laser diode confusion

[robjdixon]

what would be the best diode for me to buy?

One from this shop (not in dvd burner) :
http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=180

One from this dvd burner :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samsung-SH-S2...oryZ3754QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

One from the phazor groupbuy?

Please help as i'm ery confused.

Also what is an open can diode?

 

[chido]

I would wait before buying from stonetek until it's clear that SenKat is selling the good diodes again.
So get a DVD burner for now, a 20x will be great, but DO NOT GET THAT SAMSUNG. They have some weird diodes inside of them:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1195541380
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1200364161/15/#21
Get anything but the Samsung, these are some good burners for harvesting open cans: LG, Sony, Pioneer 112, Pioneer 115, etc.
If you want to you can also get a phazor from the group buy, it won't be as powerful as an open can, but it's still good.
And an open can is a kind of diode that is missing the little silver colored can, but they're really powerful, they can be pushed to around 300mW with a meredith glass lens. They look like this: