Well I bought 10 of them on DX (panasonic batteries) that are, according to the reviews, really realiable. I'm gonna give those a try. If they empty out too fast, I'll go with the one you're recommending.
Got this kit, diode and my helping hands all in the mail yesterday.
Great timing!
This is a great host, and jayrob's work is excellent. I have a feeling I will be either getting this or the 'big brother' for my next one, which will be a 445.
You made it almost too easy to put together.
It was a little tough to get the pill and heatsink threaded on all the way, but not hard at all.
I would say thread tape definitely helps on the lens.
Very cool for my first 'real' laser! I've been showing it off to friends and neighbors for the last day and a half. Cutting electrical tape is pretty fun. :eg:
The batteries work okay, but they behave a little weird... When I fire up the laser for the first time, it starts out not so bright, on the second time it's way brighter, then it goes down a little on the third light up, and finally it start going back up to normal. If I leave it untouched for more then 30min the cycle restarts....
No, it's not the driver, it's well connected. I guess it maybe the protection on the batteries, although I can't say that for sure since I can't read the japense on the label. But it has been more stable recently.
You can do it that way, but you can get the negative feed to the driver from the pill...
If you get the 'Hot' option kit from me, it will be done that way. And all you need to do is connect my lead wires from the driver output, to your diode...