Green Laser For Astronomy

Hello Gentlemen,
I am an amateur Astronomer and I have begun to see more and more green pointers being used to point out stars and other such objects in the night sky and i think its time i got one myself...Now i have seen a few ppl with some 35mw lasers and they are bright but i have a bit of competitive streak . So the question is what is the best green laser with the highest mw output i can get for $180 or less shipped? I have heard alot of ppl say go with rayfoss but the site is down:thinking:soo i did some research on your site and found another pointer ...Optotronics Product Details... i know alot of ppl say the quality is what you are paying for from optronics but that is not such a bad thing i guess. The only thing i can think of that i would like to have is the option to focus and maybe a waterproof model. So with all of that said what can you guys recommend that posesses quality components, sturdiness, bright as hell, focusable, and can laze sharks in two at 50 meters underwater(hehe waterproof)

Thanks in advance,
Bryan

well I know you want to focus it and water proof is cool, but you will be most happy with the optotronics laser. you can show them the stunning beam, then when they think it dont get any better, pull out a match and light that for them with your stunning optotronics laser!!!!

Wait till Rayfoss and O-like get back up. They both have focusable 200mW's for less than $180 I believe. Their power will probably be around 150mW. Finding something that is waterproof and focusable might be difficult.

Hi Bryan....

I have several green lasers ranging from 10mW to 450mW and I can tell you from experience that there are good and bad lasers out there. The best I have seen and own are from SkyPointer Howie Glatter's lasers. His lasers are very well made and he takes them apart and adjusts the current to 280ma (I think) and recollimates the beam/lens, you have to ask him for the higher power lasers (up to 60mW). The other company is Optotronics. I have two of the premium 150mW lasers and the beams come out straight and does not skew to the side like many lasers out there do. Yes you will pay more for the better quality, but if you wish to spend less for a turd laser and don't mind buying another because it broke then that is ok too. A friend of mine bought a 50mW on line from amazon.com and it was not 50mW, more like 20mW, the bottom line is you get what you pay for. I think the 120mW from Optotronics is your best bet hands down.

-Todd

Rayfoss is your best bet for all those features. I personally love the look, feel, and preformance of the skylasers pointer I have, they're quite good and the biggest plus for me was they're located in California.

k so is optronics stateside?

KiLLrB said:

k so is optronics stateside?

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Located in Meade, CO and you will get your laser in three days through Priority mail.

-Todd

saweeet! does anyone have a pic or vid link so i can get a closer look? and possibly runtime on a set of batts?

KiLLrB said:

saweeet! does anyone have a pic or vid link so i can get a closer look? and possibly runtime on a set of batts?

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I have a few photos:

Flickr: Todd Hargis, Austin Portrait Photographer's Photostream



A 20, 150, & >450mW lasers.... No smoke, just air.





Beam comparrisions, 150mW and 450mW (iPhone vid) My 20-inch telescope in the background)

YOU HAVE A 20" DOB!!! lucky sob i only have a 10

BTW you guys are very helpful and quick to respond ty

i also noticed you live in Austin i think lol if you are ever in the Lubbock area give me a shout maybe you can make it out to do some observing with us

KiLLrB said:

YOU HAVE A 20" DOB!!! lucky sob i only have a 10

BTW you guys are very helpful and quick to respond ty

i also noticed you live in Austin i think lol if you are ever in the Lubbock area give me a shout maybe you can make it out to do some observing with us

Click to expand...

Yes i finally got myself a 20-inch Dob! I bought it used from John Hall (Pegasus Optics) as this was his personal scope. I moved to it from a 16-inch. Befor the 16 I had a 13-inch. I really like it a lot, great images!

Here is a photo:

IS THAT GOTO?!?! or just tracking?:drool: lmao WOW man those pics are like porn for amateur astronomers :bowdown:

Hi, I bought a 200 mw Rayfoss focusable IR filter and put me (at my request).
Crystals have changed and according Faona (receptionist) delivers 210 MW stable with the IR filter.
I am very happy with it (I was recommended by a friend of the forum), so the sky is very bright and impressive.
It cost me $ 159 with shipping included. Includes lithium battery and charger.
According Faona apartir Rayfoss be operational from January 29.
Greetings.

got a pic of this laser perhaps?

Here indeed photos, reviews, videos and many people who have this laser.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/