adjustable power output? (i want less power)

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a green laser. (i only owned <5mw pointers before).
The X105 sure looks like a good deal if you read throughout this forum but for some purposes it might be too powerfull.
For example: I would like to make a little lasershow for the party that i am having in my livingroom on newyears-eve.
You know, simple timetunnel effect, 2 motor spiro and some diffraction effects. I would also like to see the beams, so i have this aerosol smoke-in-a-can thingie
Since my livingroom is quite small, the +100mw is gonna be waaaay to much. ( I guess around 15mw would be good)
Also, the friends that are coming over are not gonna wear safetyglasses.

I was wondering if it would be possible to make a "regulating power supply" for the x105. Something so I can take the batteries out of the x105, and put my 2 wires in.
I'm guessing that if you use PCM, that it would be possible to downtune this +100mw beast, to 15mw with the correct pcm duty cycle. I'm also guessing that when you do this, the duty cycle that novalasers put on their website can be neglected. (ex can you turn on the x105 for 30minutes continuous on a 50% pcm duty cycle)

I would love to see a solution for this, because for indoor use, i dont see the point of using batteries if you can connect the x105 to this "powersupply".

One might say, why don't you buy a 15mw laser pointer then.. well.. I want to see burning stuff (with goggles) up close as much as anyone else!!!
(And buying a 15mw + x105 is something that my wife doesnt agree with)

I hope someone can point me in the right direction here.

Oh, before I forget. What do you actually see when you wear goggles ? Since a goggle blocks the light, can you still see the magic of the laserbeam ?)

Regards,
Highvolt

Re: adjustable power output?

If you want to do a laser show you would want a laser with a good duty cycle. The X105 has a maximum runtime of 100 seconds (as per the NOVA specs) and I am sure you probably want to do a show for longer than 1.5 minutes. You can get an Aries 35 (http://www.laserglow.com) for about $240. It averages at about 35-50mW and peaks at around 60mW. It would definitely be enough for your purposes, but even this might be too much. You can get the Aries 20 for $200... It has safety features and a great duty cycle (I'm not sure exactly what it is, you might have to ask them) but is bulky and large compared to the X series from NOVA. I have an X-105; it's a great laser but you're right, it would be extremely bright... too bright for a small living room light show. If you're using a fog machine or something, a 5mW should be sufficient (bright enough to see a beam but low enough power to not blind everyone) and it would have a longer duty cycle than a high powered pen size laser. With fog, 5mW is good enough. But do a test in your living room (with the 5mW green and fog) to see for yourself if it is bright enough. If 5mW is fine, get the X-105 anyway! It's AMAZING! And after your light show you can show it off outside in the night sky...

Re: adjustable power output?

Best option yet buy the x105 and a 30mw form dx total cost will only be
229$ for x105
24.57$ for dx30

So your total cost wouldn’t be that much plus you would have 2 green lasers and you could even do 2 laser shows : )

Its what I would do but then again I did spent the extra for the alpha 125 witch should get here soon : ) but its still processing after 5 days

Re: adjustable power output?

How about the option to power the dx30 with a powersupply in stead of batteries ?
Can i just stick a 3VDC wire in the body ?
Don't get me wrong, i want a portable laser. I just dont wanna switch batteries all the time when i'm working in my 'lab'

Re: adjustable power output?

i guess you could as long as its 3 volts i dont think it will mater.... i have 12 cr123 battries hooked up to mine in parallel and it runs nice : ) kina makes it labby but portable at the same time : )