Mini-review 50mW Green module from Fasttech

[Pman]

Well upon last check the first shipment with 5 modules in it says it has been processed through Bethpage NY which is strange as they have never gone there before. That is a place where something shipped from overseas would go to be processed. Every shipment I've received from Fasttech has gone to California and then Rochester (my location) for a day and out for delivery the next day.
I think Fasttech is the only place that my orders go to Califronia first for whatever reason which takes much longer to get to me.
Very slight chance I would get them by Saturday.
USPS and international first class seems to be more like parcel post once it hits the west coast.
My second shipment has been sitting in SanFran for 6 days and still hasn't gone through the next processing, a departure, another processing and another departure to head to NY.
3rd shipment shows the same status as the second and just arrived today.
I imagine huge bins where international mail is tossed and they only pull some out to process at the end of the day if there's time.

I know there are many awaiting the tested results but there's nothing I can do until they arrive. Will say that if they come with a pot on the board it's a good sign.

 

[BowtieGuy]

The 50mw green modules may not be available at Fasttech right now, but Wallbuys has a 200mW green module on sale for $18.00 ea. Not sure what it really outputs, but it's worth looking into.
I just ordered two of them. Not a bad price at even half the stated power.
The Wallbuys sale is in the "deals and discounts" section.
Click on the buy now on the SD-100 200mW module, It will come up as costing $26.35, go to the top of the page, under deals, then group buy. The SD-100 will come up at the $18.00 sale price.
Who knows, maybe these will be overspec also.
Don't know how long they will have them at this price, and, they may go the way of the Fasttech modules!

 

[IsaacT]

That is awesome! Do you know where Wallbuys ships from?

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[BowtieGuy]

As far as I know, China.

 

[IsaacT]

Now...the fasttech modules had big resistors on them....these don't seem to have any. Is this indicative of some bad driver setup? Just don't want to blow 18 dollars for nothing.

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[jaws2002]

I ordered one of those 200mw modules from wallbuys, Ill put it on the meter when it gets here and report back.

 

[Pman]

Interesting that under description it says
Material: Copper
Wavelength: 532nm / Green
for the spring one and
Material: Copper
Wavelength: 532nm / Purple
for the wired one.
Brass must be the new copper and 532nm the new purple
You could always buy the 2000mw 532nm laser for $150
If you purchase one of these I would suggest getting the one with the spring as it is easy enough to solder wires on if needed and then you will have an extra spring that you can use for something else.

Hard not to be skeptical on these modules when they obviously are a reseller who hasn't a clue. Then again, may turn out to be a great find. Appreciate others jumping in who can test and report for the rest of us. We need to know how much is IR also. An OK 532nm module will generally have <20% IR and be much more stable than most overspec 532nm pens from what I've seen myself and others consistently test with the same modules.
The Fasttech (50mw) were somewhere around 10% in most cases, met or way exceeded spec, were inexpensive and came from a company with good support. That's a win, win, win, win combination that's awful hard to find.

I was thinking the same thing about the resistor Isaac but don't have a clue either. You sold Galadrial?:cryyy: Hope that means you are going to get a more powerful one in the future. Keep hoping the prices are going to significantly drop on at least the 589nm before I take the plunge. Would really like one that tips 100mw but don't want to sell the house to get one. Not finding any $100 bills in my couches or chairs.

I just checked on my 3 orders from Fasttech and have given up trying to figure out the USPS madness.
The first order with the 5mw 532nm modules shows still in Bethpage NY, the second order that has (3) 532nm 5V modules and (1) 5mw 3V 405nm module suddenly shows up in Rochester and will likely be delivered today. So, the second order that I placed a day after the first order is going to arrive first. I'll report my findings after work if they arrive although not many are interested in 5V modules and the 405nm module.
The 5V module allows you to run a 3 alkaline (undervoltage though) or lithium (meets voltage) setup like many lights or hosts have or you can make a long pen (just add an extra battery section or put one in a 3 aaa long maglite that you don't want to use anymore as a flashlight like me). It's also likely that the 5V module can accept a couple of 3V RCR 123A (have a bunch for my Spartan) or regular CR123a (have a ton of them). Can't help experimenting with stuff like this when I have all these things just sitting around not being used.
Like to think out of the box a bit.
Remember, all the modules I'm waiting on were half the cost of the 50mw ones. If they are "duds" I can still use them in the future for other projects such as a spyro or make a relatively safe pen to give away.

For anyone interested, I plan on doing an official tutorial on how to make your way overspec 405/532/650 pen focusable for almost no $ this weekend. Have been inundated with requests to do it and I have no 3 day weekend plans to go anywhere. It takes too much time to keep walking people through the procedure. Pics and in depth descriptions will be provided. No lunch though

 

[IsaacT]

That was a veritable novel, my good sir. And yes, I did sell her, but I didn't really want to. The member who purchased my 445 also asked about that laser. I said I didn't really want to sell it but might let it go for 300. Unfortunately for my wavelength collection, they agreed to that. So I played with it a bunch that night and shipped it out the next day. That's actually why I ended up creating the "Wannaburnstuff's Compendium of Review/Build Threads". You can see them in my sig I may have let a precious laser go, but I will always have the pictures.

In regards to the modules, I think I shall buy one or two. It is only a three day sale, I should hate to regret not buying more.

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[awillis2589]

well bowtieguy if you need those metered after they come in i'm only 1 day shipping away and could meter it then send it back!

 

[Pman]

Quick update. Got the 3 532nm 5V modules and 1 405nm module. Will report shortly.

Fasttech has added a few lasers. I will be buying 2 of the AA ones to test as I have been looking for AA units (SD-280). The sticker says <5mw class 3b

I'll also post some pics of the modules but for now, the 405 tests at 87mw. No plans at the moment to mess with the pot.

The 3 5V 532nm modules test at 32, 50 and 67mw. What's really interesting is I tested on a variable DC power supply and the modules output doesn't change from 5.5V down to 2.5V before output starts to drop so they must be rated for 5V if you wanted to run them that high but waste a lot of energy as heat. In other words, they run like a regular 3V module. The other big thing is that I tested the 50mw one for IR as it had the most consistent output and only 4mw was IR which is great. Put that one into a host I had ready to go and I can just see the beam in a bright room.

I will mess with the pot only on the 32mw unit. IF it breaks, it breaks.

Pics of modules are coming soon.

Hope you didn't sell the name with it Isaac!

These first 3 are of the 532nm module

These are of the 405nm module. Notice the big glob of glue and how bent it ended up (came this way).

532nm modules in hosts.

Looks like the module isn't centered but it's an illusion. Module is perfectly centered.

I will mess with the pot of the last 532nm tomorrow and report.

 

[BowtieGuy]

well bowtieguy if you need those metered after they come in i'm only 1 day shipping away and could meter it then send it back!

Thanks for the metering offer. :beer: You must have been reading my mind, I was seriously considering asking you about that!

With this being a new source, a power check and IR value would be welcomed.

Hopefully,they won't arrive DOA. :cryyy:

 

[awillis2589]

Yeah I was a little bit! You could write a review of what you observed then I can reserve the second post with my findings!

 

[IsaacT]

I'm gonna purchase 2 tonight and when they get here in a few weeks I will measure them if my meter hasn't sold yet.

 

[Laik]

Thanks for this Pman :beer: That violet module looks crappy. I hope they last a while, they don't look like they will.

 

[IsaacT]

Well...just PM'd dave about buying one of his Scientech LPM's so if that works out it won't matter if my laserbee sells or not.

 

[Laik]

Do anyone's modules have terrible divergence?