Looking to buy from DX, please advise.

[dnar]

Hi Everyone.

I am getting bored with my 10mW 532nm now, so looking for something more powerfull to accompany my light show experiments. Due to the restrictions in Aus with pointers, I am thinking of the following modules:

1. Genuine New Wish 5V Green Stage Laser Module (50mW/100mW)

2. Genuine New Wish 5V Red Stage Laser Module (100mW)

3. 100mW Red Laser Module (5V Input)

4. 50mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm)

5. 200mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm)

Does anyone have anything negative to comment on any of these modules?

I should have no issue with delivery to Australia as they are not pointers, right?

Any advise/recommendations welcomed.

Thank you for your time. :beer:

 

[Prototype]

Besides #3 & #5, everything is sold out, and #4 leads to a blank page. #3 is a good deal for the driver and module, and if the laser actually does 100mW, it's even better. :thinking:

 

[dnar]

Sorry. When I added an emoticon, it appeared in the URL. Fixed.

Yeah, I know some are sold out, but I am thinking of getting what they have in stock and/or waiting for more stock.

To me, these appear like good deals, I just wanted to check if they were too good to be true...

Thanks for your advise.

 

[Prototype]

Usually, with DX, sold out means gone forever, unfortunately. And with the 12mm modules (#3 & #4), they're usually okay, not near the rated power, but people have gotten like 150mW or more from the 200mW rated one, which is a steal.

 

[dnar]

Ok, noted. I will be happy if it is 100-150mW.

Thanks.

 

[dnar]

Ok, ordered #3,4&5 plus 532 goggles and a bunch of $10 10mW reds.

I'll post the results of the 200mW 532nm when it arrives.

Has the post man been yet? Let me check again...

 

[goninanbl00d]

Mate, I know how that feels.

It's been 9 days and I'm losing sleep over my greenie, in part because it's meant to arrive any day.

Maybe because this is my first real laser. Sad, yes, but what can I do? I've never even owned a green 5mW

 

[dnar]

Was that a knock on the door?

 

[goninanbl00d]

*gngngngngn*

Shouldn't be long now.

 

[charliebruce]

I have one of the "200mW" modules, it operates at around 150mW peak after a warm-up time. Beam spec is reasonable but (unless I glued it badly) the beam exits slightly non-straight. My switch failed but was easy to replace. Your mileage may vary.

 

[roddenberry]

The quality of DX green modules is fair to good at best. I have a few, they work, but I'm always a bit unsettled by the fact that when you shake them a bit, they rattle like maracas!

I have used a 50mW module for over 6 months of testing and adjusting in a RGB project and it still works and it's still stable. The crystals are not very big so you need a lot of ventilation to keep the module at a temperature where the crystal won't "burn out".

The labby modules you described are unfortunately sold out. I have the red 100 mW and it does the job, although the beam isn't very tight.

Shipping from DX can take anything from 12 days to a whole month (it happened to me a few times).

Robert

 

[dnar]

18 days later and they have arrived, except the 100mW red which has just shipped.

I'll let you guys know how the 200mW 532 looks once I fire it up tonight.

PS. I look like Ali-G with the goggles on!

Respect!

PSS. DX now state they won't ship anything >1mW to Australia! The funny thing is, my package listed the contents and it got through customs...

 

[goninanbl00d]

Thankfully, Customs don't care about parts.

When my module arrived it was also listed as a 50mW OEM laser.

Can't wait for some beamshots!

 

[dnar]

The funny thing is, the packaging listed all the modules as pointers! I wonder if the listed "laser safety goggles" convinced them I was responsible? Or do they not check every package?

Simple question, considering I do not have access to a LPM, is there any simple way to approximate the output power of a 532 laser?

 

[goninanbl00d]

Well, the packages were probably opened at some stage, or at the very least X-Rayed.

Customs guy 1: "Hey, look, laser pointers!"
Customs guy 2: "Don't give me that bullsh*t, it's got wires hanging off it"
Customs guy 1: "Let's open the goggles instead"
Customs guy 2: "Hey, look at the funny colours!"
Customs guy 3: "Are you two feeling alright?"

Customs might be incompetent, but they'd realise a piece of brass with two wires and a bit of circuit board hanging off it is in no way a pointer.

There's several tests you can do, including burning things such as leather, balloons, plastic and mousepads. You can also try gauging the brightness of the beam against the night sky.

Does it light a match? Then it's at least 100mW.

 

[dnar]

Well, I am surprised by this 200mW DPSS module for <$50.

Current @ 3.00V @ 20c = 700mA! Way above the 250mA they advertised. Now my regulator is getting hot! I could not imagine running this on batteries...

Beam is not perfectly focused, the end cap has a couple of small holes that look like a tool could open it (or focus?). I tried to open this, but it is either done up very tight or locktighted.

Lights a match!!! Wow!

The 50mW unit look identical, so I will fire him up later.

The 40mW focusable red is awesome too.