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Which laser should I buy?

G

Gamemasher

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I am deciding between a 445nm laser and a 405nm laser. I know 405nm is better, but just how much better would it be at burning? For example. which would burn better? A 300mW 445 or a 200mW 405?

I am trying to decide which of these is best for burning without being powerful enough to hurt someone if he beam reflects off of something:

http://lazerer.com/Blue_Laser_Pointer?product_id=236

http://lazerer.com/Violet%20_Laser_Pointer/LAZERER's%20LZMG%20MAGNUM%20405nm%20-%20200mW%20Violet%20Laser%20Pointer%20Water%20Proof

I also found this:
http://lazerer.com/Violet%20_Laser_Pointer/LAZERER's%20LZMG%20-%20MAGNUM%20405nm%20400mW%20Violet%20Laser%20Pointer%20Water%20Proof
But I fear it might be too powerful and hurt someone if it reflects off of a glossy surface or something like that. Am I right? Would a 200mW violet or a 300mW blue be a safer bet? How much?

Also: Will these goggles protect my eyes well enough from a 405nm laser?
http://lazerer.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=24&product_id=178
Are these good enough for a 445nm laser?
http://lazerer.com/LAZERER%20OpticPro%20-%20Full%20Angle%20Protection%20Laser%20Safety%20Goggles%20for%20532nm%20445nm%20Laser
 
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InfinitusEquitas

InfinitusEquitas

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All of them are powerful enough to hurt someone from reflection.

There is very little power loss in a specular reflection.

None of the links you posted are working, this is probably due to lazerer server maintenance...

As for goggles, there are several links in my signature.

Edit: 300mW 445nm > 200mW 405nm.
 
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G

Gamemasher

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Are you saying that it doesn't mater which one I get in terms of eye damage? And that a 300mW 445nm is more powerful than a 200mW 405nm? I saw you links but I was wondering about the ones from Lazerer in particular. Can a 200mW violet laser burn,light white things? I have a 200mW red laser and it can only really smoke black things and cannot light white tipped matches. How many times hotter is a violet laser than a red laser? At this point, my prime consideration is this:
http://lazerer.com/Violet%20_Laser_Pointer/LAZERER's%20LZMG%20MAGNUM%20405nm%20-%20200mW%20Violet%20Laser%20Pointer%20Water%20Proof
As long as it can burn, light things like white tipped matches and white paper, then I will go with it.
 
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ZRaffleticket

ZRaffleticket

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just as a note, 1mW of power = 1mW of power. a 200nm difference this high in the EM spectrum it shouldn't mean much of anything. 405nm is said to burn better because of its beam specs and objects' tendancies of absorbing violet better than red.
 
G

Gamemasher

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Are you saying that if my 200mW 650nm laser could not smoke white things, then a 200mW 405nm laser will not be able to either?
 
tfink660

tfink660

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Gamemasher said:
Are you saying that if my 200mW 650nm laser could not smoke white things, then a 200mW 405nm laser will not be able to either?
Click to expand...


Depends on how the beam is focused.. Both are capable of burning stuff. White objects reflect light .. Darker objects will burn easier.
 
G

Gamemasher

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The red 200mW could not smoke white things even when focused to the finest point I could get it to. Would, let's say, a white piece of paper absorb enough violet to burn as opposed to my red one which could not burn or smoke white paper?
 
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InfinitusEquitas

InfinitusEquitas

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405nm is a shorter wavelength, and is absorbed better by most materials, so mW per mW it will burn better.

To reiterate, it's not a question of power. 200mW of red 660nm is the same as 200mW of 405nm, the difference is in how various materials absorb different wavelengths of light.

Of the two lasers, the 300mW 445nm laser will be more interesting to you. In terms of burning it will be about the same, in terms of visibility, the 445nm will be a lot more visible.

Definitely get yourself a pair of goggles. I haven't tried any of the lazerer goggles, so highly suggest getting something better... links listed in my signature. The Uvex are the last resort IMO, and they perform a whole lot better than any of the cheap goggles from china that I've seen. If you can afford the step up, go with goggles from survival laser.

Better yet, save up for a while, and get CERTIFIED goggles. Yes they aren't cheap, but they are 100% reliable, and you only get two eyes for life.
 
G

Gamemasher

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I noticed that in your review of the Uvex you never tested them for 405nm protection. The review on Amazon says that it can take a 405nm laser just fine so it should be ok for a relatively low powered 200mW laser, right? Either way, the 300mW 445nm laser is much less powerful than the one you used in your test so I should be fine with them, right?
 
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G

Gamemasher

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I know never to stare into a beam, but it's nice to know that the goggles can handle an accidental direct hit without blinding me. I checked out the other review too and it handles 405, 445, and 532nm really well. I know these aren't made for laser protection and they aren't certified, but how are they so good at such a low price?
 
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InfinitusEquitas

InfinitusEquitas

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They are a better option than many of the chinese goggles out there.

As to how good they are, YMMW. Bottom line is if you want to be 100% sure you're safe, you need certified goggles, or goggles that you personally test.

The eagle pair, are a decent balance though... A LOT of people have use them without any problems.
 
G

Gamemasher

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OK, thanks for the advice and information. You've been a big help. Just one last question that never got answered for certain. You said that both lasers in question have about the same burning power. Should they be able to burn white paper? I'm just wondering because it would be nice if they could.
 
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InfinitusEquitas

InfinitusEquitas

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The 405nm will. I'm not so sure about the 445nm. For other, non white materials, they will burn about the same.

Trust me, the burning gets old FAST.
 
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