Green BeamshotLAW-17Remember that currently green lasers use an IR diode and a crystal splitter. This means not all the power is coming out as green, you lose the rest. As a result, one must up the power to compensate which means a much higher power drain and more heat in the module. Since they do not utilize a green laser diode, the physical layout of an IR laser and cystal splitter is not as stable and durable. I imagine that the alignment of diode to splitter is critical.
So, loss of power, increased power drain, more heat and components contributing to lower durability.
The first link is to a unit that suffers these drawbacks, and does not make lasers of the strength and precision as the top red laser makers. The second uses a beefy mount to take care of the durability, and probably acts as a heat sync.
"Why Green? At 530nM. the human brain perceives green to be much brighter than the more common red lasers. The method used to create the green involves taking a high power IR laser and passing the beam through a crystal that splits the wavelength in half. It takes 200mW of IR to make a 5mW green beam. Because of the high power used, the laser needs much more current than the red laser. The green also produces more heat and needs very stable thermal control. Because of this, the green laser is hard mounted inside of a sturdy aluminum housing that provides plenty of heat-sink and shock protection. Instead of jacking around the laser module inside of the housing to aim the laser, the entire laser housing is moved during adjustment. The green laser pulls around 220 mA of current compared to about 30mA for the red laser diodes. Because of this, manufacturers of cheaper green lasers will turn down the output, and pulse the beam. This makes the battery last longer; but reduces output to 1/10 maximum power."
The last link:
Surefire Green LaserI was not aware that the Green Laser from Surefire is available yet. I know the prototypes are out - our ARF brother PincoPalla (lucky @^#%#*!!) has played with one. Another company I know has had them (L80) on order for three years (SF doesn't even stock red L72's, they are made after being ordered). The technology of the L80 is no better than the others as far as I know, but probably the best quality of most already out. I asked Laser Devices how their research was progressing and when they were going to come out with a green laser. They said they weren't bothering with any development until the technology has advanced (green laser diodes) and until that is out, they won't be attempting to offer a green laser. Damn. Green OTAL? Hell Yeah!
Sorry to go off thread, but people keep asking about green lasers...