Tutorial: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using The White Fusion Kit... from sightfx!

[FireMyLaser]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

If you use the reading lens from the PHR sled on the red and violet diode instead of an aixis you'll get a very tight beam, smaller than the optics. It does however make some minor artifacts in the beam at distance but its not bad.

Modified lens

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

jayrob, problem is beam diameter.
Most of green modules have very tight beam, about 1.5cm.
But red and UV beams are 4-5mm in diameter.
Tighter beam will be more visible at close distance.

I have the same problem.

That happens few meter from sled, but after few meters divergence does job.
10 meters away from sled beams look the same size.

Yes of course there is still a difference is beam width, but if you get the alignment just right, you can get the green beam perfectly centered inside the other beams, and it's not too noticeable even at 3' or 4'.

In my higher powered build, I am using a 405-G-1 glass lens for the blu-ray, and I think that helps a little...
Jay

 

[ReNNo]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

It can't be perfect for that amount of money.
Green is much more visible 4-5 meters away from sled.
But after 4-5 meters beam looks good.
When I point it to sky I see white beam, not green.

Is there any way to get wider beam with green module?
If I use reading lens from PHR sled there will be more artifacts.
Even now I have some artifacts with red laser (ahhh, red diodes).
And what is about divergence with reading lens from PHR sled?
I think divergence is bad...

I have one more problem.
I think that crystal in my green module (from 50mW DX True pointer) is defective.
When I look at the beam 10 meters away from sled, green beam flickers in horizontal line.
Beam goes from one side to another.
Looks like crystal is changing TEM modes from TEM00 to another.
Did anyone have this problem?

I ordered new 50mW module from DX and I hope that this module will not suffer from these problems.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Yes, I had to replace an o-like green module that was mode hopping on me...

Also, I have noticed that temperature changes will make the green beam move just a hair.

It's not too bad, but it is definitely temperature related...

 

[FireMyLaser]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

The divergence is very good, 0.8mRad-ish.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

I finally went ahead and buttoned it up...

I have been testing and letting it settle, making minute adjustments for weeks, and it was finally nice and stable, so it has a home now!

 

[sightfx]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

It can't be perfect for that amount of money.
Green is much more visible 4-5 meters away from sled.
But after 4-5 meters beam looks good.
When I point it to sky I see white beam, not green.

Is there any way to get wider beam with green module?
If I use reading lens from PHR sled there will be more artifacts.
Even now I have some artifacts with red laser (ahhh, red diodes).
And what is about divergence with reading lens from PHR sled?
I think divergence is bad...

I have one more problem.
I think that crystal in my green module (from 50mW DX True pointer) is defective.
When I look at the beam 10 meters away from sled, green beam flickers in horizontal line.
Beam goes from one side to another.
Looks like crystal is changing TEM modes from TEM00 to another.
Did anyone have this problem?

I ordered new 50mW module from DX and I hope that this module will not suffer from these problems.

I have had some luck adjusting the focus on DX greens. The Green modules I've used are harvested from DX pens so the have a focusing nut with 2 holes in the end. I have yet to play with O-Like or any others. I built a peg wrench out of some finishing nails and a piece of key stock with 2 holes drilled in it for the nails to be epoxied into. I had a greenie where the beem was too broad and I was able to get it focused to the same size as Red and BR at 100 feet.


Hope that helps.

Chears,

Ryan

 

[ReNNo]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

I tried to adjust green module but didn't have any tools.
These tips will help in future.

 

[bhank]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Man JayRob I've been coming back to this thread every few days for the past month or so just to look at the pictures haha. I'm still amazed at how nice and clean a build it is. I'm just starting to modify a laser sight for my uncle (Laser sight rebuild) but as soon as I finish that and get it shipped back to PA to my uncle, I plan to TRY to tackle the 7 color, but I also plan to make a few simple modifications . I would love to have something that nice and well built so I'm gonna take my time haha.

But yeah I really admire the work that took. Very nice.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Thanks! I appreciate the complement...

Because it took a lot of time and effort to get it perfect. You would not believe how awesome the 358mW white beam looks! But having all of the other colors too is so cool.

Thanks to rog8811 for showing us how, and to sightfx for the great adjustable mounting kit!

 

[bhank]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Oh yeah I dont doubt that took a hell of a long time to get tweaked perfectly. As soon as i can get some shop time I've got a couple different projects lined up haha not only lasers but other random things. I bet it feels awesome to show poeple that thing and be like "yeah, I made it" lol.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Oh yeah I dont doubt that took a hell of a long time to get tweaked perfectly. As soon as i can get some shop time I've got a couple different projects lined up haha not only lasers but other random things. I bet it feels awesome to show poeple that thing and be like "yeah, I made it" lol.

I am very happy with the translucent scratch resistant box I found...

I wanted an enclosure, that could show off the awesome looking mounts from sightfx.

It just happened to be the perfect size for fitting the batteries the way I have them for easy replacement. Looks cool too!

There is also a small window on the sled that lights up the inside of the box with the current color blend.

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Here's some beam shots! (no smoke or fog, just the beam in the night sky with the camera on 'auto exposure')

You will be very happy with this build if you can get perfect beam alignment... (and power/color blend)

If it was not for this kit from sightfx, it would be very difficult to get the kind of alignment needed for these kind of 'full length' beam shots.

Kit from sightfx... :takeit:

 

[bhank]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Well jayrob, I found out today I've got to have surgery and I've got at least 4-6 weeks to heal at home SOOOO I can finally get the time to start working on my own 7 color :yh:. So hopefully I'll have my twist on it up here soon haha

 

[jayrob]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Well I hope your surgery goes well...

Show off that 7 color build when you get it done!

 

[bhank]

Re: Build Tips - 7 Color Laser Using Adjustable Sled Mount/Heatsinks

Well, in preparation for my time at home healing from my surgery (which will hopefully be next week) I went ahead and ordered some parts for my 7 color today:yh:. I ordered a 130-150mW green module from o-like because I want to be able to use it as a powerfull green as well. I also ordered an SF-AW210 diode from susie as well. So hopefully I'll get them in time for me to get started about a week after surgery when I have some strength back haha. I did spend $133 on just the 2 BUT oh well, it's gonna be shweeeet! haha. BUT I'm happy that I'm finally getting started on it