New and Confused

Hello All,

I was referred to this forum by another ebay member and I'm glad they did so. I am a DJ and I have a small light show that goes with my regular gear. Unfortunately, I can't find any answers on my Dj forums to lighting and more specifically Laser questions.

I was looking to get a laser to fill out my lighting equipment but considering the cost, it is a tough decision. I am in the US and can't afford to get into permits and what not so I was inclined to stick with a sub 5mW laser that I would be using over any crowds. I wouldn't be using it in big rooms anyhow. I am looking to get something I would have at least basic control to get the liquid sky effect as well as some multiple beams in chase or strobe. Some other effects like the tunnel and text are cool but not my primary interest.

I came across extremelasers.com which sells on Ebay for drastically less but still somewhat of an investment from certain perspectives.

From researching, I have come here to ask a few questions:
If I were to get a laser light unit, could I change the diode inside it to go from red to green as an example? If so, what would I need and would it be very easy?
I am unsure how effective the red color would be over the green? My concerns are that each room is different and you can't always get complete dark.
Does a green diode module use different heatsinks and motors then red ones? (Am I completely off base on this question?)
Does anyone have experience with the units from extremelasers? The cosmic frenzy and club lasers look like the best fit for me but there isn't much stuff on the internet to help me on a decision.
Is there a cheaper solution out there?
Anything else I should know?

I appreciate any help you all can provide! Thanks in advance!

Hi mate, welcome to the forum!

To answer your questions...

1) To have an interchanging laser from green to red and vice versa you's need a unit with 2 separate diodes. A single diode is colour specific. And this would be quite a task to do, would take some time and experience.
2) Green is far more visible than red, this is because the human eye is more sensitive to green light.
3) The build of a green laser is more complex than a red laser, the module is different as there is a crystal and an IR filter. A green laser also always has a driver board whereas a red laser doesn't always have one.
4) Sorry, don't know anything about extremelasers, somebody on here might.

Finally, a guy called andy_con (I think it was him) had a site with things like light shows etc., he can be found here (you'd have to email, not PM him) or on lasercommunity.com, though I think he had sense and barely goes there anymore...wise! ;D

Unfortunatly, you can't just switch a red with a green module because you can't get green diodes for any reasonable price. The green lasers in anything you buy now is actually a DPSS green laser, it uses a big Infrared laser diode and shoots its beam through two crystals to get the green beam. Because of this, DPSS lasers are usually much bigger than a single diode, so no, it would not be easy to switch it from red to green.

What exactly do you mean by effective? If you mean by brightness/beam visibility, then green will be MUCH brighter than red.

The green lasers are gonna use a different heatsink because they are different sizes than red modules, and make more heat than red lasers; so the greens will use a bigger and wider heatink.

I don't remember anything specific about extremelasers, but I know something has been posted about them on here. Search for "extremelasers" and I bet you'll find some comments about them.

another option you have is to get a laser light show that has both the green and red built in and use both. I personally would just build something out of some basic laser unit that can be purchased at dealextreme. The tunnel is very easy to make as is the liquid sky. I personally have modified many of the basic $40 spencers laser light shows to have a bit more powerful laser in them. But when it comes to visibility and effects the Green is far more impressive.

I was unaware that you needed licensing here in the states to operate a laser light show above a certain level. Maybe you could clue me in on the specifics if you don't mind.

http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.com.cn/osc/index.php has alot of cheap laser scanners, but they all from about 30mw up to 1Watt lasers, check them out i'm still saving my money to buy one

Hi, and welcome to the forum! I am a dj also, but i own a 140mw RGY laser, but apparently there are no laws on laser displays here, only pointers The other guys have summed it up pretty nicely, but if you need anything else, just ask Oh and mods, you may want to move this to the lasershows section

Thank you all so much for the information. I am intrigued at the idea of taking a regular laser pointer and creating the effects. If it is something a newbie can handle, I would definitely like to learn how.

I work in an arena and have experience with permit requests especially with hazers or fog machines. The permits for laser shows are different but appear to have the same general idea. With a hazer, there needs to be a fire detail to be on hand should a real fire breakout and not some alarm created by the hazer. With laser shows, which we have done for Aussie Pink Floyd, the lasers just need to be inspected and then monitored not to be shooting into the audience. There usually is no detail for monitoring because it is the shows liability. I think the inspection is just limited to potential of creating harm or damage. Inspection could be similar to fire certification where a box is inspected by the manufacturer and then allowed as a standard. Scanning audiences is prohibited because the nature of lawsuits in this country.

Technically, we should get hazer permits every time we use a fogger indoors and a permit for everytime we scan an audience or use a laser above 5 or 10mW (can't recall). It doesn't mean that we do nor are we going to jail for years but it can bite us when something does in fact happen.

Here's a booklet from the FDA on laser shows in the U.S. It's old but it's still used.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhlth/pdf/llsgde01.pdf

You will need to apply for a variance with the FDA.