Laser

If i am going to start off with my first laser what power should i get?

lasermaster said:

If i am going to start off with my first laser what power should i get?

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Well - first off - it depends on the wavelength, and budget !

I suggest Green - because of the high visibility, and the most power you feel safe handling !
You can start out with a 5mw - and get VERY impressed by the ability to see the beam at night - then move up, and up and up ! The Dragon lasers 125mw is a NICE unit - but then again, so is the Envee if you are talking a "lower" price range. I would really stay away from Ebay to purchase lasers unless you really know what you are doing - and buying. Not all of them are IR filtered, nor is the quality up there that high. A 5mw Leadlight is a great place to start - and if the laser I sent to Dragonfusion EVER shows up (shipped to Hawaii via USPS last Tuesday) he'll be able to chime in and agree !

start off with 15mW, that way you can learn how to use a high-powered laser. you won't be able to burn anything, but i would NOT start off with one that can do any damage. you can always get a stronger one later.

and beleive me, even without burning, you'll be amazed with a 15mW forever. i was, until i finally upgraded.

anything stronger than 35mW you MIGHT be able to burn with, but you WILL need goggles. goggles are about $50, so any laser above automatically add $50 to the cost, consider it part of the cost of the laser.

AGREED ! Sorry I left that part out - so much easier to just go ahead and buy a pair of good goggles (Check Wicked Lasers for a good price)now, than to regret it later !

lasermaster said:

If i am going to start off with my first laser what power should i get?

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I'd say go with what you can afford and get some goggles if you want a high powered laser. If your like me then you may not be satisfied with a toy and want a beast instead.

Atlasnova will sell you a special 30+mw 532nm for $69.00 . it is a high spec leadlight 105. I bought one and I love it. However you must speak to the owner personally to get it. Ask for the cpf special. see atlasnova.com for 800 number to call them.

Neo

[highlight]Quote from windstrings on Today at 8:56pm:
Quote from Timelord on Today at 2:12am:
Quote from lasermaster on Yesterday at 10:32pm:
If i am going to start off with my first laser what power should i get?

I'd say go with what you can afford and get some goggles if you want a high powered laser. If your like me then you may not be satisfied with a toy and want a beast instead.  

I agree.... it just fits my personality to get what I want and be done with it...

I hate to have anything laying around I'm not gonna use... I suggest not to buy a laser so weak that you "know" you will be  upgradeing anyway. Why waste your money if your going to outgrow it in 2 weeks?

If your an adult you can just learn how to play with it safely and just don't let your kids play with it.

YOu have to decide what best for you.

But I will say get one thats good enough to cover most of your bases rather than buyihg 5 before you finally get what you want.

1. Portability... will it fit in a pocket... do  you want it to?
2. Power..... What do you really want to be able to do?.... see the beam in a lighted room?... be able to show off and burn etc or just as a pointer for looking at the stars at night?
3. Quality.....generally the more portable, the more fragile... the body has less mass to absorb heat and so runtimes will be less..... batteries are smaller too.
4. Elusiveness...... Do you want to be able to take it to work, church.. or anywhere without suspicion of having a high powered laser in your pocket?
5. Warranty...... don't buy from ebay..... I"ve learned that everybody knows what the quality cost.... just pay the money and be happy. Quick ebay lasers will almost always bite you.
6. Price... do some reading on these forums... some are overated... some are a good value for the money....
Just how bullet proof do you need it to be?


I'm inclined to say... and 125mw will do the job for most everything.... any less, you will suffer in the burn department, any more is just glory and excess.. and  you will most likely be forced to buy a larger less portable unit.... but if you have the money.. go for it!

You have to factor in your values and how many bucks your willing to cough up! [/highlight]

VERY well said - I agree so much, that I am going to split this off of this thread - into a sticky, and lock it for all to read.  I quoted you, so it will stay up here, in this thread - but you summarized every want, and need, and logic in one message.  Well done !
(sorry for the annoying highlight color)

Woah!.. thats bright for this early in the morning!...

Yeah - sorry about the color

Well, I'm honored that you posted something I had to say.. I guess now I"m famous?.....
Can I get the money that goes along with that too, so I can be  "Rich and Famous".. . I think I'm doing ok in the fame department.. I need more rich!  LOL!....

The only other thing I would add to that is....
7. Looks.... How pleasing is it to behold?.. What's the "wow factor?"... does it look like several hundred dollars worth of quality?.. whether it be a " supposed pen"   or laser?.. or does it look like something  you bought in a 7 - 11 somewhere and that you got ripped off?... LOL!... you  may want that... if you want to look even more inconspicuous!!!   :
I personally like the look of fine quality and class.. whether it be the "pen look" or a machined piece of art and sophistication.