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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

American Based Laser Pointer Companies

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Aug 16, 2010
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Greetings,

I'm trying to get a green laser pointer for some public "naked-eye" astronomy programs that I conduct through work. I've heard great things about Dragon Lasers and Wicked Lasers (and even purchased a dragon with my own funding), however I just learned that my company will only purchase from north american based vendors.

Does anyone have suggestions on what companies to go for?

I've got reccomendations from other people for:

LaserGlow: Laserglow Technologies - Handheld Lasers, Alignment Lasers and Lab / OEM Lasers
Optotronics: Optotronics Laser Products
Nova Lasers: NOVAlasers Home

What are your thoughts on these?

I would need about a 35 mW pointer (seems like that's the highest to go for public programs), as the area I do programs in makes smaller powers difficult to use in moonlight.
 





X FLY

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Aug 18, 2009
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I'd buy the X25 or X50. Optotronics pens are really good too but the CNI pens (NovaLaser pens) are more "professional"
 
Joined
Nov 13, 2009
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whats there budget????? there are cheaper u.s.based distributers for basic 5,30,50mw pens with warranty...but honestly you cant go wrong with optotronics or laserglow its just all about your budget
 
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
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^ What he said, and he knows what he's talking about. Slick unit!
 
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Aug 11, 2010
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I bought the Optotronics 150mW (rated 158) from Jack a couple weeks ago. It is amazing, almost as good as his customer service. I've also purchased a 450mW RPL, a 3X Beam Expander, and a big pile of prisms and other accessories from him. I've worked with several of his competitors, but find him to be the best. The beam is VERY tight (seems tighter than my RPL actually, even with high-end goggles on--need to find out why) and it has incredible power. I actually used it to laser-cut a 3" wide plastic cylinder in half vertically. Took about 3 minutes, but the results were fantastic. My 450 would have melted it too fast, lacking the precision result.

Heck, if Optotronics/Jack started selling Harley Davidsons, I'd buy those from him too. :)
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
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I bought the Optotronics 150mW (rated 158) from Jack a couple weeks ago. It is amazing, almost as good as his customer service. I've also purchased a 450mW RPL, a 3X Beam Expander, and a big pile of prisms and other accessories from him. I've worked with several of his competitors, but find him to be the best. The beam is VERY tight (seems tighter than my RPL actually, even with high-end goggles on--need to find out why) and it has incredible power. I actually used it to laser-cut a 3" wide plastic cylinder in half vertically. Took about 3 minutes, but the results were fantastic. My 450 would have melted it too fast, lacking the precision result.

Heck, if Optotronics/Jack started selling Harley Davidsons, I'd buy those from him too. :)

Couldn't agree more. The first high power green I purchased a few years ago was the 125mW CNI from DL. Same laser that nova sells just less expensive. I enjoyed it, obviously you cannot go wrong with CNI but after some time it developed a nasty mode hop. In comparison to my Opto 150mW that Ive had for over a year now divergence and stability definitely go to the Opto pen. My premium 150 might be the most stable laser I own, and the beam appears so tight for such long distances. Looks go to the NOVA unit but looks aren't everything. For top notch performance, great value, and customer service amongst the best, I would go with opto all day. Thats an honest opinion coming from someone who has had both, and Im not biased as I have 2 CNI units and more on the way.

-Greg
 
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Aug 16, 2010
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whats there budget????? there are cheaper u.s.based distributers for basic 5,30,50mw pens with warranty...but honestly you cant go wrong with optotronics or laserglow its just all about your budget

The beam is VERY tight (seems tighter than my RPL actually, even with high-end goggles on--need to find out why)

Heck, if Optotronics/Jack started selling Harley Davidsons, I'd buy those from him too. :)

Thanks for the great feedback to this point everyone! Finding the right company is definitely a learning process.

I am willing to spend up to around $100 for one of these, and know I need a lot of power, but not enough to hurt things or be too bright. That's the reasoning behind 35 mW upper limit. I don't want people to wear :cool: to be able to see it.

The comments on the beam "tightness" - do the companies make a beam that can be seen in a large group of 75 people in full moonlight. I work in a place where the moon is so bright that a 5mW gets drowned out (you can walk around without a flashlight!). Will a tight beam get drowned out as well
 

jib77

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@Granite ... I use a 50mw greenie turned down to around 35mw for star parties near downtown Ft. Worth(inside the white area on dark sky maps) and it is plenty bright for that purpose.
 




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