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Good quality 532nm laser for stargazing?

J

jmh226

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Hi All,
I am brand new to lasers! I want to get a 532nm green laser for pointing out stars to my kids and am totally overwhelmed. I think that I want about 50mW? The prices online range from like $7.00 - over $100, with presumably vastly differing qualities. I don't need absolute top of the line, but I don't want junk either. What are some decent brands that are not just cheap overdriven crap. I am willing to spend up to about $80 or so. I am looking for bright, consistent light and a unit that will last me many years. I am in the US, and want to buy something that is ready to go as is - no diy at this point. Thanks so much for any advice you can offer me!
 





VirtueViolater

VirtueViolater

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Hi JHM,
Please, please, PLEASE be careful pointing a laser into the sky, lots of trouble there and our hobby has suffered from aircraft strikes. Welcome to the forum. As far as 532nm lasers go, it's hard to beat the 303/301 eBay lasers for price/dependability. They are not great quality but a great value. Other members here can recommend better quality lasers that they own. Sanwu lasers seem to be king of the hill on the forum atm,
Danny
 
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NightExplorer96

NightExplorer96

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VirtueViolater said:
Hi JHM,
Please, please, PLEASE be careful pointing a laser into the sky, lots of trouble there and our hobby has suffered from aircraft strikes. Welcome to the forum. As far as 532nm lasers go, it's hard to beat the 303/301 eBay lasers for price/dependability. They are not great quality but a great value. Other members here can recommend better quality lasers that they own. Sanwu lasers seem to be king of the hill on the forum atm,
Danny
Click to expand...

Dependability? I wouldn't say that VirtueViolater. Many people have had their 303 simply ship to them broken, or even die after 2 minutes! :D

When it comes to the best for price/quality I simply think laserbtb can't be beat. They have some of the best prices per mW for their lasers. Olike ain't bad too :)

Welcome to O-like,the source of good quality laser products at unbeatable price and perfect service !
laserbtb

-Alex
 
diachi

diachi

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VirtueViolater said:
Hi hap, I've had great luck with mine
Danny
Click to expand...


I've had great luck with my 532nm (Actually, several of them, I've bought 3) also - lots of people haven't though. I've also had two 405nm 303/301s die after mere minutes of use.

That said ... for $7 you can't really go wrong. :D

Hap - Seconded on LaserBTB - for quality vs price they seem to be the best choice from what I've seen.
 
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Razako

Razako

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Hi, I'd recommend the 30mw 520nm pointer from laserbtb
LP 520nm 532nm 1-50
There's even a discount code for this forum that you can use. This pointer would be ideal for star pointing and would be easy to use. Takes common AAA batteries rather than exotic lithium cells.

6% coupon : 109058640691)


 
VirtueViolater

VirtueViolater

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diachi said:
I've had great luck with my 532nm (Actually, several of them, I've bought 3) also - lots of people haven't though. I've also had two 405nm 303/301s die after mere minutes of use.

That said ... for $7 you can't really go wrong. :D

Hap - Seconded on LaserBTB - for quality vs price they seem to be the best choice from what I've seen.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 405nm is a finiky diode anyway, I built a 700mw 405 recentally and drove it at recomended current only to have it last 20 mins lol
Danny
 
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NightExplorer96

NightExplorer96

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Ahhhhhhhh! All ganging up on me! :mad:

Kidding lol. Yeah, you can get lucky. But you can also have them crap out on you. For $7 though, like diachi said, you can't go wrong :D

-Alex
 
VirtueViolater

VirtueViolater

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Hap said:
Ahhhhhhhh! All ganging up on me! :mad:

Kidding lol. Yeah, you can get lucky. But you can also have them crap out on you. For $7 though, like diachi said, you can't go wrong :D

-Alex
Click to expand...

As far as that goes....
There's members here that have recieved quality lasers that didn't last or were recieved not working. With a quality seller, you also get quality service also (repair etc.)
Danny
 
diachi

diachi

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Razako said:
The 303's are really a gamble. If you wanna go the 'cheap' rout, at least get something reasonable like this
Attack Green Laser Pen 532nm 5mw 18650 Laser Pointer + Charger + 18650 Batteries-12.52 and Free Shipping| GearBest.com
Click to expand...


Have you bought one of them? I'd be willing to bet that the internals are exactly the same as the 303 - wouldn't be the first time I've seen something completely different looking from the 303 have the exact same internals.

Either one should be a reasonable option though. With these cheap lasers you can always buy two or three of them - that way if one is terrible you'll still have a working one and possibly a spare too. Best case you have three good lasers. :D
 
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GSS

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Hi jmh, laserBTB is a nice quality laser that should last. I would also give Optotronics a real good look. Their pens just don't get any better and will give you years of service if you treat them right. Customer service is great and they deliver in 2 or 3 days since they are located in the US. Jack the owner will personally talk to you and yes they are nicely overspec.
As far as the 301 or 303's that have been mentioned they can be a blast for around $7 dollars and have the potential to be a great lasting pointer and most definitley a great back up. Beware of the 5mw rating though as they are always well above:):) Oh yes like has been said its good to order at least 2 of these 301's 303's as it just doubles the chance of a good one!
 
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Razako

Razako

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diachi said:
Have you bought one of them? I'd be willing to bet that the internals are exactly the same as the 303 - wouldn't be the first time I've seen something completely different looking from the 303 have the exact same internals.

Either one should be a reasonable option though. With these cheap lasers you can always buy two or three of them - that way if one is terrible you'll still have a working one and possibly a spare too. Best case you have three good lasers. :D
Click to expand...
True, but I like how the one I linked at least has a tailcap clicky.


http://optotronics.com/green-laser-pointers.php
As somebody above mentioned, optotronics pointers are also excellent and located in the US for quick shipping and service.
 
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