Lens Preference?

[IsaacT]

So I am wondering what everyone's preferred lens is. I have a number of Aixiz Glass lenses for red and blue, but trying to decide which lens to get for LPMing and stuff.

I will put in the polls the ones I know.

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[scumbagatheist]

Thanks for the poll! While we are on the topic, I've not yet heard much detail about the new LFL G-2 lens. I would like to know more.

 

[IsaacT]

As would I (part of the reason I started this). I just built my 445, ill be making a multimedia thread soon, and I am trying to decide which lens will be the best for me if I want to switch it back and forth between my 445 and my 638. Still can't figure out what is up with my 638...maybe just really inefficient diode.

 

[scumbagatheist]

Oh, let's hope that is not the case. What's your output?

 

[IsaacT]

460mW w/ 3-element Lens @1050mA. Seems extraordinarily low.

 

[scumbagatheist]

Wow! I thought those were capable of 1W. Is this the case? What kind of output did you expect?

 

[ARG]

Voted glass. I'll take a nicer beam over more power any day

 

[scumbagatheist]

I'm with you, ARG. I even prefer the acrylic on my PL520 over my G-2. No matter how much I clean it, there's some kind of light artifacts coming off the dot. Never with my glass or acrylics.

 

[daguin]

3-element glass for myself
G-2 to impress the public

Peace,
dave

 

[RA_pierce]

G-9 for 9mm 445nm diodes.
G-1 for everything else.

The G-2 should be almost identical in power and beam characteristics, right?

The thinner beam and more "natural" appearance of the beam profile with the G-1 is better than the cropped, fat beam, from the 3-elements (IMO). Plus the power loss sucks. When I make a laser, I want to give it the least power in and get the most power out.
Also, the divergence with the G-1 lens on a single mode diode is still MUCH better than most DPSS lasers. The 3-element is a bit better when it comes to divergence but not by much.

 

[IsaacT]

Is there any difference at all between the G1 and the G2? G2 seems to have some sort of broadband coating since DTR quotes it as working for 405,445, and 635.

 

[norbyx]

Interesting thread ..... Just subscribed

 

[RA_pierce]

Is there any difference at all between the G1 and the G2? G2 seems to have some sort of broadband coating since DTR quotes it as working for 405,445, and 635.

Broadband coatings have the advantage of being useful for a wide range of wavelengths but a coating for a narrow band of wavelengths or one specific wavelength can have a higher % transmission... but only at the specified wavelength(s). Generally.

I think that the optical design and materials for the G-1 and G-2 lenses are similar if not the same. IIRC the G-1 and G-2 are almost identical in output as well... I think within 1-2% of each other... I'd have to read through the threads again but it's bed time for now.

 

[ryansoh3]

Is the reason the 3-element glass lenses have nicer beam profiles is because they clip the sides of the multi-mode line to make it more circular?

 

[IsaacT]

I believe soh, ryansoh!

 

[ryansoh3]

I believe soh, ryansoh!

LOL, thanks man. :crackup: