Please don't waste money on $30 Chinese made garbage.
I totally disagree. I think the cheaper lasers, something like a 301 or 303, is a perfect first laser, for several reasons.
First, if your interest in lasers is just a passing thing (and sometimes it is, nothing wrong with that) then you aren't out a lot of money. Much better to only spend 30 or 40 dollars before losing interest, instead of 200.
Second, if something should happen to your 301, such as dying, catching on fire, or getting lost, then again, you aren't out a lot of money. The 301 lasers get a lot of bad press for poor quality, and while some of that is deserved, not all of it is. The only 301's I've actually had die on me were 405nm (violet) lasers. In neither case were the deaths due to abuse; the diodes just crapped out. My other 301's, one of which is a 405nm and also the first >5mW laser I bought, all work just fine. The only issue they seem to have in common is that the plastic lenses aren't very durable and can be damaged by even gentle cleaning. But, you can replace them if you know what size lens to get - most take 5mm or 6mm lenses. The 303's can use the glass lenses from DTR and/or the good-quality acrylic lenses from AixiZ, and that makes replacement much easier.
Third, 301's are really fun. They are momentary on/off just like your 5mW presentation pointers, except much higher power.
Fourth, regarding the lenses, it's actually pretty simple to mod/customize the optics on 301's. You just need to remove the stock front end, and also know what threads yours has on the diode module. Most of them today have M11x0.5 threads, which is the same as the common AixiZ uses (not for the lens barrel, the other threads). You can then install an AixiZ single-element, a 3-element, or even a G-lens. If the lens cannot be adjusted to focus properly (happens with green DPSS lasers), you can just build a custom lens barrel by taking apart a 3-element, and removing all but the AR-coated meniscus lens. Building custom lens barrels is a lot of fun and teaches you a lot about adjusting the position of the lens to get just the right focus, and best of all you get to decide what is right. Plus, the modded lasers look cool, too.
In conclusion, I think the 301 makes a good introductory laser. If it really piques your interest further and makes you want to build your own, that was money well spent. If it doesn't, well, you don't lose much.
Here, check out
this link. I ordered this laser from Fasttech.com a few weeks back. There was a minor shipping screw-up but USPS sorted it out and I received the laser just fine. I have no idea if it's really 200mW, but it's brighter than my Laserer LZCS 532nm, which the manufacturer measured to be 112mW of green. So it is apparently above that, which I'm happy with. Rock solid unit from what I can tell.
Avoid buying any lasers on ebay. They are only 10 bucks but with 301's I think you get what you pay for; the ebay units I bought were terrible. The one from Fasttech is pretty good, and would be good for a first laser. Go check it out. If you order one and find that you've got "the bug" then you're all set to build your own, something like a C6 for starters
Just my 0.02 of course
eta: Also, as far as I know, the 301's and the like still have reverse polarity protection, which I think is a good feature to have if one is new to owning high-power lasers. It's just one less way to accidentally break the laser, so that's good.
rep!