Just some quick questions

Hey everyone, been lurking here for a while as I am in the market for a new green astronomy laser. This is something that I plan on carrying around with me in my pocket, so my biggest concerns are durability, size, and of course, the ability to see the beam at night (hence my username lol).
However, I have one special condition which I can't seem to get an answer to by lurking and searching....and that is how to pick a laser that is unlikely to mode-hop. I have owned many, many 5mw lasers (all extremely cheap) and all have mode-hopped. Before I go spending more than $10 on a 5mw laser, I would like to get an idea of how to make sure this issue doesn't arise in the future because it is super annoying and is the reason I have to keep buying new lasers. I have owned some "high quality" green lasers and paid $80+ for them, but I am forgetful and often lose them.
I have learned what causes mode-hopping and what it is, and that DPSSL lasers are more likely to do it than diode lasers.
Where should I buy from that sells cheap (preferably under $50) high-quality 532nm diode lasers? ==LAZERER== Laser Pointer in Green, Red, Blue with Real Genius Granteed Power for Sale has some highly attractive models like this one LZTN - 532nm 5mW Smallest Green Laser Pointer Key Chain
Would that be a smart purchase?
Thanks for any advice, and sorry if I sound like a noob but I swear I have been searching and I don't understand this haha

Hello beamjunkie,

I cannot answer too much about "mode-hopping" since I do not know too much about this myself, but for a great quality laser under $50 and over $50(just in case) here are some options:

5mW 532nm from LaserGlow:
Laserglow Technologies

OR

5-150mW units from laserbtb:
LP 515nm 532nm 1-150

- If you chose this company, make sure to check the box marked "IR Filter Installed"

Both are super high quality and will last you for years to come! Best of luck bud

Sorry but you're not gonna get a 532nm diode laser. Those are all DPSS.
If you want a diode green it will be a 520nm, but those are definitely not cheap compared to 532nm.

Since you're using it for astronomy, I'm assuming that you're out in the cold a lot? Which is what causes the mode-hopping? Really the best thing to do is to keep it in your pants pocket and warm.

I guess that since you don't mind spending $80 for a good laser, you could have a look at the 520nm greenie from Aliexpress.com. There was a thread somewhere about and they were actually decent. The power on those are way over 5mw tho, so they may or may not be suitable.

EDIT: And you might want to get a lanyard for whatever new laser you choose to buy

EDIT number TWO: FOUND IT that's the aliexpress 520nm laser. It's still green, just a foresty green. Very cool colour, or so I've heard. It's only 20mw, so it'll definitely be fine for astronomy (I think, don't quote me on this) and you shouldn't have mode-hopping issues. Keep in mind the thread is a few months old, so the lasers may or may not still be available.

Thanks for the helpful relies! So I have decided that I probably won't be able to get a diode laser, and that's alright with me. I realize that laserglow definitely makes the best quality DPSSL lasers, but even though I could by from them, I will probably end up getting the mini 5mw from Lazerer. This is because first and foremost, it is small, and having a small one like that would be great for carrying in my pocket. Plus, it is only $17 so I can't really go wrong haha.

However, I noticed that Lazerer also offers a 30mw for only $3 more and that is extremely tempting....except for the fact that it runs on rechargeable batteries instead of AAAs and 30mw may be a little dangerous for pointing around with indoors (because I am sure I will do that too). Any input on this? Is it worth it to go 30mw for a slightly brighter beam?

Lastly, does anyone know of any big companies like Laserglow which manufacture lasers in small sizes like that one from Lazerer? If they don't, is there any reason why (as far as quality is concerned)? Thanks so much!

Definitely go for 30mw. Yes it will be slightly more dangerous, but it will give you a much better beam for your purposes. And $3 ...no question. This way the beam can be viewed from more of an angle, making your intended target known to a larger area. This rise in power isn't so much that it should deter you in any way. Go for it, you will be glad you did

Personally I would even go for a 100mw pointer from laserbtb. A great company and a great laser for star pointing. As long as your pointing at the heaven, no glasses are needed, and the beam would be perfect, even in not perfect conditions. You'd have a reliable tool for your hobby.

Alright, so the last question I have is about the batteries these take. Basically, having to recharge 18650 size batteries is not something I want to do, but it seems like that is my only option if I want to go above 5mw. I am used to all of my lasers taking AAA batteries and I like the ability to switch them out instantly if they go dead.

Can anyone quell my fear here? How long does it take to recharge these Li-Ion batteries? Can I overcharge them easily? Are they easily purchased anywhere other than online? Etc. haha

Thanks again!

EDIT: I said 18650 batteries, I meant 10440!

If you have a spare laptop battery that's where you can get them

The thing about li-ions is that you won't NEED to change them out because the capacity of good batteries is about 20x greater than a AAA. Get two Panasonics and a charger for about $30, and that will be all you will ever need .

(get model NCR18650B)

Trust me li-ions are better
And no, unless you have aREALLY bad charger, you will not overcharge them.
A good charger is the Nitecore i2
:beer:
-Matt

The pen style lasers take AAA. Bt if you need a rechargeable , they are very easily obtained. Battery junction, or eBay seller r-lsales are my favorite. Fast shipping great quality and prices. If you do go rechargeable just get a good charger. The itellecharger from nitecore is the preferred charger for us. That eBay seller sells a few versions for pretty cheap. Under $20 . Rechargeable is much better in my opinion. Just have a back up set. That way one set can charge while you use the other. My nitecore even has a car charger so I can charge on the go. 18650 is rather large and would provide you with power to run a very powerful laser, so I think your thinking of something along the lines of a 16340 or even the smaller 14500 which is the size of AA. But if your looking for a pen style laser, they can be had up to 100mw on laserbtb and still use AAA. For star pointing check out the laserbtb HL532 . It takes one rechargeable 16340 has all the safety features , and a lens shudder to keep thing clean. It comes in many different strengths, but for your application I think the laserbtb pen style 100mw would be perfect.

Alright that makes a lot of sense, thanks! So I guess I really don't mind using rechargeable batteries then haha. A 10440 battery is only $2 from Lazerer anyway and the "universal charger" is only $3. I think I may go with the 50mw tiny laser, I figure at least then I can do some basic burning even if I can't focus the beam (maybe popping black balloons or lighting a match with black marker on the tip).

Does anyone know how the divergence is on the lasers offered by Lazerer?

Here is the laser I am considering, mostly due to the fact that it is only 9cm long:
The 50mw: http://lazerer.com/lztn-tiny-532nm-50mw-smallest-green-laser-pointer-key-chain

Check these out . Two AAA AND the 80mw is around the same price. I'm my opinion(and probably everyone else's lol ) these are much better lasers. I would go with the 100mw if you want to do a little match lighting and balloon popping. This is just a much better made laser . Still very pocket friendly, disposable batteries. I strongly recommend this one

Oh and a 50mw that isn't focuable will not burn even if colored black.

Tmack said:

Check these out . Two AAA AND the 80mw is around the same price. I'm my opinion(and probably everyone else's lol ) these are much better lasers. I would go with the 100mw if you want to do a little match lighting and balloon popping. This is just a much better made laser . Still very pocket friendly, disposable batteries. I strongly recommend this one

Oh and a 50mw that isn't focuable will not burn even if colored black.

Click to expand...

Alright I would be glad to check those out, but I think you forgot the links! Lol

And really? I do remember I bought a 30mw non-focusable pen from dealextreme around 5 years ago which was probably a little overspec and popped balloons with black dots on them....but wouldn't light matches. Maybe I just got lucky though haha

LP 515nm 532nm 1-150

Your absolutely right lol.

Your right about a balloon popping at a lower power than lighting a match. It's been a while fir me. I'm kind of spoiled with power. Soon you will either be addicted to power, or collecting wavelengths. Or you might get it bad and love both. ( opens wallets and moth flutters out)

Haha no worries thanks for putting them in.

I know what you mean by power addiction, trust me if I wasn't still a student and very money-limited I'd be in the same boat. Collecting wavelengths seems like a good goal though....:eg:

That 50mw from laserbtb is very tempting....so is the 80mw....and just wondering, what makes you recommend that over lazerer for quality? Also, do I need an IR filter?

Nah no ir filter needed. Just be careful. A lot of guys like to preach about ir and how it's so much more dangerous because you can't see it. Well you don't go staring into any laser no matter the ir content now do you . Lol

And just the manufacturing of the lasers and quality components. It's like brands of cars. Better companies just use better parts resulting in a better product. If you were to ask the members here to take a poll laserbtb or laserer I don't think it would any question that the clear winner would be laserbtb. It will likely be nicely overspec as I have never heard of a laserbtb product being on spec , laws over. Now I've heard mixed reviews of laserer. So IMHO its a no brainier my friend :beer:

That laser looks perfect actually, 80mw would be great. My only final concern here is getting it into the USA haha.

I notice that the lasers that aren't pointers that are offered by laserbtb all have "(FDA)" as part of their titles....and the pointers don't. I know this is because the FDA will not allow in any laser over 5mw which doesn't have safety features like a key and safety switch and all that jazz.
See these examples:
HL 532nm 50-300
PL 532nm 100-700

Can I ship in an 80mw pointer without too much worry? If so, I'm gonna do it....haha

That laser looks perfect actually, 80mw would be great. My only final concern here is getting it into the USA haha.

I notice that the lasers that aren't pointers that are offered by laserbtb all have "(FDA)" as part of their titles....and the pointers don't. I know this is because the FDA will not allow in any laser over 5mw which doesn't have safety features like a key and safety switch and all that jazz.
See these examples:
HL 532nm 50-300
PL 532nm 100-700

Can I ship in an 80mw pointer without too much worry? If so, I'm gonna do it....haha