What is going on?

[Rivem]

I would like to try and test my laser while it's cold. Would it hurt it if I put it in a Ziploc bag and into the freezer for 10mins or such? I am worried about moisture forming. I've read that before with other members trying this

-Alex

It's a DPSS, so that's highly unlikely to help and will likely just decrease the output more if the crystals don't miraculously realign. The condensation risk isn't worth it.

 

[NightExplorer96]

^Got it guys! I'll try it again tonight when it's cooler, and do a few 90sec. test runs and see what I get.

If it dosen't get much better, at least I still have a 473 laser

Thank you Paul, Merpie and Rivem! :beer:

-Alex

 

[ZRaffleticket]

Only time I've done that was to get pics of the 561 from a while ago, when I wanted to get a little more time out of a single shoot. I wouldn't recommend doing the same, not worth the risk.

Hopefully with all these new diodes coming out we'll see cheap 473nm diodes pop up again. The stability of diodes is far better for pointers. I just wish the 480nm diodes were more plentiful

 

[NightExplorer96]

Only time I've done that was to get pics of the 561 from a while ago, when I wanted to get a little more time out of a single shoot. I wouldn't recommend doing the same, not worth the risk.

Hopefully with all these new diodes coming out we'll see cheap 473nm diodes pop up again. The stability of diodes is far better for pointers. I just wish the 480nm diodes were more plentiful

Yes, I remember seeing your review on that 561, it was awesome! I left it on my windowsill to let it cool down and run the test again in a little while. We'll see what happens. :yh:

-Alex

 

[paul1598419]

Only time I've done that was to get pics of the 561 from a while ago, when I wanted to get a little more time out of a single shoot. I wouldn't recommend doing the same, not worth the risk.

Hopefully with all these new diodes coming out we'll see cheap 473nm diodes pop up again. The stability of diodes is far better for pointers. I just wish the 480nm diodes were more plentiful

Even though they really didn't make it to 480nm, I'd love to get my hands on some more of those diodes. Many made it to 477nm and 478nm.

 

[Rivem]

Even though they really didn't make it to 480nm, I'd love to get my hands on some more of those diodes. Many made it to 477nm and 478nm.

Please remember me on that Paul. I'm probably going to miss them again if another batch reappears.

 

[paul1598419]

If I manage to get another batch, I'll certainly set one aside for you, Rivem. :yh:

 

[NightExplorer96]

I tried it again just now, and got a little higher peak, so my unit seems to like it cold. After just warming up it drops in power. Is it normal for 473's?

-Alex

 

[paul1598419]

Maybe let it sit overnight and see what it does in the morning. I'd hate to say it is toast right now. I don't see how it could have become misaligned, but there are other problems it could have. I think the way they are put together, you would have to really cause a traumatic impact to cause it to become misaligned.

 

[NightExplorer96]

Maybe let it sit overnight and see what it does in the morning. I'd hate to say it is toast right now. I don't see how it could have become misaligned, but there are other problems it could have. I think the way they are put together, you would have to really cause a traumatic impact to cause it to become misaligned.

That's what im thinking too Paul. I've never done anything to cause even any slight misalignment. I'll let it sit by the cool air coming in for about 1 more hour and then re-do another test.

Is it possible the peak I got might of happened because of an overcharged battery or something? I just bought a fresh Energizer CR2!

-Alex

 

[Rivem]

That's what im thinking too Paul. I've never done anything to cause even any slight misalignment. I'll let it sit by the cool air coming in for about 1 more hour and then re-do another test.

Is it possible the peak I got might of happened because of an overcharged battery or something? I just bought a fresh Energizer CR2!

-Alex

It could be the diode or driver then. The LBO crystal's temp range is like 10/15 C to 35/40 C. Only the diode or driver would perform better at lower temps, but the batter is always something to consider as well.

 

[Razako]

I tried it again just now, and got a little higher peak, so my unit seems to like it cold. After just warming up it drops in power. Is it normal for 473's?

-Alex

Seems kinda weird. My 473nm Jetlasers PL-E pro seems to only go up in output as it warms up. I had a problem similar to yours with my first Spartan from Jetlasers. It worked fine for a few weeks until one day it randomly lost like 80% of the output and never recovered. I didn't drop it or do anything else particularly harmful to cause the problem. Fortunately, DL let me ship it back and they sent me a replacement. Seems like these finicky lasers just randomly go wrong sometimes ;/ These exotic colors are hard to produce even in professional lab units with TEC cooling and such. The fact that they work at all in pointers is a small miracle of technology.

 

[NightExplorer96]

Seems kinda weird. My 473nm Jetlasers PL-E pro seems to only go up in output as it warms up. I had a problem similar to yours with my first Spartan from Jetlasers. It worked fine for a few weeks until one day it randomly lost like 80% of the output and never recovered. I didn't drop it or do anything else particularly harmful to cause the problem. Fortunately, DL let me ship it back and they sent me a replacement. Seems like these finicky lasers just randomly go wrong sometimes ;/ These exotic colors are hard to produce even in professional lab units with TEC cooling and such. The fact that they work at all in pointers is a small miracle of technology.

Indeed. I may need to pick up a 473 from Laserglow in the future, or should I keep this one? My 594 from LG with fresh batteries always gives me around 2-3mW's so above what it was sold as (1.9mW MAX). Pretty happy

-Alex

 

[Rivem]

Indeed. I may need to pick up a 473 from Laserglow in the future, or should I keep this one? My 594 from LG with fresh batteries always gives me around 2-3mW's so above what it was sold as (1.9mW MAX). Pretty happy

-Alex

I say keep what you've got as long as it functions, and wait to see if another diode set comes out again. Now that the Laser66 hosts are back, you could easily make a more stable and powerful pen for less money. I'm sure another member could do it for you if you don't want to DIY.

 

[NightExplorer96]

The host this time was pretty cold to the touch, got 5mW peak then back down to 2mW's. I'll send an eMail to eBay to see if anything can be done. It lasted me 6 months, that's it....

-Alex

 

[paul1598419]

IDK, Alex. I guess that 477nm laser spoiled me. I can't get excited about 20 mW of 473nm when I have 127 mW of 477nm. Sure hope to see more of those diodes. Had I known what I do now, I'd have gotten more when they were available.