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Lift-off
55mW Advanced Wicked Laser
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 67
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 Posted: 9/08/05, 3:13 AM Post subject: Expected L |
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Hello and thanks for reading,
i wonder what the cause of a laser "end of life"... of course, without considering dramatic event such as if it falls on the ground!! On specifications of every laser you can find "Expected Lifetime : xxxxx hrs".
On gases lasers this is due to the end of the gas itself but, with diode??
Best Regards |
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nero_design
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 1463
Picture(s): 98
Movie(s): 1
Location: Australia
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| Posted: 9/08/05, 8:59 AM Post subject: Things I'v |
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I've owned laser Pointers and carried them with me since 1988 which means some of my oldest are Helium Neon gas laser pointers. The beam is VERY BRIGHT and TINY (and red-orange) close to the aperture but it spreads the further away the termination point is. Laser diodes like the DPSS types available here on Wicked are likely to last much longer. They don't contain glass vaccume flask like the gas lasers so they can withstand much more abuse. But to drop a laser from the green DPSS range is different to dropping a laser from the red diode range. This is because the green diode lasers require special crystals and filters which the red ones do not. Dropping them can move the crystals which affects the output strength of the beam.
As for lifetime, I think a HeNe Gas laser is rated at 2,000 hours of use and an Argon or Kypton gas laser lasts between 4,000 and 10,000 hours but all three can be regassed depending on their manufacturer.
Now DPSS and Diode lasers don't need regassing since they use a different method to lase. They presumably can last up to 10 years with semi constant use with a diode life of around 3,500 +/- hours.
Things I have learned a long time ago:
* Make sure the laser clips tightly to your pocket if that's where you keep it. Or you will bend over and it will fall.
* It's best not to carry it everywhere and every day... get a cheapie for this - or buy two.
* Some diode lasers can run on the same set of lithium batteries for over 5 years if used only occasionally.
* DPPS Green lasers can have their batteries leak acid in less than 2 weeks. Buy Lithium etc.
* Wear protective glasses when working with lasers over <10mW
* A 40Watt Argon laser will punch a hole through a VISA card from 6 feet in one second.
* Cats love chasing laser pointers under <5mW
* Shining a low powered green laser into a table of glassware in a dark resturant makes for a great showstopper.
* Birds can be discouraged from roosting with a laser pointer <20mw
* A tweaked Leadlight (from <5mW to <45mW) laser will vapourise tiny gnat-sized insects in a spectacular fashion
* Aquarium fish LOVE green lasers around <5mw
* It's possible to deter a violent assault by armed thugs against strangers with just three red laser pointers.
* Never point a red laser at the reflective vest of a mounted policeman. Even if it's 1989.
* Laser pointers from The Sharper Image can get your Outrigger Hotel raided by the local SWAT team in Honolulu.
* Police in Honolulu can be conviced that the red light on your camcorder looks a lot like a laser pointer.
* The Sharper image no longer supplies laser pointers as a result of an incident in Honolulu.
* You can make three-foot long lizards climb into your open hands in the wild with a green laser pointer.
* A laser can assist you in determining if there's enough smoke from your kitchen to trigger your smoke alarm.
* Lighting a Montecristo cigar with a 2Watt laser is a bad idea. No matter how cool it looks. |
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Jason
Phoenix Laser
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 75
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| Posted: 9/08/05, 3:47 PM Post subject: Best Threa |
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Care to elabotate on this one...I'd love to hear the story...in the post or in PM...
* It's possible to deter a violent assault by armed thugs against strangers with just three red laser pointers. |
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