Quality budget Laser?

Off-topic Chatter
1

I have lots of cheap, $%^&* laser pointers with varying quality, reliability, and power.
Most of them have low build quality, low reliability, but insane output power.

Now my priority is quality and reliability over power.
I’m looking for a good-quality, reliable laser pointer for pointing at stars on a clear night.

It doesn’t need to be insanely powerful or burn things, but decent output and good beam quality would be nice.
Preferably a non-DPSS, direct-diode 520 nm laser,
and powered by a single 18650 cell with USB charging.

Is there anything on the market with at least the build quality of a budget flashlight that doesn’t cost 100 €?

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2

As in jlasers.org?

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3

Have you checked Sanwu lasers?

But be aware that usually powerful 520nm diode based lasers will have worse beam spec than 532nm DPSS, with higher divergence and larger beam profile.

4

Thanks for making me look up the link :rofl:

5

Did jlasers stop selling lasers??
I can’t see any of the usual models on the website!

I’m traveling to Japan, maybe he just don’t ship them here…

6

Also check Z80 lasers (Barney unlimited).

Zach can build your laser the way you want if you ask!

Got some of my nicest lasers wavelengths from him: a 484nm and a 495nm pointers

7

I don’t know, I stumbled upon that website last year but never got anything from it.
I can see only two eyesafe pointers, some hosts and diodes, drivers, heatsinks

8

Thanks for the suggestions!

The laser does not need to be “Eye save”! The safety comes from me handling it responsibility,
like a chainsaw or a gun can be inherently dangerously but if handled correctly it’s fine.

So i just don’t want them to overdrive the diode extremely.

Sounds cool, would like to see this color in person.

9

I hope you have fun here, six7!
No offense, I’m not impressed by the phrase “six seven.”
It’s basically a “joke” without a punchline.
Now, the number 42–that’s actually funny. :grin:

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10

Thank you. (i guess)
The Name i wanted was already taken… so i did chooses a $%^& post :smiley:

By the way what the deal with this celebrity pictures you post?

11

I’ve been using de/motivational posters to greet BLF members since 2012.
I’m currently on Series 6, which is comprised of 25 actors and 25 actresses that I admire.
It’s just something that I do. :man_shrugging:

12

You can get 1.6w of green nowadays without any overdrive with a NUGM06 extracted diode, this guy is incredibly bright!

Mine I’m pushing to 2W to be my brightest laser (but still far from the powerful ones)

13

I have the basic green 18650 model and it’s stunning, though I’m far from an expert. Always meant to follow up with something more fancy from there but never did.

I don’t think any come with onboard charging capability.

14

Sanwu have the most premium lasers I know that are mass produced, for sure you can find even fancier handmade lasers but I don’t think any will have built in usb-c charging.

You can get a USB-C cell or look for modding a flashlight host and driver.

15

I hate to say it but “Wurkkos HD01 PRO” looks like it will do the job and it comes with a UV light and flashlight build in.
has USB C charging.

Alt the Sanwu lasers look Fancy but they are kid of expensive and the cheap ones look like the cheap one i already have.

maybe some day i will mod a NUGM06 module in a S2 host or something like this :wink:

16

The Wurkkos lists 5mw power (eye safe limit), if this is accurate it will hard (not impossible) to see the beam even at night.

With a NUGM06 you can see them beam during the day and it’s a light saber at night without any fog.

I built mine into a short S2+, completing a collection of short 2W RGB lasers.
I’m using a Convoy 2A boost driver modded to 2.4A to reach the 2W.

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17

Of course everything have it pros and cons.
The Wurkkos cost less than just the NUGM06 diode alone.

But there other powerful green diodes in the market ranging between 300mw and 1w that are cheaper, you can ask Zach for those too.

If you want the best beam possible for a diode, look for single mode lasers.
The power will be limited to ~80 to 120mw depending of the bin, but beam characteristics are closer to DPSS

18

Do you have some pictures of this build? sounds interesting.

19

I’m traveling and don’t have photos of the 2W lasers :confused:

I do have some photos of a ~10w blue laser build that is somewhat similar, but with a lot more copper:

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This have an external module, for the 2W builds I shortened the solid copper back half to fit everything inside the S2+

Edit: Those photos with the brass pill was not using the 470nm diode, I later replaced the diode and put a copper pill for more heat sinking.

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20

i found this:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/358287969452?itmmeta=01KQSPMTBRWFYG328VQRRWX43K&hash=item536ba08cac:g:CWcAAeSwk1ppqS7a
i cant tell anything about the quality. but it kind of looks like waht i want. a S2 body with out any unnecessary bulk.

But i think would want a glass lens in the front to protect the laser lens from dust.

this looks awesome. thank you for sharing

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