Z's 495nm Build

[ZRaffleticket]

Hi everyone! Got another post about these new fancy diodes we have.

This time, the new 495nm diode by Sharp:



The first thing you may notice is how green it is. And yes, it is green to me no matter how I look at it. Below is about as accurate as I can show the color using my camera/monitor:





So I would call this a mint green. I asked my neighbor what color he'd call it, "sea foam green" was his immediate response.

The host is a wonderful build by Rich (lifetime17). I had been bugging him about another host that's impossible, and after determining that I decided to ask for "something with a nice copper/aluminum mix". Not too long after that, Rich sent me pictures of this and asked me what I thought



Pretty easy YES to me.





As for where the color falls in place against 488nm, you have this:



And 520 vs 502 vs 495 vs 488 vs 485


__

And that's about what I have to share! a huge :thanks: to Rich, and a huge :thanks: to lazerman121 for the replacement diode (since I killed the first one accidentally...)

And last but not least, thank you Paul for testing the diodes that I bought and sent out to various members here

__

I have a few spare pics that I'd like to put into the review:







And as I always do, the link to the full album is here. I add to the albums every now and again.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Beautiful, Z! :beer:
That host from Rich is a nice compliment to this wavelength, makes for a real sharp looking package!
I think your neighbor is pretty close with with his choice of "sea foam green" color, heck, mint green is good too. :thinking:
:gj: +rep

 

[NightExplorer96]

Nice laser Z! 495nm is definitely a beautiful color.

-Alex

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi Z,
Wow that build came out sick really see all good things come to those who wait. Rushing is a recipe for disaster always take your time . In this hobby a mistake it very costly. But the outcome is delicious . Nice build enjoy love these new diodes and still look the 505's ..

Rich

 

[CynicalBrad]

Every time I see a build with these diodes, it makes me realize how much I need one for my humble collection. Great pics +rep when I can.

 

[Alex2893]

How visable is the beam ? I bought a 495nm laser from Rich and im trying to picture how many mw I should expect and how visable the beam is. I know these are lower poweres diodess but in not sure if I should expect like 20mw 50mw or 100+ mw ?

 

[paul1598419]

Great review, Zach. I guess it is in the eye of the beholder as mine looks more blue than green to me. All I have to do is compare it to my 502nm build to see that. + rep. :yh:

@Alex2893

These are over 100 mW with the Nano Boost driver set at 275 mA. It isn't very visible from the side in daylight, but in a lit room it is more so.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

Thanks guys!

Edit: Paul - maybe mine is higher WL than yours. A few nm difference in this region is a difference between night and day. Been meaning to rep you for measuring the others but I don't rep enough other people here... Still love the color! I feel like I won't be touching my other greenies too much anymore after this

@alex2893 There's a couple factors that will affect that:
What driver do you plan on using, and how high do you plan on driving these? Mine is running using the nano @275mA.
I didn't measure the power on mine yet, but according to SinglemodeLaser's measurements mine should be somewhere from 125-175mW. Depending on luck of the draw on the diode and how much the lens drops the power. I'm using a 3-element lens. A few mW won't mean much in terms of brightness at these levels though

As for visibility, without smoke with low lighting:


And the same with the lights on:



Hope that helps,
-Z

 

[Alex2893]

Thanks guys!

Edit: Paul - maybe mine is higher WL than yours. A few nm difference in this region is a difference between night and day. Been meaning to rep you for measuring the others but I don't rep enough other people here... Still love the color! I feel like I won't be touching my other greenies too much anymore after this

@alex2893 There's a couple factors that will affect that:
What driver do you plan on using, and how high do you plan on driving these? Mine is running using the nano @275mA.
I didn't measure the power on mine yet, but according to SinglemodeLaser's measurements mine should be somewhere from 125-175mW. Depending on luck of the draw on the diode and how much the lens drops the power. I'm using a 3-element lens. A few mW won't mean much in terms of brightness at these levels though

As for visibility, without smoke with low lighting:


And the same with the lights on:



Hope that helps,
-Z

Yup Rich used the same driver. Thats more then I expected. Very very nice. Can't wait to get it now. Also should I assume the divergence is excellent becuase its single mode?

 

[paul1598419]

Hey, Zach. Do you get any of the rectangular artifact with the 3E lens? I used an acrylic for this very reason. I tried an aspheris and saw it, so didn't try any other lenses.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

Yup, the divergence is top-notch.

And yeah I have it... I'm using a 3-element since all of my (unused) acrylic lenses are in poor shape.

 

[RedCowboy]

Looks good, cant wait to see more 495 and 488 diodes on sale.

 

[paul1598419]

Yup, the divergence is top-notch.

And yeah I have it... I'm using a 3-element since all of my (unused) acrylic lenses are in poor shape.

Time to buy more modules. Or, I think Grix has some at 10 for $1.00. I go through so many modules I have acrylics coming every time I reorder.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

It'll be more modules first. I need at least two for the next iteration of sharp diodes. That or I need to unpress a few.

 

[paul1598419]

If you get copper ones from DTR they are $27.50 for five. If you want nickel plated brass they are ~$10.00 for five. I carry both types of modules because you never know what someone will want.

 

[BobMc]

Nice write up Z, great read and some nice pics. Love your compairsion shots. Enjoy your 495, it's in such a good looking host.

:gj: to both you and Rich.