Considering buying my first powerful laser

Try to visit also Elitelasers. Is a relatively new company with reasonable prices

drummerdimitri said:

The optotronics is a beauty, but it's price is extremely high. Please do not suggest other models than the ones i have narrowed down to because your not helping much by proposing to buy a better laser for twice the money. Thanks

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Ok no problem. You truly get what you pay for these days, especially with lasers. I hope you find what you are looking for.

-T

drummerdimitri said:

I've narrowed my choice down to two models: the RF532-200mW-FMK(IR Filter) and the RF532-400mW-02. I obviously prefer the body of the first one, but the extra 200 mW for 30 extra dollars has really gotten me thinking. Now my question is, what could I do with a 400 mW laser that I wouldn't be able to do with a 200 mW laser in terms of burning power and beam visibility? Thanks!

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The 400mW will be very very bright, and the beam will be extremely intense. You won't be able to use it inside w/o safety glasses.
I think a divergence of 1.5mrad for the RF532-400mW-02 is alright, but it doesn't look like it has an IR filter, so about 100mW of the light is IR, and there is only 300mW of green, that's why it's only $30 more than the 250mW (with IR filter). Plus, I don't think the -02 is focusable. :undecided:
I do think the RF532-200mW-FMK(IR Filter) is nice. It is listed as being 180mm (7 iinches) long, so it's really not that big. Being focusable, having the safety features (Key lock, aperature shutter), and the sturdy case is a bonus. :bday:

Ash, it's pretty safe to use high powered lasers indoors, as long the dot is at least 10-15 feet away and is hitting something non-reflective. You have a good point about the IR, but we should be asking Faona instead of arguing about it against each other. I'm sure she would be happy to test a random (02) unit with an IR filter, plus she will attach one if you ask and I know she'll be honest about it. Also, Faona can be modest about those divergence readings. One member got a laser that said "1.7", and the divergence was almost at one.

BTW people, rayfoss doesn't sell any safety glasses for lasers. I've read on these forums that a 200 mW laser will need safety glasses as they are extremely powerful and can damage the eyes from surface reflections etc... What should I do?

I would say get some safety goggles. Since you're saving up enough money to get a laser this expensive, you could probably afford a nice pair of goggles. Look at Dragonlasers, and OEM Laser Systems, as they have the best goggles out there.

What about shipping? It's going to kill me if I order online from dragon lasers and from rayfoss right?

randomlugia said:

Ash, it's pretty safe to use high powered lasers indoors, as long the dot is at least 10-15 feet away and is hitting something non-reflective.

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So you say. But I do know that (for me) looking at a 532nm dot that is >100mW on a white wall (even 20 feet away) is uncomfortable. Of course I don't really want to stare at the dot to prove or disprove the possibility of eye damage, so I can't say for sure. :undecided:
Perhaps you can for us, and report back your findings. :thanks:

The shipping from dragonlasers is $20 and $30 for the goggles. OEM is $50 after shipping also.

I don't have a problem with shining my laser ten feet away, and I don't think I have any eye damage... Still, like you said, just don't stare, and it's perfectly safe.

drummerdimitri said:

Hello people, I visited wicked lasers site and the new spyder III pro has caught my attention. Particularly the green 100 mW version of the laser. Now i have no experience in lasers, but I already own a fairly powerful chinese made 30 mW laser that can barely pop a black ballon from really close distances. The spyder's price seems to be reasonable after the price reduction. I want a laser powerful enough to burn things for the heck of it but also to point things out in the mountains etc... Do you think I should go for it? Also, I live in lebanon, and although the can ship it to my country, how can I make sure that the customs wont take hold of it? The last thing I would want is throwing away 328 $. What do you think I should do? Thanks!

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Why not do a test buy, with a relatively cheap 50mw laser from a recommended site:

Silver chrome green laser pointer 50mW [OLSGL50] - $29.99 : O-Like, Quality Products, Great Prices

I wanted a powerful green laser and bought an evo pro from wicked in the 40mw power.The price was inexpensive compared to ones I bought from Casix long ago, plus I was not interested in a laser so big I had to use goggles inside...nor did I want burning.My EVO pro runs on AA which was important for me as they are powerful and inexpensive.It is a wonderful laser.I was just outside with it painting clouds and local trees!(I wonder what the neighbors think?).
I bought it then heard of the negative opinions about wicked here.I like what I got from them.A lot.I guess in the past they were sketchy, but everything I have got from them ruled(which is to say was excellent).I bought a core for a present...I tested it and was ultra impressed...it was hard to give up.
From what I have seen, less expensive lasers are available.But I can't say if they will last.I bought greens when they were very, very new.I have paid 1000 dollars for 10 mw ones in the past...so the wicked seem inexpensive to me.However, times have changed!I will say this...the cheapies from the past failed quickly.I have a very good Casix that is supposed to be 5mw but puts out 8mw.And it is still perfect in performance.And compared to my evo pro from wicked, very weak indeed!
I endorse wicked very much, based on my experience with them.But I have never tried to return anything, so take that into account as you make your decision.
I hope I have helped in some way, and enjoy what ever laser you get!

Though I havent been here to long. Of the late it seems a lot of the bad opinions about wicked lasers have changed. Just look for recent reviews of their lasers. They all seem to be at or above spec, and my experience with Steve when purchasing my laser from them was nothing less than great. He managed to send me two lasers within 8 days the week before xmas. The first had a broken front apperature cover, so I emailed him. within a day he told me to send it back, and that he'd already sent out my replacement. awesome customer service. I'm just sayin dont rule out wicked.