My iPhone comparison: PL520 @ 100mW vs 100mW 532nm Fastech Module

[scumbagatheist]

Here you are....the PL520 is the one on the left in both shots. Now, I just have to wait for the sun to go down...

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks for the upload SBA. Interesting shot. The PL520 maybe looks a little brighter in the light but the night shot looks the same. What's your impression first hand. Do you have a preference now that you have them both in hand?

 

[scumbagatheist]

The phone isn't ideal for a comparison. Basically, the 520 is ~5% more blue (subjectively, from a photoshop professional) than the 532. To my eye, the brightness between the two is virtually identical. I will try to take a shot through goggles to see if that shows a difference.

I cannot decide a preference in regards to color. I do like both. The tight beam on the 532s is always pleasant. But, they have their temp problems, their very fragile. I think the PL520 is going to prove itself to be a sturdy, competent diode for our kind of punishment. It also is single mode, with a very nice dot and no need for an expensive lens. I think ultimately, it may replace the cheap 532s for our higher end builds, while the kids play w/ their $10 pointers.

 

[DJNY]

Wouldn´t push these diodes too high. You´re getting a wavelength shift up to 530nm due to high current (and temperature) :beer:

 

[Lazerbeak]

I think ultimately, it may replace the cheap 532s for our higher end builds, while the kids play w/ their $10 pointers.

Lol. Sounds like the diodes are the way to go. :thanks:

 

[scumbagatheist]

Wouldn´t push these diodes too high. You´re getting a wavelength shift up to 530nm due to high current (and temperature) :beer:

I do not have a spectrometer to measure actual wavelength outputs, but there is a noticeable difference to the eye. I doubt seriously, based on the tests conducted in the murder thread, that this diode in a massive heatsink, running less than 1 minute, and driven at DTR's "recommended" current input is going to have any kind of impact on the wavelength of this diode.

Referenced: http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/gb-pl520-murder-fund-81496.html

 

[DJNY]

According to the graph created by ARG the current has a huge (10nm) impact on the wavelenght. Or did I misunderstood something?

Personally I would be just interested to get the biggest difference next to 532nm as possible.

 

[bloompyle]

I can actually only see the difference with my phone. Barely notice it in person.

 

[scumbagatheist]

According to the graph created by ARG the current has a huge (10nm) impact on the wavelenght. Or did I misunderstood something?

Personally I would be just interested to get the biggest difference next to 532nm as possible.

I think you did misunderstand something. My diode is being driven @ 300mA, per DTR. If you look at the wavelength graph by ARG, and look in the middle of the 200mA range and 400mA range, then notice the two data points, you will see that one diode reads right @ ~520nm, the other is closer to ~521nm. This is NOT a significant difference, and shows a slight difference in characteristics between diodes.

Again, it is not as apparent in my iPhone's photo, but by eye, there is a visible difference between the two, and by my extensive experience in color theory, I would put it at somewhere ~ 5% more blue for the PL520. But, that is a subjective evaluation.

While these WILL shift at high currents and higher temperatures, there is no evidence to support your theory that mine is running anywhere near 530nm.

Perhaps the guy who measures it on Sunday will have a spectrometer.

 

[scumbagatheist]

So, I took some beamshots outdoors tonight. I didn't post them here because it's very difficult to see a difference with my iPhone. I REALLY need to get my Cannon into the shop!