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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Which Laser Should I Buy?

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Hello,

It's been a while since I've been in the market for a laser, and I thought it was time for a new one. Currently, I have my eyes set on three particular lasers but I can only afford one. The first is a 200mW Waterproof Red from Rayfoss ($50), the second is a 200mW Waterproof Green from Rayfoss($130), and the third is a 200mW Green from YoTang ($85).

www.rayfoss.com
www.rayfoss.com
China Wholesale 200mw Laser Pointer Pen High Quality Green - Long Range 200mW Output (Free Shipping) | YoTang.com

I already have a 50mW green laser, and the main reason I am considering a 200mW is for visibility. I have heard that 50 can look like 200, but is that true? Will a 200mW look more visible in the night sky and a lighted room than a 50mW would?
Also, is the 200mW green laser from Rayfoss have an adjustable focus? I want to be able to burn matches and dark paper with it as well.
As for the green laser from YoTang, does it actually output 200mW? I've heard that YoTang often sells underpowered lasers.
Nonetheless, which laser is the best buy?


Thank you in advance,
L. Connor

EDIT: I will most likely be buying this laser later on this week:
http://www.rayfoss.com/productn.asp?ArticleID=63
 
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AndyR

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A 200 mW green will look about twice as bright as a 50 mW. I wouldn't recommend buying either of those 200 mW greens because the Rayfoss isn't focusable and yotang has yet to be well reviewed.

Why not buy
www.rayfoss.com
or
www.rayfoss.com

both are focusable and only 10-20 dollars more.
 
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I suppose the first laser you listed is pretty nice, but even the $130 one I was looking at is really stretching my budget; And this new one is $143. Plus, I thought the waterproof feature of the $130 was pretty cool.
Would you happen to know if this focusable one runs any differently on a CR2 than it does the 18650? I am still weighing the pros and cons of each laser.

Thanks,
L. Connor
 
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Unless you plan on doing a lot of diving or snorkeling with your laser, I would not go with a waterproof one.
The extra lens used to waterproof the laser will degrade the beam's power by 8-10%, and increase the scatter of the beam.
Also, you will get artifacts in the beam unless you carefully clean the lens after each use.

Avoid any company or seller on eBay that has not been extensively reviewed here on the forum.
Most of their "200mW" actually output around 80mW.
 
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Re: My Fine Tea

Alright I think I am going to stay away from waterproof lasers if what you say is true.
Does anyone know if the following 150mW green laser actually outputs 150mW? It comes with a kaleidoscope lens that can be removed, but without the lens can it burn things?
www.rayfoss.com
If that one doesn't burn, what are the ratings of this laser? It is 200mW and focusable.
www.rayfoss.com

Thanks,
L. Connor
 
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Re: My Fine Tea

i read this because you made a tea laser whats with the title
 
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Re: My Fine Tea

I honestly don't know, the title randomly changed on me... Can anyone explain that?
 
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Re: My Fine Tea

I honestly don't know, the title randomly changed on me... Can anyone explain that?
You can fix the title. go to >edit>go advanced>then fix the title>hit save changes.
Does anyone know if the following 150mW green laser actually outputs 150mW? It comes with a kaleidoscope lens that can be removed, but without the lens can it burn things?
www.rayfoss.com
If that one doesn't burn, what are the ratings of this laser? It is 200mW and focusable.
www.rayfoss.com
The 150 will output 130-160,you can burn with it, but it won't be a good as a focusable one. the 200mW will be around 170'ish (or you might get lucky and get closer to 200)
Closer then with most unknown company's!!
I'd go with the focusable one.
 
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AndyR

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Unless from a very high quality company like Optotronics, I would stay away from high powered pen lasers. You will end up with a low duty cycle ( less laser time until it heats up) and a higher chance of an off spec laser, plus its not focusable.

I'd say having the ability to focus is far more valuable for higher powered lasers than $20. Trust me, you will regret it in the future if you don't have a focusable laser.
 
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Right now I am leaning towards purchasing the Rayfoss 200mW Green Focusable Laser.
www.rayfoss.com
It can use either a 18650 battery or a CR2 battery. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the two? Will the CR2 output less power?
Also it says on the page that the batteries are Lithium-Ion. Does the laser HAVE to use a Li-Ion battery?

Thanks,
L. Connor
 

AndyR

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I'm positive that Rayfoss gives batteries and a charger free with a purchase, so I don't think you need to worry about that unless you receive defective ones.
 
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With this hobby, you get what you pay for. I doubt it will be truly 200mW. It may peak close to that but it certainly won't be stable anywhere near that. I'd say you'll be lucky to get a stable output of 150mW. Not to mention what the duty cycle is or it if operates at TEM00.

A good rule of thumb, if the manufacturer is unknown, is 2$ per mW of green (unless it's a CNI build or an O-like module, or any other that is tested and trusted by this forum). Actually even that is pretty good.

I wish Lucent Optics was still up. I got my 120mW EnVee model from them for a great price and it was actually advertised WAY under spec. I get an average stable output of 150mW and a peak of 160mW.

Anyways, if and when you get it make a good review of it and tell us what you think. Oh and be careful with it. It probably doesn't have an IR filter.

-Tony
 
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Thanks for all of the help.
Right now I think I am going to buy the 200mW Green Focusable Laser from Rayfoss later this week, and I have two more questions.

www.rayfoss.com

The laser is advertised as 200mW for $143; Will it actually be near 200mW? I have been told that Rayfoss was well trusted and sold lasers that outputted what they advertised.
Also, the laser can use either a 18650 or CR2 battery. Which would output more energy, and do they HAVE to be Lithium-Ion?
Overall, is this laser a good buy and will it be worth $143?

Thanks again,
L. Connor
 
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Just note that 200mw green laser from YoTang.com is on sale now, it just costs US$54.99 including shipping. And as AndyR said yotang has to be well reviewed , so I'm going to buy it on yotang.com now.:na:
 
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Just note that 200mw green laser from YoTang.com is on sale now, it just costs US$54.99 including shipping. And as AndyR said yotang has to be well reviewed , so I'm going to buy it on yotang.com now.:na:

I got my 200mw laser ordered from yotang three days ago, so far everything is great, I'm very happy on this order. 200mw stream is really very powerful, so I suggest being careful when using it.
 




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