i am stealing this idea from kenom i know there is a thread, but in this one is for dvd burners that have standard 5.6mm open cans, let me start off with one
I have used LG GSA-H55N, nice open can red. IR diode also will burn if given 130 ma, I've had the IR diode from this drive up to 170 ma for a short period (30 seconds), diode is still living. Drives cost me about C$30 each, and conveniently available three blocks from home.
Well the Sony Opti Arc that everybody is getting from Newegg are rebadged Lite-ons. (you can tell the quality when you open one) I can actually unscrew the 4 cover screws then rip the rest apart with my bare hands and extract the diode in about 10 seconds with a razor knife.
THE best diode I have gotten was from an LG 20x LiteScribe drive that I got at Fry's on sale for $40. ALthough I don't have the model number as I already trashed the rest. It is a long open can, and took 400 ma no problem.
I just ordered the Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7190A from Newegg for $ 23.99 with free shipping and plan on driving it with the AMC 7135 board and a cap, will post results soon. Catmandoo