is my 200mw o-like red underpowered?

[davey696]

Hi,
I have recently received my o-like 200mw red old style laser,
The problem is i think it may be faulty. The operation of the laser seems normal but it is hard to burn thing with. When focussed to the tiniest dot possible it doesn't burn wood(natural or sharpied) and take aaagggeess to burn through cd cases(black part)
I have tried to upload photos of unfocussed beam to see if anyone can shed some light on the situation,lol
Thanks in advance for help offered,
Dave

 

[john_lawson]

very hard to just say without an actual meter but if focused at say 6 inches away to a pinpoint wood should smoke up a storm

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Sounds like a dud.

 

[davey696]

thanks ,
It does smoke wood just not very well and only if its sharpied even with dark wood it still needs sharpie to smoke it, I know it is very hard without a meter thats why i included the pics. I have read some people diagnosing faults from pics like that so i was hoping someone might tell me its the lens of a fault or its just fine the way it is.
Dave

-edit- and Tech_junkie does it look like a dud?

 

[Tech_Junkie]

It should burn when focused correctly. If its not, it may be under power.

 

[pHeneX]

Do you got other red lasers or is this your first?
My LOC takes ages to burn a hole through a CD case too...
Maybe you just think its underspec since you cant compare with any other red laser.

Peace

 

[davey696]

that is exactly my problem phenex, i have no other laser to compare it to.
I reckon it's probably fine just me expecting it to Obliterate things. Looks like i will be investing again soon lol,
Cheers for your thoughts,
Dave

 

[pHeneX]

If you're looking for burning power try blu-ray & 405-G-1 lens or even IR.
If you're looking for beam visibility try any 532nm laser.

Peace

 

[hxdrummerxc]

I also just got the o-like 200mW red laser.

Mine easily burns/smokes wood, depending on what type. It wont burn the wood on the stick of a match.... but I was able to burn my desk, my kitchen table, and a sheet of wood in the garage.

One thing that I noticed with mine is that it doesn't light matches as quick as some of the 200mW reds that I have seen online. I have to be within 6-10 inches to light a match. If I stay back 4-5 feet and focus it, it doesn't do anything. It Could be the type of matches that I have though.... im not sure.

On the other hand, it lights a fuse in an instant. I lit up a fire cracker from a good four feet away in less than a second.

 

[davey696]

thanks,
That sounds exactly the same as mine although i haven't had the pleasure of lighting a firework yet i have found quite a few things that burn/smoke well.
It even lights my pipe which is cool.
I might look at investing in a decent lense and also build a more powerfull laser.
cheers again,
Dave