Green Laser Pointer

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking to buy my first green laser. I have done research and come up with the:

Alpec 6406 Laser at Fry's Electronics

and

the Green $50 laser at Radio Shack.

I only want to buy a laser from a store, not online. Also, I would like to be able to see the beam. Would any of these lasers let me do so?

This is my first post, so some feedback would be appreciated!
Thanks,
myfirstlaser

myfirstlaser said:

Also, I would like to be able to see the beam. Would any of these lasers let me do so?

Click to expand...

No. Not with out some fog or smoke in the air to help enhance the beam, at least.

You can get a 5mW green laser pointer for less $ from an online store, just so you know.

Thank You,
I was wondering if you knew if any brick and mortar stores carry lasers over 10 mw. All I have found are lasers at Staples that are "Class 3B"- I've got no clue what this means- I just want a laser that you can see the beam of.
Thanks

BTW I live in so cal if that helps

You won't have any luck finding anything over 5mW (mW = milliWatts) in stores in the USA.
Class IIIb means the laser has an output power greater than 5mW and less than 500mW. It is an FDA classification. IIIb is the class we deal with most commonly around here.

May I ask why you don't want to order from an online shop?

By the way, there is an "Edit" button at the bottom right corner of each post you make. It is there so you can go back and edit the content so you don't have to post multiple times if you forget something. It is generally considered bad forum etiquette to "double post." No worries, though.

Thanks for the constructive criticism and info. I don't want to buy online because I want to be able to see the laser in my own hands. If I may ask, what can you do with a 5-10 mw green laser pointer? can you see the beam at night?
Thanks,
myfirstlaser

myfirstlaser said:

Thanks for the constructive criticism and info. I don't want to buy online because I want to be able to see the laser in my own hands. If I may ask, what can you do with a 5-10 mw green laser pointer? can you see the beam at night?
Thanks,
myfirstlaser

Click to expand...

I see. If you'd like I can recommend a few shops that I personally trust. If you'd rather buy in-store there is nothing wrong with that either.

A 5-10mW green pointer does have a slightly visible beam at night. The more humidity, the better.
Power is not the only factor that determines visibility. How much particulate is in the atmosphere is important. For example, a beam of light passing through a vacuum will be invisible, since there is nothing to reflect the light back to your eyes.

A 5-10mW pointer can be used for absolutely anything you want to use it for.
Presentations and lectures, pointing to stars or other objects, playing with cats or dogs, etc... And simply admiring the brilliant light is entertaining as well. As a matter of fact, that is what most of us here on the forum use our lasers for (the majority of the time).

Thanks SO MUCH!
My friend is "Electronically Brilliant" and he is pestering me why I don't have a laser. Ill show him! BTW, have you heard about the MANTIS Laser by Wicked Lasers? Last time I checked, it was the strongest laser on earth (According to the Guiness Book of World Records) I was wondering if us "Civilians" could buy one of those.
Thanks!
myfirstlaser

myfirstlaser said:

Thanks SO MUCH!
My friend is "Electronically Brilliant" and he is pestering me why I don't have a laser. Ill show him! BTW, have you heard about the MANTIS Laser by Wicked Lasers? Last time I checked, it was the strongest laser on earth (According to the Guiness Book of World Records) I was wondering if us "Civilians" could buy one of those.
Thanks!
myfirstlaser

Click to expand...

No problem.

Yes, I have heard of the "Mantis." However, WickedLasers is known for poor business practices, poor products, and blatant lies. I would take anything they claim with a grain of salt.
So far as I am aware, the "Mantis" is vapor ware.

The DIYers here are building lasers that far surpass anything Wicked has produced in terms of output. :shhh:

Cool! The Guiness Book of World Records says that it's the strongest, but the Guiness book has been wrong on several occasions!
Thanks,
myfirstlaser
BTW RA_Pierce, in your previous post you said you knew of shops. By shops, do you mean online or real stores? Because if you knew any stores, I would go check it out!

RA you are so patient and nice :yh:

If I were in your position, I would read some reviews about lasers.
If you are unsure about the quality (seems like most things are getting worse by the day) you are in the same boat I was.
Lasers and components that you would get locally are almost universally:
A. WAAAY more expensive than online
B. Poor quality to allow for a better profit margin for the retailer
C. You will almost never find the output you are looking for (apart from <5mW)
D. The best looking lasers are either ones that you build or online
E. Making your own laser (even a low power one) is a truly awarding experience and you will treasure it far more. By the same token, you will likely take safety more seriously for a high power build if you build it yourself.
Laser damage is cumulative, the "I'll just burn this for a second" 's add up.
There are a lot of great, trustworthy people who have taken it upon themselves to take a risk on a laser or a seller and usually have a ruthless review if a laser sucks. Trust in them

Welcome to LPF!

Why you insists 10mw?