What's up from NY!

Hello LPF, I have been lurking this forum fo a few days and decided it's time to make an account. My name is Devin, I am a college student in Utica NY studying Cybersecurity. I was recently browsing an app with cool gadgets and what not and came across a "10000mW green laser pointer". At this point I really had no prior knowledge about lasers, so I thought that sounded pretty cool for only $13 and ordered it. Yes I know, huge noob thing to do. Later I found this forum and very quickly realized there's no way that the laser was actually 10000mW. I cancelled the order and now I'm here learning before I make another dumb mistake! This seems like a really great community and a great place to learn!

What kinda laser do you want? I can help you choose one.

Right now I'm cosidering ordering a 1W 445nm from sflasers. However I'm not sure it's the best idea for a first laser considering the power. I have already bought some safety glasses so I'm good when it comes to that. I do live in a dorm however and I'm not so sure a 1W laser is the best idea.

Welcome to the forums!

-Alex

hello, 1w is alot of power more then anyone actually needs, its more to showing off hey i have a cool 1w laser that can burn through a dark cd case in 2 seconds..buy instead a lowered powered green, it will be visible in darkness and still produce a cool factor, 1w lasers range u usually have them for burning and that and that kind of power u should always wear goggles when using since 1w is so crazy much power so u kinda miss a bit fun where u dont see the beam etc when burning a bit dull after u done it a few times even tho its cool to burn shit,

if u want a laser to point in sky etc and play with that then 50-100mW in green is more then enough and i think sflasers still sell those.

Welcome to LPF! Good luck on what ever you choose to buy. SFLasers is a wonderful company, and sell lasers of great quality. What ever you decide on, please buy the proper safety glasses for the wavelength you purchase like mortuus said above.

Welcome to LPF!

For you, I think the green ones are the best idea, since you don't stated for what you will use the laser. A 100mW laser will be visible at night and will do some little burning, like burn match or smoke insulation tape, and isn't too dangerous like 1W 445nm.

:beer:

Good on you for already recognizing the power and dangers of a class IV handheld laser! Even I'm still too afraid to get/make a 1W+ handheld, so I'm just sticking to a labbie Have fun on the forum!