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Old 06-12-2012, 10:48 AM
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Shark Bait (Stu)
'ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha'

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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Brisbane
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scorpius51 View Post
Hi folks

I am about to purchase one, but I just wanted to check whether the concensus is that 1 mW is sufficient, or do you need a bit more power?

Cheers
John
As delivered, the 1mW green laser pointer is just bright enough for a beam to be visible by yourself and those who are standing next to you. A person 5m away will not really notice the beam unless they know you are using it.

I purchased mine from the same place that Suzy did:

www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Stylish-532nm-Green-Laser-Pointer-Light-Pen-Lazer-Beam-1mW-High-Power-/110927559203?pt=AU_LaserPointers&ha sh=item19d3cc3a23

You don't have to pay via ebay. I paid directly into Nikkie's bank account.

If you don't mind reducing the expected 5000 hour life of the diode you can carefully pull the laser apart and tweak the pot to increase the output.

As the cost is so low, I experimented with this and the beam is noticeably brighter. I have ordered a small piece of IR filtering glass to eliminate unwanted IR wavelengths of light. Just be aware that you do run the risk of damaging the laser module when you pull it apart. The photo in my last post is a 30 second exposure so don't use that as a guide to brightness.

I have since ordered a 40mw green laser module with another piece of IR filtering glass in order to build my own pointer. It will fit into the same pen housing but I will order a new laser host to keep things looking neat. It is quite legal to order the parts and build your own but you will have to check the laws in your state regarding the legalities of using your higher power laser pointers.

Last edited by Shark Bait; 06-12-2012 at 11:00 AM.
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