Analogue Lasers?

[steviobee]

On a simple level, if an analogue laser was bought, could you if used in a smaller venue/room just dim the beams accordingly and is it just worth getting the more power with that in mind? That way I could use outdoors if needed and inside smaller rooms with brightness turned down. I am new to this so please be gentle....

Am i also right in saying you can't dim TTL lasers but only switch them on and off??

[WookieBoy]

Hi Steve...

In theory, yes on both counts...

However, it's not really a safe way to do it as dimming in the software is a/ not 100% reliable and b/ not "Fail Safe" if the software/computer/DAC has a "BrainFart".

DOn't quote me on this, but by adding a pot and some other simple ish electronics to your control side of the lasers input, you can electronically dial down your output power which would be safer, but probably still not safe enough for the HSE guidlines...
You can buy ready made circuits to do this sort of thing from StanWax laser here on the forum... Or google his webshop StanWax.co.uk if I remember correctly..

I hope that helps, though I wait to be corrected on any of the above... It's been a long day!

[Jem]

One of the problems with dialling down the power on high power analogue DPSS lasers is that it can screw the modulation characteristics.

[gottaluvlasers]

just throw a 10K linear pot on the input mod. lines. I do it on all my >5W greens and all my new projectors. Never had a single problem.