Survival laser (445 nm, 1000-1300 mW) Review (PIC HEAVY)

[Garoq]

Well in my case the solder blob didn't help. I don't know why, but mine just won't run from a single 3.6v source. No big deal though, I was just wanting to lower the power to make it a little "safer" for indoor use.

Word of advice, if you are going to try to place a blob of solder on the end of a battery, I highly recommend that you put some flux on the battery first and then keep building up the solder on the end of your iron until it drips of (at a very close range) to the top of the battery. You may need to apply some heat to the battery as well to get it to adhere well.

The 18650 needs to be fully charged to work. I don't know what the exact cutoff is, but I noticed that the power falls off significantly as the battery voltage drops. I presume that at some reduced voltage the diode will stop lasing completely.

And yes the best results will be with the button top 18650s, the flat top cells won't make reliable contact with the driver board.

 

[jcranmer]

The 18650 needs to be fully charged to work. I don't know what the exact cutoff is, but I noticed that the power falls off significantly as the battery voltage drops. I presume that at some reduced voltage the diode will stop lasing completely.

And yes the best results will be with the button top 18650s, the flat top cells won't make reliable contact with the driver board.

I know it should be obvious, but that was the issue. The batteries were only slightly low. 4.13 instead 4.16. At 4.13 it won't lase, but at 4.16 it will! And the soldier button does wonders for the connections.

Thanks Gary for putting me on the right track! I now have a low power survival laser.

 

[Nocturne]

Ok, thats kinda strange... It's really handy when it's about 150-200 mW. Ok thanks for the advice!

Here's a new video of my home-made liquid sky. I made 3 diferent paterns (cd's). And each patern gives 3 effects (green, blue and green and blue). Enjoy the video!


Added this video and the white paper burning to the begin post.

I am enjoying these videos.

 

[blue bumblebee]

always wondered about 1W blue lasers
according to THIS: Beam: (445nm 1300mw) vs. (532nm 100mw)
the 1W blue should have a less visible beam then the 100mw green
but if you look at the pics and vids this is obviously not the case (as well as many other high powered 445's)
my friend just recently got a 1.2W tactical 445 from o-like
and i would just like this explained a bit more?
thanks

 

[jaspernl]

I can't give you an explanation for this. Maybe Garoq or someone can? All i know is that my green laser might not be 100 mw. It probably was when I bought it, but after 5 years i guess it might dropt in output power. Unfortunately i don't have an lpm to measure it.
Also i don't know how reliable that site is but in my experience blue is much! brighter than green when you talking about 1w blue.

 

[LaZeRz]

That liquid sky is awesome! Goodjob! i might have to try something like that one day

 

[Garoq]

I have a ~100mW green (measured on my LPM) and the beam is not as visible to me as that from a >1W 445nm blue. Maybe because the blue beam is FATTER??

 

[fonzeka]

Thanks for the nice review, think I need to order one of those kits