Another newbie looking for help to buy

Hey I'm new on the forum and to lasers and I need some help. I've been spending some time reading as many posts as I thought might help me learn about lasers including the very helpful guide to buying a first GL. I'm trying to make a decent decision to buy my first and maybe my only green laser.

Like so many other newbie's who are fascinated with laser light, I'm trying to figure out what's the most bang for the buck. I have a set limit of funds to spend of about $200.00 +/-. If it were really critical I would consider more, but at this point it seems it would be over kill for me.

Primarily I'm interested in as bright and as strong of a beam for star gazing as I can get. I want to have fun and impress both myself and my friends. I'll also use this during daylight in the construction business as a pointer on buildings. At this point I don't think I'm too concerned with burning, however once I get one I may discover a new interest.

To achieve this goal, a couple of things that seem most important other than build quality are battery power and divergence. After reading a number of your posts, this could almost be an easy decision with the numerous high recommendations given about Rayfoss and O-like as it sounds like it's hard to go wrong with either one. But then I read on to where Dragonlasers are better as well as Optotronics. Of course the prices are lower with Foss & O-like but maybe there's something I wouldn't be getting that would be worth paying for with DL & Optotronics products. I'm value oriented so I'd like to understand the difference and if it would be worth it to someone like myself. One of those elements could be divergence as many of Foss's are <1.5 or even <1.7. I understand where it's better to be closer to 1.0 and the DL & Optotronics seem to offer this standard being <1.2. I wonder just how much of a difference there is in comparison. From what I've read, all of these suppliers are pretty much over-spec and guarantee it one way or the other, so that shouldn't be an issue. Also, the duty cycle thing to follow isn't a biggie, but would certainly be better to not worry about. Seems like wanting that feature would negate the budget.

So if you can help out with some more info. & recommendations, I would appreciate it much. :thanks:

Beamcheap.com // O-like.com If you live in the US

Dealextreme.com // If you live out of the US

There you go have a nice day any questions just PM me or reply to this thread

**Edit**

Welcome to the forum

Welcome.
Seems that you have read a good bit before posting so you may know that reflections off of any shiny object can cause eye damage. Since your buildings would be under construction the windows might not be installed but keep in mind alot of things could cause reflections into other buildings nearby (if there are any).

Also since you wish to use it while at the construction business do consider there are some legal issues that might concern you.
If you live in the USA for example the FDA requires a key switch & other safety features for a >5mW laser to be legal in the USA. Lasers on many chinese sites would be illegal.
Simply shinning into the sky could be illegal in some areas & also just depending on how they wish to interpret the laws.
You may have already been aware but I thought it best to mention.

You might wish to read LSRFAQ post where he speaks of the problems with using lasers in "navigational airspace" aka anywhere outdoors.

If you don't get one with a key switch please keep it locked away if you stay somewhere with children or teens.

to the Forum..

Cooler7 said:

Beamcheap.com // O-like.com If you live in the US

Dealextreme.com // If you live out of the US

Click to expand...

Stay away from BeamCheap... I think cooler7 is in bed with Beamcheap...:thinking:
Beamcheap is known to exaggerate the truth and he is no longer allowed to sell on this Forum..
Go directly to O-Like or RayFoss instead.....
DX Lasers are generally Under Spec but cheap... IMO

BTW... don't forget to acquire appropriate Laser Safety Goggles...


Jerry

Cooler7 said:

Beamcheap.com // O-like.com If you live in the US

Dealextreme.com // If you live out of the US

There you go have a nice day any questions just PM me or reply to this thread

**Edit**

Welcome to the forum

Click to expand...

Thanks. I think I've pretty much narrowed it down to buying from one of the 4 vendors I mentioned in my post.

HaloBlu said:

Welcome.
Seems that you have read a good bit before posting so you may know that reflections off of any shiny object can cause eye damage. Since your buildings would be under construction the windows might not be installed but keep in mind alot of things could cause reflections into other buildings nearby (if there are any).

Also since you wish to use it while at the construction business do consider there are some legal issues that might concern you.
If you live in the USA for example the FDA requires a key switch & other safety features for a >5mW laser to be legal in the USA. Lasers on many chinese sites would be illegal.
Simply shinning into the sky could be illegal in some areas & also just depending on how they wish to interpret the laws.
You may have already been aware but I thought it best to mention.

You might wish to read LSRFAQ post where he speaks of the problems with using lasers in "navigational airspace" aka anywhere outdoors.

If you don't get one with a key switch please keep it locked away if you stay somewhere with children or teens.

Click to expand...

Thanks for those comments. I am aware of shiny objects becoming relay points, but rethinking, you're right about possible reflections into other buildings or into the target building itself . Even when being careful there's still a possibility of this because of all of the new building materials entering the market. Many have a sheen or some type of reflective property. So this may not be a good idea to use as a tool, better safer than sorry and just keep it in the sky. Maybe for work a class 3a or less would be better suited albeit caution as well. I have an old red laser that's useless in daylight.

how they wish to interpret the laws

Click to expand...

Yes the lawyers! I read on the link you posted and basically we're all probably at risk using anything >5mw. So this underscores the common sense rules about not pointing it at aircraft, etc. Obviously these powerful lasers should never be pointed at any person, to add any living thing, or any vehicle of any kind. Certainly someone could be hurt and/or you could be deemed a threat to security. Having said that, I live in suburbia and doubt that if I'm pointing at the stars with no visible aircraft insight for 1-2 minute increments that I will have an investigator knocking at my door. (Unless of course I happen to have the wrong neighbor.)

By purchasing from Rayfoss, O-like, DL, or Optotronics, I would only receive an FDA product with all of the required standards such as you mentioned - correct?

So what battery power, what divergence and what manufacture answers best what I'm looking for?

lasersbee said:

to the Forum..



Stay away from BeamCheap... I think cooler7 is in bed with Beamcheap...:thinking:
Beamcheap is known to exaggerate the truth and he is no longer allowed to sell on this Forum..
Go directly to O-Like or RayFoss instead.....
DX Lasers are generally Under Spec but cheap... IMO

BTW... don't forget to acquire appropriate Laser Safety Goggles...

Jerry

Click to expand...

I've already ruled out the vendors he mentioned - Thanks

Exactly when does someone need to wear glasses. I understood that as long as you are only looking at the beam such as for astronomy, they are not necessary. But if for example you look at the dot on a surface or while burning, than they are absolutely required.

Oh, and thanks for the welcome's. Glad to be here. It's great to have folks to consult with about these things. I hope I can contribute to the forum in some way.

Found this and helps answer some questions. Genuine Vs Shoddy

Still looking for vendor input/recomendations.

If a non IR laser is spec'ed at actual 100mw, would there be any difference compared to one spec'ed 100mw including a 95% IR filter? According to what I read, an IR filter makes a huge difference.

As all vendors are in Asia, it's a little hard to call and ask questions.