complete RGB-lasermodules (..and Hi!)

[SideFX]

Hi!

As this is my first post here.. i'll start off with an introduction:
I've been lurking on this forum for a few years.. I've built a small projector a year ago, with an 150mw 532nm laser, a k12n scanner set, and I purchased the LA freak package (I definitely got pango'd ). Using a MIDI keyboard I sometimes do some live beamshows at local parties.



I've done some attempts to add red in the projector: first with a 200mw 650nm diode.. but this was far to dim to really contribute something (or it wasn't a 200mw at all.. i have no means of measuring this).
Secondly with a 300mW 635nm module.. but the beam was big as hell! 6mm in diameter.. 50% went past the mirrors, the resulting beam was again far to dim to be remotely useful. I'm planning to do another attempt with an long die open can diode.


Now for my real question:
Some vendors have complete RGB lasermodules up for sale. It's one box which contains the red, green and blue lasers complete with optics and dichro's etc. I know for most people on this forum that combining the lasers themselves is what this hobby is all about But for myself I'd like to focus more on the artistic side of lasershows.. to synchronize music and laser using various controllers etc.

I found one on ebay from 'snoctony', with the following specs:

Red: 250mw@635nm, Green: 150mw@532nmm Blue: 100mW@473nm
Overall beamspecs:
diameter: 3.0mm
divergence: 1mrad
The price is $2250,- with analog modulation. See the item here.

Now how can these beamspecs be so good? It contains a 250mw 635nm and still the beam is only 3mm in diameter with 1 mrad. I've bought one or two items from him in the past and he seems honest in his itemdescriptions. but still..

I asked him about it but didn't receive a clear answer, he has send some pictures from which I attached one below. He calls this 'transferred beam'
So what am I looking at here.. Is this the beam through a grating? Does this say anything about the quality of the beam?
And is there anyone who has experience with this, or similar devices?

Thanks!!

[ljk]

Welcome to PL, thanks for the introduction about yourself.

[daedal]

As above, welcome to the forum and thanx for the intro...

Let me start by agreeing that making your own projector is most probably the best way to make one

Nonetheless, the picture you have there (I recall seeing this in his auctions) does show a balanced white beam (pictures can be very deceiving) and that the light is in fact made up of 3 colors (RBG, shown through the diffraction grating).

What I am focusing on in the picture is the profiles of the colors... each with its own blurred line, and it seems as though there is some camera noise around the red beam (in some beams you can see the really bright inner line), but that could also be the case with green and blue. There also is no size reference... There also is no way to know that the camera's gain on red vs. green / blue is identical, so you can't tell from that photo if the beams are good.

Another thing to consider is the possibility that if the beam does have great divergence, and is well collimated, a mask can be placed to tame the beam's profile, but inevitably taking away from its power.

Either way you decide, good luck, and welcome to PL.

--DDL

[SideFX]

As above, welcome to the forum and thanx for the intro...

Thanks for the warm welcome!

What I am focusing on in the picture is the profiles of the colors... each with its own blurred line, and it seems as though there is some camera noise around the red beam (in some beams you can see the really bright inner line), but that could also be the case with green and blue. There also is no size reference... There also is no way to know that the camera's gain on red vs. green / blue is identical, so you can't tell from that photo if the beams are good.

Or the green could be turned down.

Another thing to consider is the possibility that if the beam does have great divergence, and is well collimated, a mask can be placed to tame the beam's profile, but inevitably taking away from its power.

Ok.. a mask would explain the small beam size, but it should not be able to alter the divergence.

Either way you decide, good luck, and welcome to PL.

thanks! If I decide to take the jump i'll share my experiences here

[dave]

I would have a serious look at RGB laser systems if you want a all in one solution

[SideFX]

I would have a serious look at RGB laser systems if you want a all in one solution

You mean http://www.rgblasersystem.com/?
Yeah they are top of the bill.. but i guess i'll need to sell a kidney to be able to afford this equipment
I'll ask them for a quote for the WHITE-1000. Who knows..

[dave]

That's the one.