Few questions about greenies

[Zeebit]

Hi everyone! New noob on the forum here. Btw, I'm from the Philippines (asia) so stuff here might be different from yours.

So I bought a $10 5mW laser locally. Seller said it was from HongKong. This laser pointer pen looks similar to other brands sold by different retailers. It is matte black and the middle is unscrewable for two AAAs.

Here's what happened: I got the laser and threw in some batteries. It was nighttime so I gave it a shot. The laser spot is quite bright but the beam is not that bright but seems ok for a 5mW pointer. After a few minutes of use, but bot continuos, I noticed the beam got a bit weaker until it was gone. I replaced the batteries but still no beam. I had unintentionally looked not directly.ino the cavity and saw red light. I also remember dropping the pointer but it was only a few inches above the ground. Now the laser is dead.

After researching, I can say that the crystals inside might have been misaligned. It also could have been burnt but I can't see how this could be happening to such a low power pointer.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there any possibility of repairing this?

2. Are there certain procedures for using new greenies to prevent them from getting toast?

 

[jeffreythe00]

Green lasers are very temperature dependent. If the pump gets too warm the wavelength could shift and the same for the cold. The crystals work in a similar manner.

Now first thing you can try is letting your laser sit for a while. If it gets dim. Shut it off. Dimming could be caused by a number of reasons but I'm going to say that you are most likely overheating your laser. If your laser gets warm and starts acting up. That's usually a good sign to shut it off. If its dimming right away it could be from low batteries.

Try using good cells. Most green laser drivers are linear and your output will drop as the cells drain.

If your laser quits completely. Then you most likely toasted the pump or crystals. You really couldn't reallign those cheap pen laser crystals nor would you want to bother as they would require too mih work to even get them loose not to mention it would be a royal PITA to even get them to lase better than they already are. Not to mention you would be exposing yourself to hundreds of miliwatts of 808nm Infared radiation.

For what you paid I would just buy another or take the laser back and get a new one. Or you could just spend the extra money and buy a quality made pen that will last essentially forever.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

One other note... NEVER look into the aperture. That red light you were seeing is IR (infrared), and can damage your eyes.

 

[Zeebit]

I did not stare at the aperture. It was indirect.

The crystal is toast. I let it sit overnight to no avail.

I managed to get a replacement. I could not find any decent greenies here in my country. All I could find are similar cheap Chinese crap.

Are there any other ways I could prolong the life of such greenies?

 

[jeffreythe00]

I don't mean to sound rude but.. if you really don't want to get junk don't buy junk.

Most cheap pointers are as you say... cheap. Don't buy one to begin with. There's really no way you can prolong a green laser besides not doing the obvious abuse to it like dropping it, submerging it in water and other stupid things like that.

There are some cheap green pointers that will work very good and last a long time. But you take your chances when you pay 10$ for a greenie .

What country do you live in? I know there is a member somewhere in the UK selling a VERY high quality green laser for 25$+shipping

 

[Zeebit]

I mentioned in the OP that im from the Philippines. There is also this crap $20+ 500mW green but I guess its not even close to 200mW.

This is my first laser btw. So yeah, I should not drop it nor let it heat up too much.

As far as I'm willing to shell out, I can only go for ~$10 lasers as I am still a student living with my parents. The replacement should be here in a few days.

Please give me a link to that $25+ laser because I might be able to save some cash for quality greenies.