Tiny Trustfire RED - Pocket 499mW 635nm

[rhd]

This was a fun Friday project. I thought I'd share some photos.

It's a tiny Trustfire host. It was initially meant for a single-CR123, but once built with driver+diode+heatsink, it became a CR2 3.7V host instead. I built it with a Mosquito Red 1A driver, acrylic RED coated lens (which in my testing has been beating the RED coated glass 3-element lenses power wise), and a custom focus knob from Moh.

I can't tell you how many times I tried re-LPMing this in hopes of breaking the "499mW" mark. Not once did it hit 500 - I swear it was taunting me That's the build, and it was a fun one. I'm really starting to like these 635s.

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

refrigerator it

Nice little build

 

[mpwn]

super nice build especially for a 635nm!

 

[LuxorLasers147]

Nice job! Not a fan of that particular host but it sure fits loose in your pocket
What was the power with the red glass lens?

 

[rhd]

I'm seeing like 10% lower power from RED coated 3-element lenses.

I was initially concerned with acrylic melting, but I've pretty extensively tested them, and they don't. In order to melt the acrylic lenses, you have to be running the diodes with the lenses inappropriately focused quite far from the diode. I can't think of any reason that I'd ever do that - so acrylic is my lens of choice for the moment. I like the dot aesthetics better than a G1.

 

[LuxorLasers147]

If i remeber well, with the acrylic red there were some wings next to the dot i think and with the glass lens the dot was cleaner.. am i right?

 

[Smeerworst]

Nice laser rhd

It's nice and small, and powerfull.

Cheers, Smeerworst.

 

[rhd]

The wings with an acrylic aren't bad actually - it's a cleaner dot than a G1, for sure.. I've put my glass lenses away, so I can't give you a good comparison to those at the moment.

 

[Milos]

hi rhd,
Nice lasrer. Can you tell us if this is Mitsubishi diode DTR sells, and what current setting you have for 499mW?
Also, can you describe projected dot (or should i say square) ore even better post a photo of it at X distance. What size of the "dot" can you achieve at lets say 20-30 feet

thanks

 

[rhd]

Hey,

These are DTRs diodes. Well - they're the same ones, and probably the actual ones I purchased from DTR. I bought a few from Rayfoss early on, so I'm not sure which are which.

It's a square dot, that depending on focus can become a thin line instead. At 20 feet, the square is around 2 inches by 2 inches with the Acrylic RED lens, and maybe 3 inches by 3 inches if you use a G1.

 

[Milos]

aha, thank you for description.
cheers

 

[snoutke]

Looks like a very nice little laser.

What are the burnig capabilities of such laser?

 

[rhd]

Looks like a very nice little laser.

What are the burnig capabilities of such laser?

I'm not big on burning things (intentionally), so I can't tell you from experience.

That said, it should be essentially the same as a 445nm diode running at 0.5W. IE, 500mW is 500mW, with a few exceptions:

1) Lower wavelengths (405, 445) may be absorbed better by more materials, all else being equal
2) A single mode diode (high powered 405) may give you a more precise dot, if precision is necessary

 

[jimdt7]

Cute little laser !
Love 635nm !
:gj:

 

[rhd]

refrigerator it

Nice little build

Strangely enough, this actually worked.

But - to be fair, I think I need to keep the "499mW" title intact. Most people don't story their lasers in a refrigerator

 

[Milos]

can we see the beam in the distance? Like against the night sky or something. I'm really curious how much it sticks out comparing to lets say 250mW 660nm or any 445nm laser.

thanks