dirty beam on CNI green pen laser

[Mik]

I purchased a second hand, green CNI pen laser. It came in a Wicked Lasers box, and I was told that it was sold as the 55mW Executive Pro model, going back a few years when WL just sold CNI lasers in a WL box.

The laser has a tiny hot spot like most, but it's also got a huge amount of splash surrounding the hotspot. It would appear that the lens is very dirty. So far I have removed the front cap, and very gently used a cotton swab with alcohol to wipe the visible glass lens (I think that the visible lens is the IR filter?). It appears to be clean, and the gentle cotton swab/alcohol cleaning has made no improvements.

This is how the beam looks at about 20 feet. I have another CNI product, and the dot stands all by itself, very clean - much different than what you see here. The picture is not perfect, as in what my eyes see.. but basically it's just a LOT of green noise around the central dot.

Suggestions for improvement?

Thank you.

 

[Don't Laze Me Bro]

the lens may be scratched, try useing a lens pen or a microfiber cloth. They work great with my CNI pen!

 

[scopeguy20]

With no batteries in, inspect the lens with a magnifier, if it looks clean and unscratched, you may be seeing a problem in the crystal, but other than lens dirt, few users can do anything to improve other issues. If the lens is good and dot not improved, I would suggest replacement of the unit. It c/b unrepairable, at least for those without more special tools and expertise. Sorry... -Glenn

 

[Pontiacg5]

If you cleaned the front side of the lens and it still looks like that it could be possible that the lens is dirty on the back side. I have a fusion, same case as that, and the lens fell off. If someone had the lens fall off and didn't clean it properly before re-gluing it might look like that. How is the lens glued to the module? You should see (when looking down the aperture with the gold cap and batteries removed) what looks like a tiny contact lens with 2 tiny dots of glue to either side. If the glue looks splotchy someone might have messed with it.

I don't think it is scratched, lenses that are scratched usually show a line in a beam, like one of those laser levels.

Another thing that is a possibility, those lenses are coated. I'm not sure what exactly it is with but if someone was to use a harsh cleaner on a coated lens it could look like that (I know from experience!)

You could replace the lens if all else fails, it is not to hard to do if you can find the proper lens. I used a toothpick to dab JB quik on the sides of the lens to hold it down.

 

[Mik]

If you cleaned the front side of the lens and it still looks like that it could be possible that the lens is dirty on the back side. I have a fusion, same case as that, and the lens fell off. If someone had the lens fall off and didn't clean it properly before re-gluing it might look like that. How is the lens glued to the module? You should see (when looking down the aperture with the gold cap and batteries removed) what looks like a tiny contact lens with 2 tiny dots of glue to either side. If the glue looks splotchy someone might have messed with it.

I don't think it is scratched, lenses that are scratched usually show a line in a beam, like one of those laser levels.

Another thing that is a possibility, those lenses are coated. I'm not sure what exactly it is with but if someone was to use a harsh cleaner on a coated lens it could look like that (I know from experience!)

You could replace the lens if all else fails, it is not to hard to do if you can find the proper lens. I used a toothpick to dab JB quik on the sides of the lens to hold it down.

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys! The lens looks really clean on the outside face, and the glue appears to have been neatly applied. It looks like a factory job, so I am guessing that the lens has not been off (or the previous owner was VERY careful putting it back in).

I think I am going to sell this one and my other CNI, and buy one big greenie :eg: