Recommendations for RED laser pointers & modules?

[Raccoon]

Hello.

It's been well over a decade since I purchased my first and only red laser pointer. I'm sure I paid somewhere between $10 and $20 for a plain <1mW pen pointer, though with focusable lens hidden under the cap. The sucker still works given a sharp slap on its side!

In my lust to attain the most brilliant of things which emit green, I have completely neglected my arsenal of red photons. So, I ask all you experts and enthusiasts to share your experience with red lasers. What specific specs or brand/model pointers you would recommend for purchase?

First, what are the most desired and interesting frequencies of red? I see many different wavelengths available in both pointers and modules, ranging from near IR to amber. I'm sure some of these are exclusive and rare, while others are far more affordable and just as fun to stare at.

Please keep in mind I'm not looking for JUST one specific "must-have" model, but, perhaps, the "must-have" in each class of frequency, power, features, mod-ability, uniqueness, and price.

Or, in short, post your review of some damn cool <font color="red">red</font> lasers, here!

Raccoon

 

[DaFiend]

For pointers, see arnold.

 

[Spec]

[ QUOTE ]
Raccoon said:
Or, in short, post your review of some damn cool <font color="red">red</font> lasers, here!

Heh. No problem.

For a pointer 635nM is the most desirable red as it is more visable than at 650nM version. I personally like the "hot cherry red" color of 650nM but the downside is that getting a large red dpss laser is a lot harder than green.

Never buy "keychain" red pointers. There are 2 reasons for this, 1: They are usually >650nM and 2: They are usually <2mW and cost a bajillion(that is technical by the way) times more than they are worth. Some of them are a diode, 3 lr44 batteries, a resistor, and some shaped glass. Thats it.

Atlasnova.com sells quite nice 635nM units. Go there for a decent pointer. Sadly enough, they are the best of the best and thusly you are limited when trying to find more sellers with a comperable product.

There are only a handful of laser colors that are easy to attain, whether they are gas or DPSS.

By frequency:

488nM Argon gas
512nM Argon gas
532nM DPSS
632nM HeNe gas
635nM Diode
650nM Diode

However with enough power and in the correct amounts you can make a white laser with these guys. Addition and subtraction of different colors can yeild many many many different colors.

Hope this helps.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

You can also obtain the following laser wavelengths relatively easily:

543.5nm - HeNe gas
593.5nm - DPSS (this one could be a bit tricky, as there aren't yet too many yellow laser pointers out there.)
594.1nm - HeNe gas
611.9nm - HeNe gas
808.0nm - Diode
1,523nm - HeNe gas

 

[Raccoon]

Re: Recommendations for RED laser pointers & modul

Sweet-- so where can I get an Argon and HeNe pointer? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (if only! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif)

Thanks for the Atlasnova tip, Spec. Happen to know if this laser can be tinkered with? Focusable lens? Pot mod?

Have you ever reviewed a red pointer, Craig?

I was somewhat expecting affordable 300mW of red photonic power. hehe.

 

[Quazar]

Re: Recommendations for RED laser pointers & modul

A He/Ne pointer is easy. There are plenty of power supplies that run off 9-12v. It may be a bit cumbersome and untidy, but it is easily done. A friend of mine has Green and Orange He/Ne tubes with portable battery PSU's.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Recommendations for RED laser pointers & modul

[ QUOTE ]
Raccoon said:
Have you ever reviewed a red pointer, Craig?

[/ QUOTE ]
On my website, click on the "Lasers" link, and pick "Hi-Output Keychain Laser", "'Stick Of Gum' Laser Pointer", and "Red, Green, & Blue Lasers" from the left-frame menu.
Those are my evaluations of red laser pointers that do not do anything else (like write or those paired with an LED flashlight).