Wanted: ~= 200mw handheld

Hello,
I'm starting to get into lasers, I have looked around the forums a lot now and I am starting to get the hang of it. I think I'm about ready to get my first laser.

I am looking to spend ~$100 (but under is nice as well)

My preferred power is about 200mw but I can go lower or higher

I would prefer a 445 however they seem to be much more expensive. Green or 405 would be my second choices.

If someone does not have a built laser but they have a complete kit for that price that is even better.

Thanks
-Randall

You won't find 445nm for sale for $100 or under, but you could build your own for around that. You'll need to purchase safety goggles first, but once you have those, chances are they'll be appropriate for 405 or 445.

445 really only comes at one "power", so there's no cost savings by purchasing a low powered 445 - and I doubt anyone would run one THAT low (200mW) anyway.

However, you might be able to find a used 405nm around 200mW for under $100.

To be honest though, you're better off getting an O-Like green for under $100 new. Safer, and you'll have more fund with it than a 405.

I was looking at the o-like green however the only one I saw was over $100... Seemed a little pricy

This debate has been had many times over, BUT, my perspective is that if we're talking about some grand absolute quantification of what will make you the happiest for under $100, if you don't already have a ton of lasers, go green.

Long story short, a 50mW Green laser beam will be more visible (brighter) than a 750mW beam from a 405nm laser - AND infinitely safer, plus cheap.

If your budget is under $100, grab a true 100mW green laser, and I think it would be tough to find anything else you'll enjoy more.

ok thanks. What I don't understand is why everyone seems to be bashing wicked lasers for price. Yeah the Arctic is expensive but the E3 seems to not be...
Also how would the 100 mw green be for burning? Not looking for it to be overly dangerous but it would be cool to have it light matches

Well. Besides having to wait a long time, and maybe even having it stopped at customs, buying from Wicked Lasers is not a good idea.
To burn well, you need a laser that is focusable, and most (if not all) of wicked's lasers are fixed-focus.
I recommend a 100mW focusable green from Rayfoss:
www.rayfoss.com
It has 2 of the FDA safety features (keylock and aperture shutter), and they offer a 3-month warranty. If you are going to get that laser you need safety glasses that protect against green and IR: Multiple Wavelength
Most people get a 200mW red for less than $50 as their first burning laser.
A 200mW green of decent quality will be over $150, and with any burning laser you need safety glasses that are at least $30 to protect your vision. It's not worth buying cheap glasses if there is the possibility of not being protected.

Thank you both for your help, and especially the link, I was looking for one with the FDA requirements. How does the 100mw green compare to the 200mw red? Truly I'm not looking for the doom laser but it would be nice to have some power

The apparent brightness and beam of the 100mW green will be much more impressive than the 200mW dark red laser.

Lol I know that, I ment the burning aspect

The green will be a better burner than red, but not as goos as bluray (due to smaller wavelengths).
But, you will still have to mark matches with a black sharpie to light them with either the green or the red.
But with only 100mW focused bluray (easily absorbed my more colors), you will be able to burn more objects than 100mW of focused green or 200mW of focused red, but the laserbeam from a bluray or red will not stand out like the green one will.

Thanks guys! any additional links you have to reliable sites would def be appreciated, or if anyone has one to sell (with FDA compliance) Definitely PM me

Oh yeah, and +1 (even though your backtrace banner reminds me why I should really proxy)