Hello and LG BH10LS30 (10X)

[daguin]

I got the 10X sled from Freqjn yesterday. I got the chance to look at it today. Since we are comparing this LG 10X to the LG 8X, I decided to strip them side-by-side so everyone can see.

The differences between the Pioneer 8X and the Pioneer 12X in both the sled and the diode are very small. About the only real physical difference between them is the missing beam circlerizer in the 12X sled.

There are significant differences between the LG 8X and the LG 10X

In the pictures the 10X is on your left (the monitor's right)

Here is the back of the sleds. You can see the first of the differences in the metal "covers." The metal of the 10X is MUCH heavier and covers more of the sled than the metal on the 8X. The 10X sled is also a bit smaller

Here is the front of the sleds. The next major difference is more obvious here. The 10X sled is made of a composite/plastic material instead of the metal alloy we are used to. Pyrotechnic enthusiasts are crying into their beer about now.

Here's a shot of the ribbon assembly. You can also see the differences between the metal covers in this shot.

Here's with the ribbon assemblies removed. The 10X is, optically, more "simple" than the 8X. There are fewer optical components. Also there are NO beam splitter cubes in the 10X

Here I have circled the violet and the red diodes for you. Another major difference becomes obvious in this one. The violet diode is on the other side of the sled. Also, the 8X heat sink is "buried" in and completely surrounded by the metal of the sled. Whereas the 10X heat sink is just "glued" onto the outside of the plastic sled. Finally, the red diode's heat sink is covered by copper in the 8X and "bare" in the 10X

Here are the diodes, in their heat sinks removed from the sleds. The violet diodes are the ones to the outside. The red diodes are the ones to the inside. The heat sinks of the violets are obviously different. The heat sinks of the red diodes are also different. The 8X's heat sink is smaller and does not surround the diode like the 10X red's heat sink

Both of the red diodes appear to be the same. Just their heat sinks look different.

There are some differences between the violet diodes. First, all three pins in the 8X are soldered to the ribbon cable. In the 10X the case pin is not soldered to the cable. The 10X also has a "board" rather than just a ribbon. The pins on the 10 are significantly longer than the pins on the 8X (YEA!)

Finally, the markings on the violet diodes are different. There are no markings on the can of either diode. The square "bar code" is the same size and in the same position on the backs of the diodes. The bar codes are different. We have seen that before in the same diodes. Probably denoting "batch" differences. One consistent difference is the little "x" above the bar code on the 10X. You can see it here in Freqjn's macro. This 10X diode has it as well. I have never seen that little "x" on an 8X diode.

That's as far as I have gotten for now. Those of you who have been patiently waiting for something from me already know that I have the flu. I will wait to do the IP/OP graph after I have recovered a bit

Peace,
dave

 

[StridAst]

Newegg has these now.

Newegg.com - LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - Blu-Ray Burners

 

[daguin]

I finally got around to testing this diode today. Thank you all for your patience with my flu.

Here is the raw data on it. Could someone graph it? I have sent this to IgorT as well. Hopefully he can integrate it with the 8X plots so we can compare it.

mA --- mW -- VF
60 ---- 38 -- 4.07
100 --- 98 -- 4.55
150 -- 165 -- 4.96
200 -- 235 -- 5.25
250 -- 298 -- 5.43
300 -- 369 -- 5.58
350 -- 430 -- 5.69

Test was done using a Jayrob 405-G-1 lens and a Rkcstr driver powered by 12V from a bench PSU

Peace,
dave

 

[Freqjn]

Ok, just a quick update. I've been playing with the 10x for over a week now. Started out at 360ma and 3 days ago (the morning of my wedding) bumped it up to 390ma. I really like the power. In another few days I'll take it up to 400ma. I'm not afraid to push this as with the 8x (370ma). The copper heat sink really gives me peace of mind. I use it as a flashlight on the beach at night and on average the longest I keep it on is 2 minutes, maybe 5-6min total on/off time daily. When I keep it on for extended periods it heats up enough for me to notice, but not enough to care. When I need to refocus it hurts the fingers. Since I turned it up to 390ma, the only reason I refocus is 'cause it is in my pocket all the time. Ultimately I want enough power to never need to focus for burning, popping balloons and whatever.

Dave thanks for testing, glad you're feeling better.

 

[StridAst]

Ok, On newegg the price is down to 149.99 shipped, but it has in red letters
"10% off with promo code BHDFEBTEN, ends 2/10(limit 1 per customer)"

I am assuming that's another 14.99 off for a bottom line of $135 shipped. At least to those who are not CA residents...


Newegg.com - LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - Blu-Ray Burners

 

[yobresal]

Well you better jump now as this is only a one day sale. Nice price. Stupid Ca sales tax is killing me though.

 

[Cenobite9]

Hey all, I just purchased the LG 10x from NewEgg today... $147.00 shipped (TN residents get hit with tax too). I have a host but do not have a way to mount the module in it yet. I am using a Dorcy Metal Gear for the host. I will still need to purchase a lens from jayrob and a driver from drlava as well. Hopefully I will have the pointer together within a few weeks.

 

[IgorT]

I finally got around to testing this diode today. Thank you all for your patience with my flu.

Here is the raw data on it. Could someone graph it? I have sent this to IgorT as well. Hopefully he can integrate it with the 8X plots so we can compare it.

I used your numbers to plot the diode and try to compare it.

The numbers were a little "bendy", so i used the average 50mA step (= 66.40mW => 1.328mW per mA) and some calculations to extrapolate down to the bottom of the graph, and up to 400mA.

Here is the diode alone:

My calculations using the averages (to eliminate the bendyness) seemed to suggest a 31mA Ith, but i had to modify the graph a little visually, to get it looking right, and here it seems like it's closer to 35mA, but it's hard to say exactly, due to the bendy line. It must be somewhere in between.

Where exactly it is doesn't really matter in this case, as 31-35mA is well within the range of 8x Ith's.



Here is what i get when i compare it to 8x's further:

The 10x line is fat, so it would stand out from the crowded graph.

What is immediatelly noticable is the very low efficiency compared to most 8x's, but it doesn't stand appart from the group, to say that it's different.

At the start it almost overlaps 8x #1, later it ends up together with 8x #3. Both 8x diodes are the two Murder Candidates, and if the 10x line was straight, it would probably be between the two up to 360mA.


In terms of slope efficiency, this 10x diode is actually lower than 8x #3, and if this graph were to continue beyond 360mA, it would cross, and fall under the 8x #3 line. The reason it is higher for a while at all is, that it has a "head start" (it's Ith is lower).



I also put it into the Po(ptical) vs. Pe(lectrical) plot and this is what i got:

In terms of absolute efficiency, the diode is a bit better than the lowest efficiency 8x, because it has a lower Vf, so for the same amount of electrical power going in, more optical power comes out as can be seen in this graph.

Again it's a part of the group, and doesn't really stand appart in any of it's behavior.



If i had to judge from the PIV data alone, i'd guess it's simply a low efficiency 8x. Unlike the 12x's it does not really stand out by itself.


IF several other 10x's would also display such a low efficiency, or form their own efficiency group around this one (like 12x's do on the high end), we could say they are different. Perhaps the same power rating but another manufacturer? But with one diode it's impossible to distinguish it from the rest of the 8x's based on the available numbers themselves...


I should also add, that the fact that it has a lower efficiency (even if all 10x's would display it) does not necessarily mean it is less powerful than most 8x's. In theory, a higher power diode could have a similar or lower slope efficiency, but be capable of going further. And we already saw that low efficiency 8x's are extremelly tough!



Unless this diode has some different physical markings, it is quite possible the diode is simply identical to 8x's and the low efficiency the result of nothing but chance alone...

In this case, the vibration dampening mechanism / higher efficiency optics for reaching higher writing speeds is a much more likelly explanation than it was with 12x's, which clearly stand out and form their own group above 8x's.



EDIT: If the little x (i thought it was a plus sign at first, but then it would make sense if it was closer to that pin) is the distinguishing characteristic, i'd guess it is a diode of the same power rating but from another manufacturer.

It looks like several members will use it for lasers. For those who have LPMs: Even if you don't fully plot the diode, just the final current setting and power reading would be enough to further compare them to 8x's, and figure out what efficiency group they form.


Any data appreciated, i will try to add it into the group.

 

[daguin]

Thanks IgorT. I should put together a driver that can go to zero, but it is so easy just using the rkcstr

I was just getting over the flu when I tested it. My hand was not as steady as it usually is. It was difficult to get the mA readings precise. Since we were basically only looking to see if it stood out from the 8X's, I didn't worry (or wait until I was completely recovered). It wasn't my diode. I wanted to get it back to its owner.

Physically, the only difference I can see is the little "x" above the corner of the square barcode stamp (see the post on 2-4 and the OP). This may indicate a different manufacturer or different "run." I have not see that little "x" on ANY other 8X's or 12X's and it is on both of the 10X's we have seen.

Peace,
dave

 

[IgorT]

Thanks IgorT. I should put together a driver that can go to zero, but it is so easy just using the rkcstr

I was just getting over the flu when I tested it. My hand was not as steady as it usually is. It was difficult to get the mA readings precise. Since we were basically only looking to see if it stood out from the 8X's, I didn't worry (or wait until I was completely recovered). It wasn't my diode. I wanted to get it back to its owner.

Physically, the only difference I can see is the little "x" above the corner of the square barcode stamp (see the post on 2-4 and the OP). This may indicate a different manufacturer or different "run." I have not see that little "x" on ANY other 8X's or 12X's and it is on both of the 10X's we have seen.

Peace,
dave

The "bendyness" is not really a problem for this comparison, it showed where the diode belongs in terms of efficiency.

What i'm wondering is, you mentioned another 10x. Is it plotted, or at least up and running, measured and at a known current?

I'd love to know what it came to.



P.S. I'll give that "Diode Analyzer" driver i was assembling for you another try this weekend. I have a few Groove drivers left. As you know, the last one didn't even start up when i assembled it (probably bad PCB), but if at least one of them does, you'll have a linearly adjustable driver for your tests, which will go as low as you need... The current changing linearly would help you tune in currents much more easily

 

[daguin]

The "bendyness" is not really a problem for this comparison, it showed where the diode belongs in terms of efficiency.

What i'm wondering is, you mentioned another 10x. Is it plotted, or at least up and running, measured and at a known current?

I'd love to know what it came to.



P.S. I'll give that "Diode Analyzer" driver i was assembling for you another try this weekend. I have a few Groove drivers left. As you know, the last one didn't even start up when i assembled it (probably bad PCB), but if at least one of them does, you'll have a linearly adjustable driver for your tests, which will go as low as you need... The current changing linearly would help you tune in currents much more easily

The other 10X has not been measured. It is the one in the OP of this thread. Freqjn has it set at 360mA, but he does not have an LPM.

Maybe I'll give him a deal on one

Peace,
dave

 

[Cenobite9]

Hey guys, I just received my LG 10x drive today. I don't have a lens, driver, or spare aixiz module for it yet but those will all be ordered tomorrow. Given the low vf of the tested diode, I'll stick with a flexdrive. Hopefully I'll be able to get this thing togther in a couple weeks to get some numbers out there.

 

[Cenobite9]

On another note, since the drive came with a free blu-ray disc I actually plugged it into a computer and burned some files (22.5 GB worth of MAME ROMs ) to it. Imagine that, an LPF member that actually used their drive for the manufacturer's intended purpose... I think I just comitted laser heresy...

 

[daguin]

On another note, since the drive came with a free blu-ray disc I actually plugged it into a computer and burned some files (22.5 GB worth of MAME ROMs ) to it. Imagine that, an LPF member that actually used their drive for the manufacturer's intended purpose... I think I just comitted laser heresy...

We may have to start a new "ban" thread for you

Peace,
dave

 

[danq]

ummmm... I'm just a simple low-post-count old-timer, but it looks to me like that "x" really is a "+"... or maybe it doesn't matter because either way, it could simply be a result of auto-testing in manufacture, and mean "this one can be pushed" or something like that.

DanQ

 

[daguin]

ummmm... I'm just a simple low-post-count old-timer, but it looks to me like that "x" really is a "+"... or maybe it doesn't matter because either way, it could simply be a result of auto-testing in manufacture, and mean "this one can be pushed" or something like that.

DanQ

It is possible that my head just isn't screwed on straight :tinfoil:

Nice to see you posting.

Peace,
dave