I just got back from visiting with Chad over at Meredith Instruments and brought home a couple of laser diode sockets to test out. They seem to be quite robust and the thing I like the most is the solder cup style connectors like what a DB-25 connector might have.
Nice and easy to work with. Fits a 445 diode nice and snug.
$5 each, easy to solder to. http://www.mi-lasers.com or 623-934-9387.
I don't think they listed these on their site yet but there is a pile of them on his workbench right now.
Clarification: The sockets are a little large, they do "spread out" the diode pins a little bit but it sure beats soldering to the pins directly
Last edited by Laser Wizardry; 02-03-2012 at 18:16.