"The lasers on the link look more like modules ,rather than a pure laser diode."

They _are_ modules. A lot easier to handle than diodes ...


"They have an internal APC to drive the diode ,which is probably why they dont turn on fast."

That is what I assume. Bad ... I can't change that.


"Over the distance you are working on I think I would have used a radio link."

Maybe, but I was more interested in the laser solution. And the principle works fine.
I was almost scared because it worked at the first try. :-) I would just appreciate a little more speed.

Do you know any similar modules with acceptable modulation speed and price?

PS: "acceptable" means faster than 300 baud and not higher than two-digit (dollars or euros).