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Help buying my first 100mW 405nm laser

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kaplosion

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Edit: in response to udanis

Hey, so I've owned quite a few green lasers, and I was interested in buying a violet/blue laser and I have a few questions.

1) Is it possible to see the beam at this power output? I know its not nearly as great as green but I'd be happy if we could see one.

2) I'm pretty indecisive and I was looking at three lasers:
Link1, Link2, and Link3


Long version: Anyone have any pro/cons or recommendations? I'm primarily interested in the best visible violet beam(maybe the batteries play a role here?), and then something for to show to my friends which is why I chose the kaleidoscopic kind. However, I figure with the adjustable beam I could make it get pretty big and fluoresce things (and burn but that's just a not important bonus to me).

In short: Which would you buy and why?

Thanks for reading, kaplosion
 
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U

udanis

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I would not buy a laser from dino direct. They have no way of knowing what they sell, they are an unknowing drop shipper that really don't know what they are selling and I would never order from. Orderring from o-like.com would be your best bet for something like that.

Be sure to check this out: Where to buy lasers from?
That show the trusted names in the laser enthusiast world

You'll be able to see a faint 405nm beam at a true 100mw on a normal night.

I wouldn't buy any of them because dinodirect isn't a good company to work with.

Check out Flashlights & Lasers - Blue & Violet Lasers (hot gadgets)
the owner has an account on here and seeming has great customer support, and a laser power meter too!
 
K

kaplosion

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Thank you for links, looking at them now.

Ok well for #2 which would you buy assuming I found the same ones at a more reliable dealer?
 
U

udanis

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kaplosion said:
Thank you for links, looking at them now.

Ok well for #2 which would you buy assuming I found the same ones at a more reliable dealer?
Click to expand...

You would be surprised actually, two lasers may look identical but function extremely different. For instance optotronics pens vs other new wish style pens
 
K

kaplosion

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Ok, I updated my links thanks for the suggestion. I will not be buying from dinodirect, but instead from priceangels. That being said I can't decide still...
 
K

kaplosion

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

Alright so now between Link2, and Link3
The LED is useless to me, is there any advantage to getting Link3 instead of Link2?
 
U

udanis

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

kaplosion said:
Alright so now between Link2, and Link3
The LED is useless to me, is there any advantage to getting Link3 instead of Link2?
Click to expand...

Well those ones aren't metered so they are going off of the mfg rating of 200mw. In reality they are probably <100mw.
 
K

kaplosion

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

Alright... Which laser 405nm laser would you get if you had a budget of $45. Preferably one higher than 60mW.
 
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udanis

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

kaplosion said:
Alright... Which laser 405nm laser would you get if you had a budget of $45. Preferably one higher than 60mW.
Click to expand...

I'd get one of the $10 blue side click-y hosts, o-like 405 driver for $7, PHR diode and housing from modwerx for $11 and wire it up and have a >100mw 405nm laser for $28.
 
K

kaplosion

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

Good sir, I feel like you are toying with me in the most helpful manner possible. I have neither the knowledge nor the motivation to build my own laser. I'd buy something like that off you but with the shipping it probably would be more than $45.

SO, I'm just going to use a random number generator to pick either Link1, Link2 or Link3 unless you think 1 of those 3 is better than the others

Thank you for time, kaplosion
 
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udanis

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

kaplosion said:
Good sir, I feel like you are toying with me in the most helpful manner possible. I have neither the knowledge nor the motivation to build my own laser. I'd buy something like that off you but with the shipping it probably would be more than $45.

SO, I'm just going to use a random number generator to pick either Link1, Link2 or Link3 unless you think 1 of those 3 is better than the others

Thank you for time, kaplosion
Click to expand...


All it would take would be like 4 or 5 solder joints to make that laser.
I would go with link 1 or 2.
 
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kaplosion

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

Probably the wiser move but sometimes you just rather have it made for you

I've decided to get Link2

Thanks for your help!
 
U

udanis

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

kaplosion said:
Probably the wiser move but sometimes you just rather have it made for you

I've decided to get Link2

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

Oh and I know there were PA coupon codes floating around here somewhere I don't know if they are still good.
 
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kaplosion

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

Hmmm couldn't find any coupon codes... If I can get the help of one of my friends from the physics department and use a light meter I might post how powerful it *actually* is. Now to order... hopefully, even at a lower power than advertised, the beam will be somewhat visible and the dots will be relatively bright with the diffraction grating.

Thanks again and nice talking to you, kaplosion
 
hakzaw1

hakzaw1

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Re: Help buying my first 200mW 405nm laser

I Like JetLasers-- so i am biased- but if you can wait -- they are coming out with a nice BR using the 12X diode. Matt(arythna) is on the list for one of the first and he will do a fine and fair job in reviewing it. I think JetL is planning to use the PL-C host w/ 18650 batt. should be a nice laser, and I hope it will be on sale in GB#3-- in early 2011. Check the GB section often.

Also you might consider making a WTB thread to see if there is a nice one out there from one of our forum brothers.-- often the best place to buy a laser IMHO

hope this helps----Len
 
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