Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

How to start?

zavy

0
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
11
Points
0
Hi, I'm new in the wonderful world of lasers and I need some advices.

1) First of all: a good pair of protective glasses, where I can buy and how much I have to pay for a good product.

2) Are there differences in the power of a 100mW laser red and a 100mW laser blue?

3) As first laser what can I buy? I thought to buy a 120mW Blu-ray Laser Kit from "burning laser"

is it a good product or is better that I search for something else?

thank you for the attention :)
 





Warske

0
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
145
Points
0
Probably best to go to the Welcome page http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?board=b_welcome

and read the stuf under "Important Topics," especially the one "Basic FAQ's... Read before posting!"

You might want to introduce yourself in the Welcome section with a post.  I have seen some folks get jumped on for not doing that, but it isn't really a requirement.

After some reading (and using the Search function to see if your question has already been answered), tell us what you are trying to do and how much you want to spend and what your skill and equipment level is for assembling and testing electronics.  Because one answer to your questions is to get a $3 laser pointer on sale, and you don't need goggles for that.  But I suspect that isn't the direction you want to go.

Finally, welcome to LPF! :)
 

zavy

0
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
11
Points
0
thank you, I have just introduce myself,

"tell us what you are trying to do and how much you want to spend"

I'm trying to...understand something :), I'm quite skilled in electionic work but I don't know enought about laser,

for the money...I don't know how much I will spend in future but for the first step I thought 100-150$ max
 

Warske

0
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
145
Points
0
OK, keep reading and using the search function.:)

Others will think I'm nuts, but based on your background, I would start really inexpensive so you can learn what works and what doesn't before spending your money on something sexy and expensive that you may find disappointing.  

So, get an LPC-815 and a PHR-803T sled on order.  You should be able to get them for less than $13 ea plus shipping to Italy.  Each one contains 2 laser diodes and a bunch of optics.  You won't be disappointed.  You can even use the lens in the sled to focus the beam, if you can figure out how to mount it.  

Next get 2 or more Aixiz modules on order for $3.50 ea or less.  You don't need them, but you will want them.  If you are ordering direct from Aixiz, buy one of their $5 glass lenses too, they are worth it.    

Finally, you need access to the following:
- Low wattage soldering iron with a small tip, some solder, and some hookup wire.
- DVM
- Variable voltage power supply good for 0 to 12 v or so and at least 0.5 amp (you can make this yourself using a wall wart, a LM317 w/heatsink, a potentiometer, and a capacitor).
- a couple of 10 watt or better resistors around 30 to 60 ohms.

Whether you want safety goggles depends on how careful and paranoid you are, and whether you understand exactly how eye damage can occur from a laser strike.  If you aren't always very careful and/or don't understand, then you need the goggles and you can use the search function here to find threads about that. It is, of course, a good idea to use them in any case.

While you are waiting for your sleds to arrive, learn all you can about them on this forum and by using google to search the web.  

When the sleds show up, be careful of electrostatic discharges that might destroy the diodes.  Harvest the diodes and hook them up to your power supply in series with the power resistors.  

Point the diode at white paper so you aren't looking into the beam.  Slowly turn up the voltage and observe the current through the diode, the voltage across it, and how much light you are getting.  Be careful not to push the current too high (you found out the liimits already from all your research, right?).

Next, use a magnifying glass or a lens from a sled and focus the beam.  Try popping a few baloons, lighting a few matches, burning some electrical tape.  Try different colored stuf at different distances.  You may need to use black magic marker and focus close to get this to work, depending on the color diode and how hard you push it.

If you want to get an idea of the laser power, you can build a Simple Laser Power Meter http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1239209882 or find a real one at your university.

This should keep you busy for a few weeks and give you a good idea of what you are dealing with.
 

zavy

0
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
11
Points
0
eheh some weeks for understanding what you have written :), no I'm joking, thanks
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
Welcome to the forum....

You can answer most of your questions yourself by reading the
information on the forum...

Remember.... the [Search] button is your friend... :)

Jerry
 

zavy

0
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
11
Points
0
I know the usefulness of search button but I have to know the words to search :)
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
zavy said:
I know the usefulness of search button but I have to know the words to search :)

Well... to search for "protective goggles" I would first try "protective goggles"...
It would not be good to search for "Apples" if you wanted "Hammers"... IMO

For types of lasers that you could buy... and from where... try reading the B/S/T section.... ::)

Here... I will spoon you this Sticky to get you started...

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1238368374


Jerry
 




Top