<50 mW Green lasers:   How to make it burn?

On my recent trip to greece this march break, I purchased a green laser pointer. It reaches very far, and is very bright. But, I want it to make it pop balloons, light matches, or atleast give off some heat. Does anybody know why it doesnt?

You can't modify it. Try reading the FAQs

styropyro said:

You can't modify it. Try reading the FAQs

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Well, "modify" could mean a lot of things. You could put in a higher powered pump diode, although you might crack/burn the crystals. But if you mean witout any extra parts, you might as well just buy a higher power laser.

Where can I get one that can "burn" stuff? How expensive are they??

And does anybody know the distance this laser can shoot in the dark?

randomlugia said:

[quote author=styropyro link=1238103794/0#1 date=1238104908]You can't modify it. Try reading the FAQs

Click to expand...

Well, "modify" could mean a lot of things. You could put in a higher powered pump diode, although you might crack/burn the crystals. But if you mean witout any extra parts, you might as well just buy a higher power laser.[/quote]
Even throwing in a higher power pump would be useless. Pretty much all green lasers these days have their crystals pushed to the max. Adding more IR just oversaturates the crystals, the same amount of green comes out even though there might be twice the IR going in. And that is assuming the alignment with the crystals is optimum.

Xine said:

Where can I get one that can "burn" stuff? How expensive are they??

And does anybody know the distance this laser can shoot in the dark?

Click to expand...

You can get a laser that can burn for around $40. In my sig I have a link to a review of the DX 200mW Red Laser, that would be a great first burning laser.

As for the distance of your laser, there is no set distance because there are so many variables that will effect its distance. Humidity, ambient light, and dust in the air are some environmental things that could limit how far your laser's beam goes.

I was just looking for an estimation in like miles or something if it was just a dark night. Thanks anyways

And, I'll take a look at the DX 200mW Red Laser