What do You do with Your lasers?

Hi!

I am brand new not only in this forum, but in the lasers world.
I did some research over the net in the past weeks, then yesterday I bought my first laser. (unfortunately I found this forum after the order).
Today I already got my first laser, a cheap chinese green one, cost about 10 Euro.

I really-really like it, it didn't even tought this cheap pen pointer will be this powerful. (I only remember that old red pointers that I had about ten years ago from the chinese markets).

It has got five effect caps, and it really-really spectacular even outdoors.
I just curious if all of the cheap lasers lost their power after a second, or mine has a wrong power button. (it seems after I push the power button it's very powerful, can see the green beam even afternoon, but after a second, it cut it's power to half. Still visible beam, still nice light, but clearly less powerful, more less visible the beam) Is it normal with all the cheap lasers?
What do You suppose to go for if I have got about 20 Euro. What to go for and from where? (are there any EU dealer on the ebay? I just don't really want to wait 3-4 weeks for a chinese laser)

One more question:
What Do You guys use Your lasers?
I mean... It really spectacular at night sky, It's a good boy-toy, but I really don't see why someone spend 100-300 dollars for a laser?

Thanks for everything!

Well first off, welcome to the forums. Hope you have read the rules stickies.

second off, here is
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other threads exactly like this, found by using the search bar at the bottom of the page. You will find the answer to your question there

Thanks and sorry for my ignorance!

Best regards!

No problemo. Consider making an introduction thread in the Welcome section to help us get to know you!

I put my lasers in a hole in my back yard and cover them with dirt. Safe keepings..........If someone can find the big box of lasers then they can keep the $1500 worth of toy

I have a pointer, a cheap one, and it does the same thing yours do. Sometimes loosening, then tightening the battery compartment makes it more stable.
Also, green lasers do not work well when cold. I took my "5mw" pointer, took it out while it was 10ºf, and it didn't work at all.
From what I have read, performance decreases below 65º.

Thanks!

So weakening of the laser beam is in connection with the batteries, or the power button, or it's an effect that own all the cheap lasers and it is because of some technical behaviour?

Can I make it more effective, more powerful with applying rechargeable batteries instead of the normal betteries? (I tried three different kind of batteries, but my leaser weakened with all of them in a second).

For me it seems its more and more weaker every day...

burning holes in cd cases with a powerful blue is kinda fun

I usually set my lasers up in a line and turn the lights out and just admire the beams. Hair clips help to keep pen lasers on and stops them rolling about. All the pen lasers I have can run and run as well especially if they're on the floor (my house is draughty and cold).

A beam stop is necessary for higher powered lasers else holes will end up appearing everywhere. I don't necessarily have a go to laser as I like them all, but I have a real soft spot for my HL 532 as it was my very first laser and appears to be built well. It's DPSS and the beam comes out straighter than my 445!