Laser for Star Pointing

Hey guys!

After successfully completing my first DIY build (1W 445nm in F22 host), I got a call from my friend asking to see how it turned out. To make a long story short, he was very, very impressed and asked how I had built it, etc.

Anyway, his birthday is coming up, and I wanted to build him a star pointing laser. Nothing in the "burning" range, just enough to have a nice visible beam at night.

So, here's my thought:

My plan is to build a laser ~50mW, either green or blue, and house it in a C3 host. (and give him a pair of matching goggles)

My only question is: which is better: blue or green, and where is a good place to get pre-soldered modules?

I'll answer the first part of your question:

Green is much much brighter than blue when the output is the same.

For example, a 50mW green will have a pretty nice beam during the night, but a 445nm blue will not be visible at all. It all depends on how the eye is sensitive to wavelengths, and we're see green the best.

As for a pre soldered green modules, not so sure. However, if you're looking for assembled greenies, laserer.com is very trustworthy. Shipping may take a while, as they're in China.

Cheers! :beer:

I read one of your other posts and ordered some QQ-Tech lasers that seem nice

I have a C3 host sitting around that I've never gotten to, so I'll probably just take apart the greenie and hook it up in the C3.

As for the other two, I've always wanted a 405 pointer

Thanks for the Lazerer suggestion, but I'd much rather build it at least partly myself. It would be a much more meaningful gift on my part.

Yup, that would make a pretty nice set for both you and your b-day friend.

Hopefully you get a really overspec pointer because mine was mediocre.

I found it quite hard to see the beam in the sky even when it was night time.

Cheers! :beer:

Thanks for the advice!

However, I've been to Seoul and the light pollution there is atrocious.

Luckily for me, small-town Texas is nice and dark at night

Quetzal said:

Thanks for the advice!

However, I've been to Seoul and the light pollution there is atrocious.

Luckily for me, small-town Texas is nice and dark at night

Click to expand...

No problem!

Sorry to get off track, but how was your experience in Korea?

I'd love to know what foreigners think of here. :san:

Cheers! :beer:

Korea was really, really nice.

I arrived at the seoul airport really late at night, and that glowing orb thingy above the terminal was spectacular.

I stayed in Seoul the first night (amazed by the people watching TV in the subway).

But for the rest of my stay I was in Deijon and Gwanshu (I hope I spelled that correctly)

The most remarkable thing about Korea was how... modern everything was. Everywhere I looked, it seemed like technology was present and being used to the fullest.

Wish the US was like that :/

But it's a beautiful country with lots and lots of friendly people. Really enjoyed it.

Glad to know you enjoyed your visit here.

Yeah, Korea is riddled with technology, but it breaks my heart to see children, even those who are seven years old, staring at their smartphones all day. I think some of the traditional culture was replaced by technology, which may or may not be a good thing.

I'm also happy to hear that the people were friendly. I was scared for a moment when you mentioned people because of our pervasive xenophobia because Korea is mostly homogeneous, but I think our perception of foreigners is changing.

Thanks for sharing your experience! +1 for you.

Cheers! :beer:

Edit: Sorry, doesn't let me rep you. I'll do when I can.

Thanks!



Technology has most certainly replaced a LOT of traditional culture, not just in Korea, but everywhere in the world.