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Want to get 2 lasers, need advice.

Rifter

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Hi guys, im new to lasers, I know very very little about them. So I need some advice.

I want to purchase 2 laser pointers:

1. Want it to be red laser, Small, lightweight, low powered, takes normal batteries(Like AAA, AA, C, D or CR123,ive seen lots of lasers that seem to take 18650 or 1650 or some type of battery I have never even herd of) this will be used as a toy to play with the cats and other mudane uses. Must be 100% safe and cause no harm to cats eyes or human eyes for that matter, max range of 100-200 feet totally acceptable. Budget for this one less than $100. Bonus points if its rugged durable and waterproof.

2. Color whatever you guys suggest is fine. High powered useful for long range use, pointing to sky to be able to easily point out constellations so would have to be a beam visable type of laser. Ability to Light things on fire would be a bonus cause that's really cool. This would NOT be used as a toy and I would be careful with it so it can be harmful as I would be careful with it(will purchase appropriate eye protection). Long duty cycle important, so high heatsinking would be a plus. Would prefer it to be waterproof. Battery type not so important for this one(willing to purchase charger/batteries just for this if needed). If you guys know flashlights Think the surefire of laser pointers is what im looking for here. Budget $300.
 





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have a look at laserbtb they have red pens i think lowest is 5mw and takes regular aaa batteries should be safe enough.
 
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Yes, laserbtb sells 5mW pens, and they also have higher power lasers too. Sadly, it's becoming more expensive to get a true, reliable 5mW pointer, as the market is flooded with cheap overpowered pens.

As for your high powered selection, a 50mW green would work great for pointing out stars but won't burn as is. You could get a higher powered green, however green isn't the best color for burning and is very bright. A 200mW blue will pop balloons, char wood, ect. And work good as a pointer.

Don't forget to get some safety glasses with the higher power too!
 

Rifter

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Is there any kind of governing body for lasers? as in is there some kinda certification I should be looking for when I purchase the low powered laser to ensure it is indeed safe or has correct stats/power etc. Or does something like that not exist.
 
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Not really. Technically the fda regulates them, and in the US you must have fda certification to sell lasers over 5mW. However, it's become more expensive to ensure a pointer is 5 or less mW, so there are alot of cheap overpowered pointer everywhere labled <5mW.

This forum probably is the best source of info.

I personally bought a 5mW 405nm pointer from laserbtb and measured it on my laser power meter. It fluctuated between 4-5mW, but didn't go over 5mW. It also has a safety lock. They are one af the few trusted companies here. You can also try Jetlasers.org, but I'm not sure if they have 5mW pointers.
 
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A laserbtb pen will likely be overspec, so not technically eye safe.

For the "eye safe" pen I'd head over to Laserglow technologies and get their green or red <5mW pen. One of the benefits of their "meter it, if it's overspec bin it" policy is you WILL get a <5mW eye safe laser, not a 5mW maybe overspec laser.

For the powerful second option you might want to take a look at laserbtb's PL660-1000 - it fulfils almost all of the criteria you stated except for being waterproof. It'll be powerful and a good star pointer as red light doesn't upset your night vision. For more visibility with less power and a slightly more "fiery" red beam, they also do 635 in 180 and 200mW versions.
 
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i thought diodes cant be crazy overspec like a green 532nm for example? or can they. I mean if it says output power 4-5mw then it cant be 15mw or so? otherwise whats the point if someone wants a low power pen then u should not expect it to be crazy overspec if you ask me, unless its a green pen.
 
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I don't know what goes on in terms of the physics, but there are loads of people here with medium power HLs (300 seems to be a common one) that peak at double that and stabilise 100+mW over. The laserbtb pen I have is 50% overspec at 30mW, Tha Greenlander had one that was overspec, a few people have 445-1600s that are closer to 2W, etc. Overspec is what a lot of people want but for eye safety it makes finding a true 5mW that bit harder.

The fact is, short of buying an LPM and a handful of pointers, and metering one until you get a 5mW, there isn't a better way than paying Laserglow to do it for you :)
 
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Rifter

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Good to know it might be overspec, I will see what I can do about getting it tested locally as I ordered it last night before reading these new replies.

I ordered a 5mw Red 650nm laserbtb 2xAAA pen as well as a 50mw 515nm green 2xAAA pen.

Those are just to get me started :) I have been searching the site more lately and have come to the conclusion that making custom build your own lasers is very similar to making custom LED flashlights(something I have had some prior experience doing years ago)

So I am going to look into building my own high power build, something in the 700mw green or red or even a 1w+ blue. I have much research to do.
 
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@trencheel303
What kind of pen did you get from laserbtb that was overpec? My 405 fluctuates between 4-5mW. Now my PL405 and HL520 are overspec...

The main reason pens labeled <5mW are overspec is the increase in diode power. At least for non 532nm laser pens. Most companies will buy the cheapest diode, which will probably be rated for much higher output, and under drive them. However, it is cheaper and easier to design a driver thats "in the ball park" than to tweak each one till it outputs <5mw.

@Rifter

Yes, I would second building your own. It's really not as hard as you might think. It's also nice to know exactly how it's put together, and nothing beats the feeling of firing up a laser you brought to life!
 
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@trencheel303
What kind of pen did you get from laserbtb that was overpec? My 405 fluctuates between 4-5mW. Now my PL405 and HL520 are overspec...

The 635 in my sig metered at 30mW and is designated 20mW.
 
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Hak's dos centavos solo

the ON LY laser you should use for cats is the tiny ones sold EVERYWHERE

they use one or two flat button batteries...no kind of eye aware is ever needed with these.

many come with different tips you can add= -(diffraction gratings)

For dogs-- PLEASE just get a tennis ball and walk that dog EVERY day-
That is the VERY best way to show a og yoy love them- a long walk almost entirely while on a leash-(with you in the lead)
Laser dots CAN or may make some dogs CRAZY-- once they are obsessed its very hard and takes lots of work and time to undo tha damage- I have seen this many times- more dogs I personally know of became obsessed than those that did not. Ceasar miolan has done a few shows on obsessed dogs and the one addicvted to lasers was very sad. It was not an easy fix- the owner did not understand that his dogs was moserable- only wanting to see the dog's behaviour as proving how much the dog 'loved' the laser(denial) when that was incorrect.

I think its wiser to consider any laser to be too powerful for direct lasing into your or others eyes (including animals)
- It sets a bad example for those who see you doing this- its rude- and if you have ANY feeling for others who 'do' lasers as a hobby etc you will NEVER do anything that stoopid with your lasers- there are pretty much NO LASERS that you should hand over to children- and those that would be safe send a TERRIBLE message to kids- they have no way to know other lasers are not safe- or not safe-

Right now for less than $8 total CHINA GreedBay will free ship you R-G-& V pointers all way over spec and since there are IMHO NO lasers that are child safe- the best idea is NO LASERS.

you would be reckless and foolish to leave them stored or other wise with the batteries inside. - kids will never stop being curoius- they know how to put in the batteries as soon as thy see you doing that-

lock and key is the only choice

I am just trying to wrap my head around WHY many newcomers here that keep asking for 5 or less mW while almost every one else wants OVERSPEC.

FYI
I bet there are less than a dozen 'pointer factories' in china.

These make DPSS (NOT DIODE) 532 pens- Even with good quality control these do not all make the same output- so they got 'binned' -there are none that are made to be 10mw or 20 mW or 50mW these are all made the same way- they used to sell the higher binned ones for more- then the bans on anything 'listed' as over 5 mW happened so they now just grab and ship- no binning no testing --nada.

to the OP-- I cannot believe that you tried to find the answers to this with a search- there are at least 50 Threads started already that are almost EXACTLY like yours- PLEASE- do your own homework THEN come to us with NEW questions-- try different search terms- try google search- look at the Table of contents at Sam'S Laser FAQ- or make a friend here and ask them vuia PM-

This will be the last you hear from me-- until you finish your profile-
how we answer Qs depend somewhat upon WHERE you live.

adding this in your profile lets us know as it will appear under your username in every post-at least give up what country.

IF you put this in your 'introduction' thread(at our WELCOME section) thats nice but do not expect us to remember that or to search for it--

the other thing many fail to add is thier DOB- We need to know how old you 'SAY' your are- I strongly siggexst to any and all that you consider being completely honest- as IF you place any false info in your profile you will be perma banned form LPF-

all this and more is in the TOU that all 'claimed' was read and was agreed to --but almost none ever had.

If you are NOT 'age of consent' you should NOT attempt to EVER buy a laser from any member here-- get you folks to buy your laser - doing otherwise is beyond just being selfish- it shows NO RESPECT -- for this forum or its community.

hak
 
Last edited:

Rifter

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Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
572
Points
0
Hak's dos centavos solo

the ON LY laser you should use for cats is the tiny ones sold EVERYWHERE

they use one or two flat button batteries...no kind of eye aware is ever needed with these.

many come with different tips you can add= -(diffraction gratings)

For dogs-- PLEASE just get a tennis ball and walk that dog EVERY day-
That is the VERY best way to show a og yoy love them- a long walk almost entirely while on a leash-(with you in the lead)
Laser dots CAN or may make some dogs CRAZY-- once they are obsessed its very hard and takes lots of work and time to undo tha damage- I have seen this many times- more dogs I personally know of became obsessed than those that did not. Ceasar miolan has done a few shows on obsessed dogs and the one addicvted to lasers was very sad. It was not an easy fix- the owner did not understand that his dogs was moserable- only wanting to see the dog's behaviour as proving how much the dog 'loved' the laser(denial) when that was incorrect.

I think its wiser to consider any laser to be too powerful for direct lasing into your or others eyes (including animals)
- It sets a bad example for those who see you doing this- its rude- and if you have ANY feeling for others who 'do' lasers as a hobby etc you will NEVER do anything that stoopid with your lasers- there are pretty much NO LASERS that you should hand over to children- and those that would be safe send a TERRIBLE message to kids- they have no way to know other lasers are not safe- or not safe-

Right now for less than $8 total CHINA GreedBay will free ship you R-G-& V pointers all way over spec and since there are IMHO NO lasers that are child safe- the best idea is NO LASERS.

you would be reckless and foolish to leave them stored or other wise with the batteries inside. - kids will never stop being curoius- they know how to put in the batteries as soon as thy see you doing that-

lock and key is the only choice

I am just trying to wrap my head around WHY many newcomers here that keep asking for 5 or less mW while almost every one else wants OVERSPEC.

FYI
I bet there are less than a dozen 'pointer factories' in china.

These make DPSS (NOT DIODE) 532 pens- Even with good quality control these do not all make the same output- so they got 'binned' -there are none that are made to be 10mw or 20 mW or 50mW these are all made the same way- they used to sell the higher binned ones for more- then the bans on anything 'listed' as over 5 mW happened so they now just grab and ship- no binning no testing --nada.

to the OP-- I cannot believe that you tried to find the answers to this with a search- there are at least 50 Threads started already that are almost EXACTLY like yours- PLEASE- do your own homework THEN come to us with NEW questions-- try different search terms- try google search- look at the Table of contents at Sam'S Laser FAQ- or make a friend here and ask them vuia PM-

This will be the last you hear from me-- until you finish your profile-
how we answer Qs depend somewhat upon WHERE you live.

adding this in your profile lets us know as it will appear under your username in every post-at least give up what country.

IF you put this in your 'introduction' thread(at our WELCOME section) thats nice but do not expect us to remember that or to search for it--

the other thing many fail to add is thier DOB- We need to know how old you 'SAY' your are- I strongly siggexst to any and all that you consider being completely honest- as IF you place any false info in your profile you will be perma banned form LPF-

all this and more is in the TOU that all 'claimed' was read and was agreed to --but almost none ever had.

If you are NOT 'age of consent' you should NOT attempt to EVER buy a laser from any member here-- get you folks to buy your laser - doing otherwise is beyond just being selfish- it shows NO RESPECT -- for this forum or its community.

hak

So if I am interpreting this correctly you are suggesting I buy a likely overspec laser to play with the cats with instead of trying to obtain a safe less than 5mw unit(which granted seems hard to find a actual less than 5mw unit)?

Also my DOB was entered into my profile when I signed up(I didn't think I could have left it out I think its mandatory)

And I Live in Vancouver BC Canada.
 
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No, he means those bullet shaped pointers which emit a little red dot. Theyre small and pretty weak, I'd guess a maximum of 1-2mW.
 

Rifter

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No, he means those bullet shaped pointers which emit a little red dot. Theyre small and pretty weak, I'd guess a maximum of 1-2mW.

OK now I get it, I have a few small flashlights in that configuration, I always thought that those were the same as the less than 5mw pen style ones. Sorry for being a newb to lasers I'm still learning.

So laserbtb emailed me asking for my phone #. Now I'm pretty sure PayPal gave that to them but I tried to reply to the email anyways only to find out that this email address I received the email from does not accept emails, everytime I reply the email does not go through. So I have added my phone # to my profile on their website and am hoping they process my order.
 




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