yes, the divergence is terrible. better with a 3 element but still bad. one of these with a three element might even still be worse than an m140 with a g lens.
for long range, the best option for a high power 445nm may just be the osram 1.6W, I actually just asked DTR in his thread about the diode if he could do dot shots for us so we can see
I use a g lens with my NDB7A75 build, because it increases the power by nearly 1W, and I use this laser to torch ****, when **** needs torching, which really isnt that often. but the divergence is really terrible, very much like a mitsubishi 638 or an oclaro 700mW 638
while the beam is about twice as bright on the NDB7A75, when it comes to long distance you will be much better off with one of the lower powered 445nm diodes, which is why I have both. at long distane, the poor divergence will decrease the brightness of the beam anyway, another reason to go lower powered, lower divergence. It is a bright laser though, only a powerful green laser could challenge it, as far as handhelds go
you could get both lens types, but I'm telling you that even with a three element the divergence will disappoint you
this is a diode that I also think really needs a superb copper heatsink as well as a diode back half, which DTR sells. it gets hot quick. it's really a much different animal than other 445nm diodes. 1-2W is dangerous enough, and the old gen 9mm could make 3.5W sometimes, but this one can go as high as 6W, we are talking serious power that demands the highest level of respect and care. I run mine in my old copper DominatoR host, the heatsink is over a troy lb of copper, and I still stick to short duty cycles
oh and the divergence on diode lasers doesnt change with more current, the dot just gets brighter.