Potmodded DX 100mW green laser

[Fallingwater]

I'm pondering whether to buy one of these. It's remarkably cheap for a 100mW laser.

They have 150 and 200mW versions as well (respectively potmodded from 100 and 150), but they have a much less impressive bang-per-buck ratio.

Is the one I want to buy actually a 100mW unit, and what are the consequences of potmodding?

Thanks.

 

[dr_lava]

potmodding wont' gain you anything in the DX lasers. they are already maxed out close to the point of failing.

 

[Fallingwater]

Potmodding will greatly reduce the life of the laser and can cause instability and mode hopping.

Life reduction I understand (how much is it reduced?), but how does instability happen in lasers? And what's mode hopping?