Laser Pointer for classroom questions.

I have searched and read on this forum and some other internet sites and think I have narrowed down my choices and was hoping for some opinions/clarifications.

Here is what I think I know (regardless of Red or Green):

1. Use a IIIa rated laser (<5mw)
2. Should have an IR filter
3. Should have APC.

Here is my shortlist with links:

1. Laserglow Anser Series 532nm
2. Laserglow Lyra Series 532nm
3. Laserglow Altair Series 532nm
4. Atlasnova GLPF
5. Atlasnova GLPMH
6. Atlasnova LP-635
7. Atlasnova LP-650
8. Z-Bolt BTG-7M

And my thoughts and questions follow:
Reading the websites for each Laserglow / Atlasnova / Z-Bolt, the only one that lists the IR filter is Laserglow, if the other two don't have an IR filter I think from a safety standpoint I would remove them from the list (unless it is easy to add one after the fact and they aren't too expensive)

I believe all of these have APC to prevent them from going too high.

Is the focus ring of the Laserglow Altair worth the difference in price over the Laserglow Lyra or Anser?

Also, I have seen some people recommend Laserglow and Atlasnova but no real recommendations for Z-Bolt. I want to buy something that is safe, quality (don't want to break the bank), and is usable in a small classroom (25-49 students) as well as an auditorium (75-100 students). I'm leaning towards green just because it is different and will hopefully grab attention since it is brighter and different.

Thanks for the wonderful resource that LPF is and for your answers/tips/recommendations.

AS far as I know, Z-Bolt does not sell 532 lasers without
an IR filter.

Their outputs are are what they say, and are a good choice
of product..

Ive been a long time customer of theirs since 2002.
Never been disappointed with any of my purchases there.

Louie said:

Also, I have seen some people recommend Laserglow and Atlasnova but no real recommendations for Z-Bolt. I want to buy something that is safe, quality (don't want to break the bank), and is usable in a small classroom (25-49 students) as well as an auditorium (75-100 students).

Click to expand...

Z-Bolt just really isn't popular on the fourm because they only offer <5mw lasers. I have purchased a 635nm laser from z-bolt and I am happy with it.

Edit: wannaburn you beat me too it! Barely.

Louie said:

Also, I have seen some people recommend Laserglow and Atlasnova but no real recommendations for Z-Bolt. I want to buy something that is safe, quality (don't want to break the bank), and is usable in a small classroom (25-49 students) as well as an auditorium (75-100 students).

Click to expand...

Here you have a recommendation and the matched review.

I recommend Z-bolt all the time!
Most people here are looking for power, so the sites selling Class IIIa pointers generally don't get much attention.
I've done a couple reviews of some of their products too but that was quite a while ago.

I've bought lots of lasers from Z-bolt and have been satisfied every time.
Z-bolt's pointers are equipped with an IR filter. It is part of the APC feedback circuit. Any remaining IR leakage is negligible and will not make the laser unsafe to use.

DJNY said:

Here you have a recommendation and the matched review.

Click to expand...

Sorry DJNY, I couldn't find your post again today when I was typing it up, so I thought I found the recommendation someplace else (I had actually already read that one). Thanks for the review link.