[Laser] Rat Shack lasermodules

[W2MXW]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the "beloved" Radio Shack now 
offers 650 nm 1 mW Class II lasermodules (#277-1101, $9.99 ea.) Right off 
the shelf, no special order. I'm not sure if I mentioned this here before 
but just in case...
Now there's no excuse for having to rip apart that "executive" pointer you 
paid $100 for from Edmund $cientific! Yeah, I know, we've all seen (and 
bought!) those $4.99 or $5.99 jobs from Hosfelt, etc. but with shipping you 
at best break even anyway, or wind up better off since you can just mosey 
on down to your local 'Shack.
Don't let that Class II rating fool you, they're bright.
They have a nice machined anodized metal (brass?) housing and are potted 
into it (can't dissect them to see what kind of regulator if any is used) 
and are fixed-focus, plastic lensed (hey, whaddya want for $10?? Actual 
*glass* or something?) :-) Although the lens "looks like" it's removable. 
Beam is quite well-collimated nonetheless.
As for modulatability, we'll have to see. Haven't tried to yet but am going 
to soon. Unless anyone else has already tried and can report results? Can a 
subcarrier be used, and how high?

73, Jonathan W2MXW