RadioShack Green Laser Extra Dot

[Andrewajt62]

I know these lasers aren't very good quality, but i recently noticed a teeny tiny little dot next to the main dot of this pointer that I had for 1-2 months. It's barely noticeable, so it may have been there when I first got it. What would be the cause of this extra dot?

 

[potatorage]

It's either mode shifting, or a dirty lens.

 

[Andrewajt62]

It's either mode shifting, or a dirty lens.

I've tried cleaning the lens of the laser with a Q-tip multiple times and the dot still stays. Does this mean it's probobly mode shifting?

 

[FreshlyCutFries]

You should clean it with a microfiber cloth that you get at a lense store.

 

[john_lawson]

put fresh batteries in it ,clean it and yes it may be mode hopping TEM 01 i believe

 

[snowlover91]

To add on to this, I noticed something somewhat odd with my 50mw green laser last night. On batteries below 1.4v, when I turn it on it is a single, narrow beam. However, when I use stronger batteries (fresh ones around 1.5v), when I turn it on the beam starts out narrow but then like expands into 2 seperate beams, kinda hard to explain but that is what it does. Everytime it starts as a single tight beam and then expands into 2 seperate beams. Anyone know why this could be or what is causing it? I don't think it affects the power though because about 10 feet away the beam converge again.

 

[Andrewajt62]

You should clean it with a microfiber cloth that you get at a lense store.

The problem with cleaning it is that the cap doesn't screw off like other Newish lasers so im limited to sticking things into it. Also, there's like, a ring around the beam if it's dark enough, which I always thought it was that way because normal but I guess it's not. My guess is it's running in TEM10. But hey, I got a Lyra G5 coming in the mail likely in 2 days anyway .

 

[ElektroFreak]

To add on to this, I noticed something somewhat odd with my 50mw green laser last night.  On batteries below 1.4v, when I turn it on it is a single, narrow beam.  However, when I use stronger batteries (fresh ones around 1.5v), when I turn it on the beam starts out narrow but then like expands into 2 seperate beams, kinda hard to explain but that is what it does.  Everytime it starts as a single tight beam and then expands into 2 seperate beams.  Anyone know why this could be or what is causing it?  I don't think it affects the power though because about 10 feet away the beam converge again.

The first post in this thread should help you understand what is happening..
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1226070525

 

[JonWienke]

I have a a Radio Shack green pointer as well. It worked great until one of the crystals fell out of its mount and is now rattling around loose inside...

Any suggestions for non-destructive disassembly and realignment?

 

[daguin]

I have a a Radio Shack green pointer as well. It worked great until one of the crystals fell out of its mount and is now rattling around loose inside...

Any suggestions for non-destructive disassembly and realignment?

Push the guts out and build a violet laser in it.

Unless you can simply screw it back in place, the alignment of the crystals is notoriously difficult.

Peace,
dave