I looked up if there were a few threads related to this question but was wondering if anyone has ever tried one of those lower cost spectrometers.
The application where I want to use it is measure the wavelength shift and normal wavelength of a listed 808nm diode to see how much of the light is actually in or around 808nm. I hear stories of ebay sellers selling 808nm diodes that aren't actually 808nm so a lot of the energy available for say a DPSS blue or green is lost because of it, not just that but off course there is also a shift in wavelength when overdriving those diodes or when cooling them more significantly. I am aware DPSS is mostly on it's way out but I still see value in the knowledge myself of building a 532nm sometime for fun and have the proper eye protection to do so.
I have little applications where I actually want to use an spectrometer so I cannot justify the cost of a high-end one but was wondering if the lower cost spectrometers do the job once calibrated using a fluorescent light and using some lasers of various wavelengths.
I was mostly looking at this mini usb spectrometer: (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-USB-Sp...YAAOSw4GVYMJIf) which may do the job once calibrated using a fluorescent light and some lasers to get it sort of within a nm or so?
I was looking into surplus units but wasn't lucky to find those. I am aware that you can make your own by making a slit and using a prism or grating combined with a camera with the IR filter taken out but a pre-made product that will likely be on the same level might be an easier solution.
Would love to hear if it's even worthwhile looking at. I was really wondering if there is something out there that just does what I need for this particular application.