Need pointer for work - suggestions?

I don't know a lot about lasers. I've tried googling reviews, but all I can find are videos of kids burning things. I eventually happened across this website and it seemed to be a good place to ask.

I perform construction inspections and QA. I often work in large construction sites and have to point out small deficiencies at fair distances (such as pointing out a missing conduit mount in a ceiling or a loose bolt in the back of electrical switchgear). A laser pointer is very handy for this sort of thing, but I have yet to find one that works well. Most are too dim or have too much spread at 50' to be of any use. I had one that was ok, but it would die after about 10 minutes of use.

So I need a laser pointer that has a nice bright, sharp, focused point up to about 200' (at least 100') and is visible in daylight or well-lit indoor areas (though not necessarily direct sunlight). It would be used sporadically for a few seconds at a time a few times a day. I would like this to be easily carried, pen or even keychain form would work best.

I do not care about color, so long as it is visible in my working environment. I am willing to spend money for quality (and while price can sometimes be indicative of quality, it is not a measure of quality). I do not care about burning things, lighting matches, or torturing cats. I need a TOOL, not a toy.

I would greatly appreciate suggestions for specific models if you have any please. Thank you.

How much are you looking to spend?

I have a >100mW green laser pointer that I want to get rid of that should work well for what you need. It is very bright and is a "pen stye" pointer.

I am looking for $109 shipped in the USA.

My sale thread should be approved and visible soon.

This is bright, quality, safe, and has good divergence. It might be hard to see in direct sunlight, but otherwise it should be plenty visible.

Laserglow Technologies - Handheld Lasers, Alignment Lasers and Lab / OEM Lasers

Soren said:

This is bright, quality, safe, and has good divergence. It might be hard to see in direct sunlight, but otherwise it should be plenty visible.

Laserglow Technologies - Handheld Lasers, Alignment Lasers and Lab / OEM Lasers

Click to expand...

5mW is not very visible in bright light. Much less in daylight at 200 feet.

RA_pierce said:

5mW is not very visible in bright light. Much less in daylight at 200 feet.

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Laserglow Technologies - Handheld Lasers, Alignment Lasers and Lab / OEM Lasers

Might be a little big, not to mention expensive and dangerous. You sure would be able to see it though.

forbadideas:
You can check my thread here for more info on the laser I have for sale.

OK.

Well, RA_pierce lets just get this out of the way -- I'm not buying a laser pointer from you. I don't know you from Adam and I am not interested in your second-hand toys. I am not going to send over $100 to someone I don't know who won't actually list the specifications of the product. That's too shady to even think about.

Now, if you could tell me what power range and divergence would be ideal for my above-listed applications and could suggest some SPECIFIC models or manufacturers, that would be helpful.

And while $100 isn't out of my price range, it is more than I would like to spend. To even THINK about getting into that price bracket I would have to have specific product performance data. This isn't my hobby. I don't get off on shiny lights. I need a tool for work. I'm not going to spend double or triple what I have to just for the ability to burn garbage bags at 2" away.

Did you use these pen lasers before ? They are cheap, you can buy multiple penlaser for the same price. They use standard AAA cells. Convenient in use.

forbadideas72 said:

OK.

Well, RA_pierce lets just get this out of the way -- I'm not buying a laser pointer from you. I don't know you from Adam and I am not interested in your second-hand toys. I am not going to send over $100 to someone I don't know who won't actually list the specifications of the product. That's too shady to even think about.

Now, if you could tell me what power range and divergence would be ideal for my above-listed applications and could suggest some SPECIFIC models or manufacturers, that would be helpful.

And while $100 isn't out of my price range, it is more than I would like to spend. To even THINK about getting into that price bracket I would have to have specific product performance data. This isn't my hobby. I don't get off on shiny lights. I need a tool for work. I'm not going to spend double or triple what I have to just for the ability to burn garbage bags at 2" away.

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Hmm... Your tone is pretty hostile, don't you think? Maybe tone it down a bit.

I'll answer your questions, even though you do come off as sort of an asshole.

1. You are looking for more than 50mW for decent visibility at distance and in bright conditions. 100mW or more would be ideal.

2. Divergence should be less than 1.2mRad for best collimation at distance.

3. Green (532nm) is going to be the best color/wavelength for you since you are interested in visibility.

4. If you want quality that will last with the above specifications, you are going to want to spend >$100.

Just to clear it up, the laser I offered to sell to you is not a "toy." It might be second-hand but it is the best price you are going to find for a laser pointer that will do everything you need it to. It is >150mW, 532nm, and has better divergence than the stock pointers you can get from China.

For reference, look at the selection of laser pointers at NovaLasers and DragonLasers. They use the same components I used to construct the laser I offered. In case you don't want to check - their >150mW pointer will cost you about $400.

I would make the offer again but it is already sold.

P.S. You're talking to the wrong guy if you think I spend my free time melting garbage bags. Maybe you should take the stick out of your ass before you ask for help. Good luck.

forbadideas72 said:

OK.

Well, RA_pierce lets just get this out of the way -- I'm not buying a laser pointer from you. I don't know you from Adam and I am not interested in your second-hand toys. I am not going to send over $100 to someone I don't know who won't actually list the specifications of the product. That's too shady to even think about.

Now, if you could tell me what power range and divergence would be ideal for my above-listed applications and could suggest some SPECIFIC models or manufacturers, that would be helpful.

And while $100 isn't out of my price range, it is more than I would like to spend. To even THINK about getting into that price bracket I would have to have specific product performance data. This isn't my hobby. I don't get off on shiny lights. I need a tool for work. I'm not going to spend double or triple what I have to just for the ability to burn garbage bags at 2" away.

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You're a fool. If you think we are kids who use lasers for toys you need to take a better look around. You demand quality, but whine over $100. Quality lasers are expensive, both new, and used. For a laser to preform at the specs you want, you're going to have to pay for it. If you dont want to pay for it, then buy another "toy" that will not do what you want, and will die in a week.

Stop wasting our time, and cut the BS tough guy internet facade. If you want help be nice, and listen, or GTFO.

Soren said:

Laserglow Technologies - Handheld Lasers, Alignment Lasers and Lab / OEM Lasers

Might be a little big, not to mention expensive and dangerous. You sure would be able to see it though.

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Stop recommending lasers till you know what you're talking about.

Tech_Junkie said:

You're a fool. If you think we are kids who use lasers for toys you need to take a better look around. You demand quality, but whine over $100. Quality lasers are expensive, both new, and used. For a laser to preform at the specs you want, you're going to have to pay for it. If you dont want to pay for it, then buy another "toy" that will not do what you want, and will die in a week.

Stop wasting our time, and cut the BS tough guy internet facade. If you want help be nice, and listen, or GTFO.

Click to expand...

OK, I was looking for information because I have a rule about comparison shopping for any purchase over $100. Imagine that you are an adult professional shopping for a product when a the first thing you hear from a stranger on the internet is "send me $100 and you can have my old one." without including any further information. That immediately raised "SCAM" alarms in my mind. It should have in yours as well. So yes, I am a little apprehensive. If you want to be offended by my apprehensiveness, go right on ahead.

Lets assume that I am an educated man with a technical background doing some comparison shopping. I am looking for real information. When I say I don't know a lot about lasers, it isn't because I'm a fool. It is not because I lack scientific knowledge or the ability to learn. It is because I am not a laser hobbyist and this is the first time I have had to shop for this particular tool. I don't know what they cost and I'm not willing to throw money at someone without more detailed information. I have need of a tool for a specific application. Did you even read the initial post? I do not need to see the beam, just the dot. I do not need a survival signal. I am not a stargazer. I don't torment animals. I like iron sights on my guns so I have no need of that. I don't plan on trying to crash planes. I don't need to pretend it is a lightsaber. I find popping baloons annoying. I need a TOOL which will have the quality to reliably point out items that are AT MOST 200 feet away at a construction site during normal daylight working hours (though not in direct sunlight). I am willing to pay fair market price, whatever that is, for a tool of sufficient quality to perform that task ONLY. Devices which exceed this requirement would be a waste. Unfortunately the only advice I've received (other than from Blord and Soren -- thank you BTW) boils down to "buy the expensive one."

I was expecting information like, "yeah, I've bought 4 pointers from BRAND X and they worked great." or "Brand Y makes great stuff, but is probably too pricy for your application if you only need 200 ft." or "I have a Brand Z pointer at X power that works well at about that range." or "Avoid brand C, I had 3 of them fail." Instead of useful practical information, I'm called an asshole for being suspicious of someone trying to get me to buy a second-hand product sight unseen. I'm told to drop the "tough guy internet facade" but I'm not the one who started name calling.

So call me an asshole. Add those "anal homo" and "big mouth moron" tags to the post if it makes you feel superior (it definitely shows how classy and mature you are). Assume that I'm trying to have a "tough guy internet persona." I thought I had asked a specific question and I thought that a forum dedicated to the topic would be able to provide a specific answer. I provided my EXACT usage requirements in my initial post. I thought I was civil at first, especially considering the blatantly shady sales pitch initially presented by RA_pierce. Instead of information I get whiny children who can't seem to fathom why I would be reluctant to spend $100 on something that I'm going to drag through the mud at a construction site. If you're offended by that, Excuse me. I'll find my own information. You can go back to wasting money, popping balloons and blinding cats now.

Thank you for the reasonable replies Blord and Soren. Your information was a bit vague, but it was a good suggestion and you did point out what seems to be (due to the inclusion of more product info) a more reliable retailer. Thank you.

i would recommend you look on lazerer and o like ----this one is waterproof and has a durable body... Power Rock Green laser Torch 50mW /Focusable&Waterproof [OL-MRGL50] - $36.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce if you want one smaller you can try this one though it will be less durable than the power rock..LZTN - 532nm 50mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer

just remember if you want a laser bright in the day and use a high power be careful about your eyes.... if you want one that is decently bright but eye safe this could work LZTN - 532nm 5mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer Key Chain

its up to you but those would all work for you...you could also look at the others on the web sites i listed

Green laser : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce


Green Laser Pointer

oh and also the most important thing about good divergence is being focusable this one i own and can see the dot 1n a cloudy day 400 feet away at night 2 miles away. ....it has a divergence 1.2 mrads...http://www.o-like.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=165

and ignore some the people with the pole up their ass who like to overreact to posts..

forbadideas72 said:

OK.

Well, RA_pierce lets just get this out of the way -- I'm not buying a laser pointer from you. I don't know you from Adam and I am not interested in your second-hand toys. I am not going to send over $100 to someone I don't know who won't actually list the specifications of the product. That's too shady to even think about.

Now, if you could tell me what power range and divergence would be ideal for my above-listed applications and could suggest some SPECIFIC models or manufacturers, that would be helpful.

And while $100 isn't out of my price range, it is more than I would like to spend. To even THINK about getting into that price bracket I would have to have specific product performance data. This isn't my hobby. I don't get off on shiny lights. I need a tool for work. I'm not going to spend double or triple what I have to just for the ability to burn garbage bags at 2" away.

Click to expand...

You come as a stranger to this Forum and beat your fists
on your chest and expect to get what you want....:thinking:

I can just see you coming into my home showing the same
respect....
There would be microseconds between your disrespect and
my boot connecting with your a$$ as you going screaming
out my front door.

Nice way to make friends.... unless your agenda is only to
get what YOU want and the Hell with who supplies it...:gj:


Your needs are not ours.... we try to help because we want
to... NOT because we have to...

I would suggest stepping back a few steps and try coming
through the front door again...:beer:


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

zombielaser said:

i would recommend you look on lazerer and o like ----this one is waterproof and has a durable body... Power Rock Green laser Torch 50mW /Focusable&Waterproof [OL-MRGL50] - $36.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce if you want one smaller you can try this one though it will be less durable than the power rock..LZTN - 532nm 50mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer

just remember if you want a laser bright in the day and use a high power be careful about your eyes.... if you want one that is decently bright but eye safe this could work LZTN - 532nm 5mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer Key Chain

its up to you but those would all work for you...you could also look at the others on the web sites i listed

Green laser : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce


Green Laser Pointer

oh and also the most important thing about good divergence is being focusable this one i own and can see the dot 1n a cloudy day 400 feet away at night 2 miles away. ....it has a divergence 1.2 mrads...Power Rock Green laser Torch 100mW /Focusable&Waterproof [OL-PRGL100] - $72.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

and ignore some the people with the pole up their ass who like to overreact to posts..

Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I appreciate the info. That is exactly the type of advice (and product) I was looking for. Have a good one.

no prob and once you pick a certain model you like you can check the search bar below for reviews on it.