newbie here. can anyone help with my green laser.

[GREENLASERBOY]

o.k i bought this green laser pionter from slksuperstore.com

its supposed to be 200mw - 532nm

and was advertised to be seen in the day time, light matches and cigarettes, and pop baloons.


mine cant do neither of these... as i expected it wouldnt.


i paid $50 for it including shipping.


only reason because it was in a case that looked easy to modify and switch the laser module if i need to with ease.. its all unscrew-able parts...


i am pretty upset at this because i would have love to light a smoke with it at a party of bbq, but i really really wanted it to use for star gazing with my wife and kids.


is there any way to tell what the real mw this is putting out and why its so weak..?


and i was going to get the 200mw laser module from here. if anybody can verify this is a good one..

DealExtreme: $46.81 200mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm)




and also is there anything to do my module to improve it at all..?

i can get pics if needed..

thanks guys for your help and for having such a cool and interesting forum..

 

[Benm]

If you can replace the module, i'd recommend getting one from o-like or a similar company that specifies a minimum output level.

The DX modules are bit of a gamble really, some perform close to stated output power, while others dont make it to half. If you want to avoid further disappointment, get a module from a company that guarantees a minimum power level in addition to a typical value.

You should be looking for a 200 mW typical module, with a guaranteed output power level of 150 mW or more.

 

[Kevlar]

The only real way to tell what the real mW is by using a LPM (Laser Power Meter) laserbee or a kenometer are two of the most common hobbyist meters I can think of right now buy I know a couple of other member sell them, just have to do some searching.

There are also a couple of thread on how to make your own LPM fairly cheap.

AFAIK, DX will not ship anything >5mW to the U.S. Maybe that is just complete lasers and not modules, not entirely sure.

 

[GREENLASERBOY]

thanks for the advice guys..

whats the website for this compnay o like.. and whats a good 200mw module from them..



and dx will ship just a module.. anyone can ship just a module..

not a full working laser above 5mw i was reading..

 

[Kevlar]

Here is the link for O-like.

O-Like