks a lot...