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Do 160 mW lasers burn out of box?

DanW

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Hi, I'm new to these fora, and I just received my 150 mW + green laser (actually measured as 160 mW by the company) from Nova. Their service was great, the laser is stylish, etc. IAs soon as I took it out of the box, I attempted to pop a balloon, and when it did not do the trick, I applied a black dot on the balloon with a marker. Still no pop...

Will premium or fresh batteries increase its' power? If so, what are your recommendations? Also, would a 3 piece Wicked Laser lens cap set fit on this laser and increase its' burning power. Any and all help wpuld be most appreciated!

Thanks

Dan
 





Kenom

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If you can't pop a black balloon with this then either your batteries are completely dead, close to it, or the laser has been damaged in shipping. I can pop a balloon with my 30mw green laser. Takes some time, and focusing the dot, but I can do it.
 

Omega

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havent bought one before, but it may need focusing.
you want to get the dot as small as possible, and find the "Sweet spot" where you can pop a balloon easily.
150mW is fully capable of burning.
 

Kenom

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150mw is capable of popping that balloon without focusing. should even do it from 20 feet away
 

rathat

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Jul 21, 2008
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The Wicked cap set wont fit on the x series as far as i know, you should get the cap set from nova, it twists on and it comes with 2 lenses a line lens and a collimator which i still cant figure out were the focal point is. but it wont burn from far away but for like a cm away. my x100 can burn great but its a matter of keeping it steady because if you move it a mm, 4 feet away it'll move like 3 inches.
 
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My 70mw Xseries CNI pen can pop ballons instantly, unfocused up to about 10 feet away. Your 160mw laser should be able to destroy them.
 

DanW

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Thank you all very much for your replies and suggestions! :)

I was perhaps 7 feet away when I attempted to pop a balloon. The laser did not come with any instructions pertaining to its' focus, and I doubt if it was damaged during shipment... If the focus can be adjusted, I would appreciate any links showing me how.

When I first placed two "fresh" AAA batteries in the laser and trsined the beam on my hand, it made me withdraw my hand in a few seconds as I read it would. I assumed the batteries were fresh, but I do not know how long they were sitting in a drawer. The power quickly diminished, so this might be the answer.

I will replace its AAA batteries with the best I can find -- any suggestions on brand and\or type would be most welcome.

Thanks so much, and i will report back as soon as I try out new batteries.

Dan
 

diachi

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You do not need to focus 160mW of green to be able to pop a balloon, if your laser doesn't pop a balloon then you should try new batteries, like eneloops (Sony ?) and if that doesn't work send away for a replacement .
 

DanW

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I purchased some Energizer Max AAA-'s rated at 1,250 mAh, and I gave no more issues about popping balloons, lighting matches, etc. ;)

I prefer to keep the laser free of screw on lens caps and other lens accessories. I'll do some research as far as getting the dot more pinpointed by tweaking the laser internally... I would assume this would increase its' burning capabilities. If anyone can supply me with some links or the like, please do so.

Thanks again, guys!

Dan
 
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Diachi said:
You do not need to focus 160mW of green to be able to pop a balloon, if your laser doesn't pop a balloon then you should try new batteries, like eneloops (Sony ?) and if that doesn't work send away for a replacement .


fyi
eneloops are made by sanyo

and they are a great rechargeable battery
 

diachi

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Ahhh thats who they are, couldn't remember the name.

I hope you have some safety goggles for your 160mW laser ;)
 
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DanW said:
I purchased some Energizer Max AAA-'s rated at 1,250 mAh, and I gave no more issues about popping balloons, lighting matches, etc. ;)

I prefer to keep the laser free of screw on lens caps and other lens accessories. I'll do some research as far as getting the dot more pinpointed by tweaking the laser internally... I would assume this would increase its' burning capabilities. If anyone can supply me with some links or the like, please do so.

Thanks again, guys!

Dan

The focus can be adjusted internally, however the distance you will be able to burn will be reduced significantly. The lens can be replaced for better divergence but it's tough trying to find a lens that works. I wouldn't worry too much about burning power. 150mW is a lot for a pen type laser and is enough to burn pretty much anything. You should be able to burn wood up to a couple feet away no problem. 150mW doesn't need to be focused to burn. Focusing the laser increases divergence.
:)
Welcome to the forum.
 

DanW

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[/quote]

The focus can be adjusted internally, however the distance you will be able to burn will be reduced significantly. The lens can be replaced for better divergence but it's tough trying to find a lens that works. I wouldn't worry too much about burning power. 150mW is a lot for a pen type laser and is enough to burn pretty much anything. You should be able to burn wood up to a couple feet away no problem. 150mW doesn't need to be focused to burn. Focusing the laser increases divergence.
:)
Welcome to the forum.
[/quote]

Thanks for the information! BYW, what would the intense area diameter of the dot itself be at say, qo feet? I'd be interested in seeing a chart with the diameters at various distances for various lasers.

I definitely need to get a pair of goggles: the 160 mAh makes for a BRIGHT beam and dot...! :cool: I'll do a search, and come up with a name for a good pair at a good price. Until then, I'll just use it to tag different objects, and point out stars to my son.

Dan
 




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