Picked up some 635 lasers off E-Bay.

[jcranmer]

I recently picked up a batch of laser pointers off of e-bay that were being sold as < 5mw 635nm. These are unique (at least to me) lasers that are LARGE and take 2 - C cells.

I really expected them to be 650/660 lasers being mislabeled, but because of the unusual form factor, I decided to take the chance. It looks like it may have paid off.

I have a defraction grating on it's way to me, so I can figure it out for sure soon, but the dot is much more orange then my everyday cat-toy laser that I am sure is a 650.

I'll take some photo's of the lasers later, but for now I wanted to post pictures of the dots to get your comments. I know you really can't tell from an image what the exact wavelength is, but since it's with a normal cheap red, it may at least make a good comparison pic.

I"ll update this thread once I get my dfraction grating and use RHD's tool to compute the actual wavelength.

The dot on the left is from what I think is a 635, the one on the right is from a cheap mouse shaped laser cat toy, that has to be somewhere around 650.

I also forgot to mention the dot on these is rectangular shaped.

If these really turn out to be 635's and there is any interest in them, I may put a few of them up for sale.

Edit: Just got my defraction gratings. Even using RHDs tool, I was all over the place trying to measure them. Unfortunately with 1000 lines / mm, a fraction of a millimeter makes drastic wavelength changes. I did it three different times, the first time I got 642, then, 700+, then hit 635 exactly spot on. In other words I don't trust my ability to measure these. Those waiting on confirmation of wavelength will have to wait a little longer, until Dave gets his to test.

Since I've gotten so much interest in these, I'm starting a list here to keep track of all the requests:

Current Inventory Left:
Class A: 0
Class B: 0
Class C: 0


1) Daquin - paid - delivered (A with case)
2) Fenzer - paid - delivered (B without case)
3) InfinitusEquitas - paid - delivered (A with case)
4) cheech226 - paid - delivered (A with case)
5) cmendoza - paid - shipped (C with case)

 

[HaloBlu]

How many did you pick up?

 

[Helios]

Yeah thats 635nm for sure. The 5mW diodes are not uncommon so I dont think you will need to use a diffraction grating to verify. Got a picture of the hosts?

Weird dot. is it focused to infinity?

 

[jcranmer]

I picked up 8 of them, complete with cases and batteries. I"m going to keep at least 2 and I have plans to give another one to someone at work. So I may have up to 5 to sell.

I got a very good deal on them, but my wife has told me that I need to start making money instead of spending it all around here.

I expect to sell them for ~$20.00 or less, but shipping is going to be expensive. 8 of these things, weighed almost 11lbs.

So once I get things sorted out, I'll post a sales thread. It's going to take a few days though.

It's funny though, I found these because of a sale thread that G Fourty posted for an Ednalite Projection Pointer. (Looks like the post was lost during the most recent crash / restore)

Here is a link to the them, still new on the web. I didn't pay anywhere near that price though. Apparently you can also buy an AC adapter for these that replace the barrel on them.

Ednalite Modular Laser Pointers (635-2C)

These things are HUGE. They are very solid, made from some type of aluminum. They have a hexagon base to keep them from rolling and they do seem to have an threaded adjustable lens in them. The lens are glued in place, sp I haven't messed with them.

 

[benmwv]

They look 635 from the comparison photo, and if you think think it is visible more orangey the I'm sure they are.

Was it just a one time thing or are there more?

Edit: crap sorry, I saw this thread right after you made it and typed that up but forgot to hit post then I went to another tab... Just came back to it realized I didn't post it so I just hit post, didn't even think to refresh first.

Anyways I'm interested to se what wavelength you test them at. I only have one 635 and it always tests at 624-625 even when "warmed up".

 

[Fenzir]

Would you sell them individually by chance?

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Would you sell them individually by chance?

I think thats what he meant.

Rectangle dot might be a multimode diode.

You could us a flat rate shipping box. It would not cost that much to ship to the CONUS. Anything outside that would cost more than you're selling them for.

 

[jcranmer]

Would you sell them individually by chance?

Of course! Although I don't want to turn this into a sales thread. Just consider it a teaser of things to come. :eg:

I'd like to verify the actual wavelength, and figure out what the shipping will actually cost. The manufacturer sells them as 635, but the label on the cases says 635-650nm. I'm certain they aren't 650 as they are oranger then any of my other reds. I also forgot to mention these are case positive as well.

With the plastic case, they are too large for the small priority box. (I might be able to fix them in a medium box)

I'd love to verify the actual power on these, but since they are being commercially sold in the US, I'm going to assume >5mw is pretty close. I still need to buy an LPM.

I have to say I'm actually pretty impressed with these things. When I bought them I thought they were just going to end up being junk. All 8 of them work, although one has a semi-ring around the dot. It looks like the beam is misaligned and may be hitting the sides of the lens or something.

The pics I took don't do the color or the dot justice. The iPhone was too close I think, and the reflected light overloaded the camera. I'll try for better pictures tomorrow, along with some images of the actual laser.

 

[benmwv]

I've found that (with an iPhone 4) the best way to take a picture of a laser dots shape and color is to get really close and turn flash to on.

I guess the camera just doesn't like to adjust the exposure to a laser dot and it overexposes, so when the flash is on and close to the dot the background becomes nearly as bright as the laser so it turns the exposure way down and it comes out as a pretty good pic.

 

[daguin]

I can pay you for one and test the wavelength

Peace,
dave

 

[jcranmer]

I've found that (with an iPhone 4) the best way to take a picture of a laser dots shape and color is to get really close and turn flash to on.

I guess the camera just doesn't like to adjust the exposure to a laser dot and it overexposes, so when the flash is on and close to the dot the background becomes nearly as bright as the laser so it turns the exposure way down and it comes out as a pretty good pic.

That is so conter intuitive. However it seems to work. Here is another image that I used the flash with and played with the contrast. You can really see the dots so much better this way. Thanks for the tip!

I can pay you for one and test the wavelength

Peace,
dave

Thanks Dave. I might just take you up on that, I'd love to know for sure.

James

 

[jcranmer]

Here are the pics of the laser itself. All of them are the same with the exception of the cases. Some of them have other writing on them, and a couple of the cases have some cracks on the bottom.

 

[joeyss]

I'd be interested in one if you can get the WL results and the power on a lpm. Can you test the divergence on it?

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Definitely interested in one. I need to start expanding my wavelengths.

 

[jcranmer]

I think I have more interest in these then I will have for sale.

I will most likely send Dave one first and then go down the list in order after they are confirmed to be 635, unless someone really wants one unconfirmed. I'll go down the list and send PMs with total including shipping.

 

[wolfhunter9154]

When or if you do sell these, I would like one.