As you can see, it's not a straightforward process, as is the case with red, blue, violet laser pointers. (common wavelengths are 650nm for red , 445nm for blue , and 405nm for purple)
In a green laser pointer, 808nm laser radiation from a pump diode is used to generate 1064nm light in the gain medium (in this case, the YAG or YVO4). This 1064nm light is then doubled by the KTP to from 532nm light. There's no colour filters involved, it's a laser-pumped laser.
To achieve even a low-power output requires large amounts of 808nm IR pump radiation. For example, the pump diodes found in a 50mW green laser pointer will often average around 300mW IR output.
The human eye isn't very sensitive to 808nm IR- and it's barely visible. It takes several watts of 808nm to achieve visual parity with 1mW of 650nm. As a result, what is mistaken as a dim red light is easily capable of causing instantaneous eye damage.
Although this diagram shows an IR filter (which would cut out all of the infrared from the green beam), most cheap pointers and modules lack this IR filter.
The most common causes of this type of pointer failure are either driver/pump diode failure, or crystal set failure.
Something kinda fun to try is... Take the head off and then remove the focusing barrel (should just unscrew) and your laser will have a green beam similar to a cree zoomie at full zoom. Works well with a gun mount for coyote and other preditor hunting applications. You won't be able to lite matches or pop ballons with it this way but it's easy to change it back to the way it was.
Some time ago i was addicted to laser and i start reading everything about it. I also made a laser with an old DVD writer and a homemade circuit board. The problem is that now is forbidden to import laser in italy...
You can burn things and pop ballon also with 5 mw green laser (if it have not IR filter) but it's IR radiation that make the work and it's also quite dangerous because human eyse can't see infrared... With a camera with night-shot mode you can clearly see the IR beam.
If you want a quality laser there is wicked laser that sell good products.
After seeing Foy and Langs bad ass lasers and since all the ones I own are mounted on firearms. I decided to get one of my own from Gadgettown. I ordered the 100mw WF502B on the 17th only to receive an email on the 18th saying it was sold out. So I found A 200mW WF502B for $36.89 and ordered it on the 18th, to my surprise I received it on the 20th, yup that's right 2 days later apparently it shipped from NY. Well let me tell you this is a bad mother, it lights matches, pops balloons and shines for miles day and night. I couldn't be happier and with the almost instant gratification of the 2 day delivery and the absolutely breath taking power I can highly recommend this baby.
Still can't be 100% certain although the lasers that have some form of guarantee don't seem to get many complaints. I wonder if we will ever see them do this with budget flashlights?
Well, I think I agree with Lang that the geenie we got is probably in the 50mw range, not the 100 in the listed specs. For a no-nothing laser nooby like me - it feels like Star Trek Enterprise. I have had so damn much fun with this thing.
I hear ya they're a good time just watch out for airplains when shining it in the sky. I wouldn't be surprised as they become more avaliable that we may see more restrictions or a complete ban on them. (hope not)
A bit off topic but does your 980l throw as far as your Skyline 1 ?
Nothing I have does. We're talking reach only however and to be sure; the 980L does throw quite well and is a billion times brighter - just does not reach as far as the Skyline. I've got a Masterpiece Pro on the way that I've read, throws better but until that comes, nothing I have can put light on something so far away as the Skyline 1. When you hold it in your hand, it feels twice as expensive as it is. If you get one you'll understand why it used to cost $80. (and still does on many sites)
Mine came with a 18650, sounds to me like they sent you the wrong laser or a lesser quality replacement. Did you try other charged batterys ? I put the battery mine came with in my UF KH-T60 and I measured just shy of 2 Amps and with a Ultrafire blue 18650 I get 3.46 Amps.
I read somewhare that it's not good to run a laser continously for more than 30 seconds (that may pertain to cheap E-Bay lasers) not sure though. Did you use a black balloon or put a spot on it with a black marker when trying to get it to pop? Either way, sounds like you didn't receive the laser as described by Bestofferbuy. Hopefully there as easy to deal with on replacements/refunds as they are when accepting our money.
