Red laser problem

[nvmextc]

I've had a few diodes and most of them output like this. I was wondering if it was normal. I know it's not the lens because when I twist it the line stays stationary. The beam looks fine and they burn fine, but the dot makes this strange pattern. Ignore the bright dot below the main one, it was reflection in the camera.
The diodes are SLD123VL's the old Senkat one's that were the "good batch"
They are running about 220ma.
Anyone seen this before?

 

[jayrob]

That line through the middle is normal for the reds. I see it on the Sony/Senkat, as well as the open cans...
Jay

 

[chido]

That's normal, people used to ask about this all the time back then. (sigh, good times good times) ;D

 

[Zom-B]

I use this red line for quick collimation. When the line has roughly the same thickness as the lens diameter, at 3m (10ft), then it's almost certainly below 2mRad. It takes some practice to get it right but you can get it at <1mRad this way in 5 secs.