I want a cool laser (sorry for the noob post)

Hello,
I'm sure this gets posted once a week, but I did search extensively and didn't find any definitive answers.

I want an inexpensive laser for burning, which I suppose is in the 150-200mw range.
I don't care if it is blue/violet, red, or green. I've heard that blue/violet and red are much cheaper to produce, so that works for me.

I've looked at 0-like and DX and a few other shops from a master thread on green lasers here.
I'm trying to spend the least amount of money possible here to see if the hobby is something I will enjoy.

I've already read about laser safety and I'm a safe and competent gun owner, so I understand and respect the damage that can be caused while being careless of misusing different tools (cars, firearms, lasers, etc).
My only experience with lasers are 5mw weapon lights.

Also, great forum you guys have here. Glad to be aboard.
Thanks,

Ryan

Wow Lazerer looks pretty good and reasonable.

Do any members here sell anything they build? I saw a poster that just built a 285mw laser for $16?

You're correct about red and violet being the cheaper burning lasers. You would need a minimum of 90-100mw of 405nm(violet) that's focusable to burn and about 200mw of 650nm(red).

That being said I would recommend lazerer.com since they guarantee the output of their lasers.

LZPL - 650nm 200mW Focusable Red Laser Pointer Waterproof

LZCS - 405nm 100mW Focusable Violet Laser Pointer

Welcome and enjoy your stay.

Lots of members will sell builds, off and on, though - usually for the more high end stuff though. Though if you ask around, someone may do an LOC/LPC build for you. Though I've actually been hearing a lot of good things about Lazerer.com lately.

If you wanna have a cool Laser you have to make sure you get a build with a exellent heatshink and integrated fan.

I am sure lots of members own or have owned a 200mw from o-like lol.
New Style red laser 200mW /adjustable [OLNRL200] - $45.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

Dawinzi said:

If you wanna have a cool Laser you have to make sure you get a build with a exellent heatshink and integrated fan.

Click to expand...

I see what U did there :crackup:

RyanAnchors said:

....
I'm trying to spend the least amount of money possible here to see if the hobby is something I will enjoy.

Click to expand...

Hey Ryan. Welcome to LPF. Doing your research and asking about a laser before buying is a great idea. Many people get ripped off on their first laser and then get the good advice.
Being a gun owner, I am sure you are aware of firearm safety, and hi-powered lasers should be treated with equal respect.
If you want a burning laser, you will need safety equipment to go with it. Really, all this is is a pair of specialized protection glasses/goggles that keep your eyes from sustaining permanent damage from the intense laser light. But as with all safety equipment, it only works if you use it.

So. For Laser (that burns) and protective glasses the cheapest way to go is Red:
Safety Glasses
Laser or Laser
~$50-$60
-note: Yes, Lazerer is a great new company that has overspec lasers and ships fast.-

Bluray will be the next cheapest, but 405nm is so hard to see that the beam is less impressive than a red of the same power:
Safety Glasses
Laser -I prefer this: Laser
~$50-$65

Green can be had at a slightly higher price, but the wow factor for green is 10X what red is for beam visibility:
Safety Glasses -I recommend IR-blocking: Safety Glasses
Laser
~$72-$$102

Good Luck

Thanks for all the responses guys!

Is a violet/green 100mw laser on par with a 200mw red laser as far as burning/visibility.
I definitely think violet and green look cooler, but if the red is twice the power for the same price, I will go that route.

Ash, thanks for the links and safety glasses recommendation.
You are correct that I am serious about proper care and handling. In fact, a laser seems to command equal attention that a firearm would in my mind.
With a gun, as long as you keep your finger off the trigger and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction 99.9999% of the time you will be fine.
One of these lasers can probably cause permanent eye damage before your blink reflex can even protect your eyes, correct? I will definitely invest in the glasses

Looks like it is way cheaper to build your own laser though (or rather, you get more power for the same cost).
Does anyone here build one offs for the cost of components and obviously decent compensation for their time?

Also, a bump to my previous question :]

You can always check the buy, sell, trade section of the forums.
Buy, Sell, & Trade - Laser Pointer Forums - Discuss Lasers & Laser Pointers
But, usually the member built lasers are higher powers and more well built than the China lasrs, and often times are more expensive (per mW).

I think I want this

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/1-2-watt-copper-445nm-blue-lasers-cheap-139-99-a-63859-18.html

That seems like a solid deal.
Cheaper than Lazerer, is it better quality?

RyanAnchors said:

I think I want this

http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/1-2-watt-copper-445nm-blue-lasers-cheap-139-99-a-63859-18.html

That seems like a solid deal.
Cheaper than Lazerer, is it better quality?

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That would be a great choice, but he is currently out of those.

You could also get The $139 445nm 1-1.3W LPF Laser Bundle from Garoq. You get to put the laser together on your own. He does the real work by soldering everything up for you.


http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/s...de-lpf-deals-special-laser-bundles-65112.html

They look almost the same haha are they more or less the same laser? (same host, same copper piece, same power, same wavelength?) Is one better than the other? Because I will wait until he makes more if so. :]

I love that they take CR123 because I get them for free at work (I work at a firearms dealer and we carry Surefire flashlights that use them, my boss gives me a free set every two months).

Those chrome "light saber" looking housings are pretty nice too that I see some of these have.

RyanAnchors said:

They look almost the same haha are they more or less the same laser? (same host, same copper piece, same power, same wavelength?) Is one better than the other? Because I will wait until he makes more if so. :]

I love that they take CR123 because I get them for free at work (I work at a firearms dealer and we carry Surefire flashlights that use them, my boss gives me a free set every two months).

Click to expand...

They are basically the same. You can't go wrong with either.