Sci-Fi 1 watt 635 Arcane

[Davidx]

Disclaimer:
I'm not calling this a review, because it's not technical enough, plus my beam shots suck.

I recently wanted a powerful red laser, so I contacted Eitan. ( value for your dollar, he can't be beat. ) I think he must have a diode tree.
Had never seen the Arcane host before. I was pleasantly surprised at what a beast it is. Built like a tank. Like everything I've bought from him, it worked great. Hand built by a man that takes pride in his work. Very powerful, with a very bright beam. My beam shots don't come out well where I live. Lot of light pollution, and it's a full moon,but trust me. It's impressive. I like the color the 635 puts out. Red with an orange tinge to it. Burns through plastic CD cases like a hot knife through butter
Eitans incredibly patient as anyone who's dealt with him knows. Polite, cool, promptly answers emails. Puts up with impatient jerks. ( cough, cough ).
A great product at an amazing price.
I'm delighted with it.

 

[Gabe]

Nice half-dumbbell you got there! -oh, thats a laser?! Heh, good lookin host. Does the divergence on those bother you at all? How noticeable is it when pointing into the sky?

 

[Davidx]

Nice half-dumbbell you got there! -oh, thats a laser?! Heh, good lookin host. Does the divergence on those bother you at all? How noticeable is it when pointing into the sky?

I forgot to mention the divergence in my mini review. I have two 635's. One that's 245mw from Laserbtb and now this one. I haven't seen the dot from every WL out there, but to me, the 635 is the weirdest ( ok, worst ) out there. Oblong, with big lines on either side. I knew about it before I ordered the second, or I would have freaked out. The beam itself is't half bad. I can get it pretty narrow. Strange thing is, if I rotate it when it's the most narrow, it gets a little bit wider. Almost like it gets flat, if you know what I mean. I'm happy with the beam.
Because I knew what to expect with the dot, I'm happy. When I ordered it,I told Eitan I knew about the divergence already, and wouldn't email him with my hair on fire.

 

[Gabe]

Okay that's not as bad as I imagined, I thought it would be just a disgusting divergent line, at least it's somewhat oval No mode hopping, correct?

 

[trussmonkey25]

Actually that is a better picture of the Arcane than the ones on the site. How does it feel in your hand?

 

[Davidx]

Okay that's not as bad as I imagined, I thought it would be just a disgusting divergent line, at least it's somewhat oval No mode hopping, correct?

I'd say it's a nice tight rectangular oval, with a prominent line running through it.
Haven't noticed any mode hoping. Possibly a small amount at start up

Trussmonkey : it feels nice and solid in my hand. Like a fine quality handgun.

 

[Davidx]

Okay that's not as bad as I imagined, I thought it would be just a disgusting divergent line, at least it's somewhat oval No mode hopping, correct?

I'd say it's a nice tight rectangular oval, with a prominent line running through it.
Haven't noticed any mode hoping. Possibly a small amount at start up

Trussmonkey : it feels nice and solid in my hand. Like a fine quality handgun.
Thanks for the compliment on the photo.

 

[Pman]

Solid host with a nice diode. 3-elements are your friend. Most of my lasers with other lenses have been swapped over for 3-elements for the reasons you state. It's not like the lenses are really expensive and you can always through a G back in it

 

[RedCowboy]

Those are good looking housings, and the side switch is handy.
I also prefer the 3 element for the far field, even though the G2 is a better quality lens the focal length is around 2mm while the 3 element even though it clips the edges of the aggressive axis has a focal length of around 4mm giving a tighter far field focus.
As diodes get more powerful and likely more divergent, a wider housing and lens would yield a wider initial beam but a tighter far field focal point.
I have also read 2.39mmFL for the G2 and 5.3mm for the 3 element.
At any rate its about double and your spot size at a given distance other than up close will generally be double, that is twice as wide and twice as long for about 1/4 the energy density.
As LD's evolve beam shaping optics are becoming necessary and a pair of lenses will be need to set line width and divergence.
The easiest way for off the shelf single lenses to produce useable results will be to start wider unless diodes have FAC lenses attached, at any rate the divergence issue is almost certain to grow and in the near future just using a single lens it may be difficult to produce anything resembling a beam.

 

[Davidx]

Those are good looking housings, and the side switch is handy.
I also prefer the 3 element for the far field, even though the G2 is a better quality lens the focal length is around 2mm while the 3 element even though it clips the edges of the aggressive axis has a focal length of around 4mm giving a tighter far field focus.
As diodes get more powerful and likely more divergent, a wider housing and lens would yield a wider initial beam but a tighter far field focal point.
I have also read 2.39mmFL for the G2 and 5.3mm for the 3 element.
At any rate its about double and your spot size at a given distance other than up close will generally be double, that is twice as wide and twice as long for about 1/4 the energy density.
As LD's evolve beam shaping optics are becoming necessary and a pair of lenses will be need to set line width and divergence.
The easiest way for off the shelf single lenses to produce useable results will be to start wider unless diodes have FAC lenses attached, at any rate the divergence issue is almost certain to grow and in the near future just using a single lens it may be difficult to produce anything resembling a beam.

Thanks for the tips Cowboy. I should order a 3 element lens. I'll call our buddy at DTR. No sense being a cheapskate, Lordy knows I spend enough on lasers.