Hi, I'm Ian, I decided to make an account here after reading for a few days.
I got into laser pointers after getting 532 nm and and 405 nm Ebay lasers, both of which are now dead (surprise).
Um, what do I say about myself? I'm fluent in English and Mandarin, and I like making stuff. I lived for the first half of my life in Singapore and Malaysia.
I'm considering buying either a SanWu 304 or assembling a BDR-209 405 nm with a Survival host—though I hear that a class four laser like that is too dangerous for a beginner build.... I really want a 405 nm that I can use for astronomy and/or messing around with fluorescent materials with . I know it's barely visible, I just love the color. Maybe an RB:M laser would be safer. :thinking:
I was wondering how voltage plays into the power of the laser ... because of W = V · A at a constant current more voltage should increase the power, right? So could I install a, say, ~500 mA driver and just use a weak battery to keep that BDR-209 at fairly low power? I would expect a guide on driver voltage and current to be stickied, but I couldn't find one in the search.
Oh, and what OD of eyewear do I need for either laser? The online tool by Laser Institute of America says OD 3 for 1 W and OD 2 for 100 mW 405 nm lasers ... is that accurate?
Thanks!
I got into laser pointers after getting 532 nm and and 405 nm Ebay lasers, both of which are now dead (surprise).
Um, what do I say about myself? I'm fluent in English and Mandarin, and I like making stuff. I lived for the first half of my life in Singapore and Malaysia.
I'm considering buying either a SanWu 304 or assembling a BDR-209 405 nm with a Survival host—though I hear that a class four laser like that is too dangerous for a beginner build.... I really want a 405 nm that I can use for astronomy and/or messing around with fluorescent materials with . I know it's barely visible, I just love the color. Maybe an RB:M laser would be safer. :thinking:
I was wondering how voltage plays into the power of the laser ... because of W = V · A at a constant current more voltage should increase the power, right? So could I install a, say, ~500 mA driver and just use a weak battery to keep that BDR-209 at fairly low power? I would expect a guide on driver voltage and current to be stickied, but I couldn't find one in the search.
Oh, and what OD of eyewear do I need for either laser? The online tool by Laser Institute of America says OD 3 for 1 W and OD 2 for 100 mW 405 nm lasers ... is that accurate?
Thanks!
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