Anything wrong with eBay lasers? :(

As you can see with my signature I have a couple of eBay lasers in my collection, I know they aren't of the highest quality but what do you guys think of diode based eBay lasers, like: 650, 635, 515, 450, 405?

I think they're okay to have in a collection

-Alex

Hap said:

As you can see with my signature I have a couple of eBay lasers in my collection, I know they aren't of the highest quality but what do you guys think of diode based eBay lasers, like: 650, 635, 515, 450, 405?

I think they're okay to have in a collection

-Alex

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All of my laser pointers are eBay lasers. IMO there's nothing wrong with having them in a collection, especially since they're a dime a dozen. If one breaks (which it undoubtedly will) it's not a big deal to replace it.

Then again, maybe you shouldn't take my word for it since I'm a labby guy. :beer:

Nothing wrong with them, I have plenty of cheap Chinese pointers.

The high quality, higher price pointers are nice, but for the price you can't beat the cheap ones either.

diachi said:

Nothing wrong with them, I have plenty of cheap Chinese pointers.

The high quality, higher price pointers are nice, but for the price you can't beat the cheap ones either.

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H2Oxide said:

All of my laser pointers are eBay lasers. IMO there's nothing wrong with having them in a collection, especially since they're a dime a dozen. If one breaks (which it undoubtedly will) it's not a big deal to replace it.

Then again, maybe you shouldn't take my word for it since I'm a labby guy. :beer:

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Very well said guys, thx :anyone:

-Alex

It is hard to beat Ebays buyer protections if you know how to use them.

Having the ability to measure and prove something isn't to spec (under OR overspec) is a huge advantage.

Someone who wanted to, could build a huge collection with only $150 or so in working capital, floating in refund land, between buys that target unscrupulous sellers.

AaronT said:

It is hard to beat Ebays buyer protections if you know how to use them.

Having the ability to measure and prove something isn't to spec (under OR overspec) is a huge advantage.

Someone who wanted to, could build a huge collection with only $150 or so in working capital, floating in refund land, between buys that target unscrupulous sellers.

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Is it scamming to intentionally buy an item you know will be underspec, just so you can screw the seller over when you prove said item is underspec? I'm slightly conflicted on this idea.

Razako said:

Is it scamming to intentionally buy an item you know will be underspec, just so you can screw the seller over when you prove said item is underspec? I'm slightly conflicted on this idea.

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Did the seller make a silly and obviously false claim by saying something like "10 Watt Laser Pointer" I'd have less compunction about making this seller a "victim".

Somebody selling "5mw" pens that are closer to 15 - 20 mw (against the letter of ebay rules) I'm not going to mess with.

It is up to you, but I only scam the obvious scammers.

I don't think it's fair to lump all cheap lasers as eBay lasers. It depends on the seller and the quality and price. I have purchased many of my gas lasers from eBay sellers including my argon, and for really decent prices as well. Sure, there are cheap Chinese pointers on eBay, but that isn't everything to be had on eBay. I've also gotten some great prices on laser diodes on eBay too. Got some very nice lab lasers there for exceptional prices.

Hap said:

As you can see with my signature I have a couple of eBay lasers in my collection, I know they aren't of the highest quality but what do you guys think of diode based eBay lasers, like: 650, 635, 515, 450, 405?

I think they're okay to have in a collection

-Alex

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There is nothing to think about except the lasers you have and what you think of them based upon your experience with them---nobody else can have any reality based opinion on any of them. As you know there is no such thing as an Ebay laser. Ebay is just individuals and individual companies selling what they have to sell and/or resell, whatever they have , on Ebay --the world's largest "garage" sale.

AaronT said:

Did the seller make a silly and obviously false claim by saying something like "10 Watt Laser Pointer" I'd have less compunction about making this seller a "victim".

Somebody selling "5mw" pens that are closer to 15 - 20 mw (against the letter of ebay rules) I'm not going to mess with.

It is up to you, but I only scam the obvious scammers.

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That's fine with me honestly. Those guys selling the "HIGH POWER BURNING 5W MILITARY SPEC" lasers are somewhat of a plague.

Razako said:

That's fine with me honestly. Those guys selling the "HIGH POWER BURNING 5W MILITARY SPEC" lasers are somewhat of a plague.

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He finally got an LPM and now is an expert on all things laser. :crackup:

paul1598419 said:

I don't think it's fair to lump all cheap lasers as eBay lasers. It depends on the seller and the quality and price. I have purchased many of my gas lasers from eBay sellers including my argon, and for really decent prices as well. Sure, there are cheap Chinese pointers on eBay, but that isn't everything to be had on eBay. I've also gotten some great prices on laser diodes on eBay too. Got some very nice lab lasers there for exceptional prices.

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That's true, and some eBay lasers are more reputable then others.

-Alex

paul1598419 said:

I don't think it's fair to lump all cheap lasers as eBay lasers. It depends on the seller and the quality and price. I have purchased many of my gas lasers from eBay sellers including my argon, and for really decent prices as well. Sure, there are cheap Chinese pointers on eBay, but that isn't everything to be had on eBay. I've also gotten some great prices on laser diodes on eBay too. Got some very nice lab lasers there for exceptional prices.

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Yes, there are some great deals to be had on eBay - although nothing usually exception as far as pointers go. Usually lab lasers and larger equipment like that.

Hell, I picked up my Omnichrome HeCd for like £50 on eBay. Only had ~90 hours on the tube. Impressive considering the manufacture date was 1993...

Master Diachi, I agree, the older ebay stuff can be great, there are new lab lasers on there too which of course can have great specifications. I wish I could find more high power Laserglow pointers like the Hercules on ebay! They show up from time to time but not often. I have a question, this isn't the thread for it, but if I have your attention, or anyone else, where to find a SFG crystal for 589 nm?

Alaskan said:

Master Diachi, I agree, the older ebay stuff can be great, there are new lab lasers on there too which of course can have great specifications. I wish I could find more high power Laserglow pointers like the Hercules on ebay! They show up from time to time but not often. I have a question, this isn't the thread for it, but if I have your attention, or anyone else, where to find a SFG crystal for 589 nm?

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Is that "Master" as in "not old enough to be Mr." or the "having or showing very great skill or proficiency" "Master"?

I'd imagine demand for such portable lasers is much lower than that of a proper lab laser. While they are just as capable as many proper lab lasers (at least the lower end units), the form factor means there are less applications and as such less demand and less sales of used units.

As for the 589 SHG crystal, either eBay or buy one new. Can try searching around other surplus/auction sites but may not have any better luck. Going to be a game of patience if you go the used/surplus/eBay etc route. Much less common than your regular 532 SHG crystals, which are arguably the most common of all. Might try contacting Steve Roberts, he has a lot of optical components just lying around/in storage. If he doesn't have it, he knows where to get it. Can advise you on the correct component for your application too. Although, I wouldn't expect a particularly quick reply, he's a busy guy and the advice is generally free of charge...

Eksma Optics has LBO coated for 1064/1319/589 - they'd do the job. The only one I can see is $840 for 3x3x20mm. Other places will have them too, with other NLO materials and sizes available.

LBO-1023-02 from this page: LBO Crystals - Lithium Triborate Crystal | Eksma Optics

Holy dog faces showing teeth, that is expensive!

Master as in skilled one, I always get such good info about DPSS and other laser subjects from you, thank you again.

Photo 13 of 13, Yellow Wavelength Lasers - 561, 589 +

Edit: I'm wondering if I can use a crystal AR coated for 1064 instead and suffer the few percent loss for using an AR which isn't optimal, if pushing 1064 and 1319 from different sources into it.