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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Question about laser prices

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
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Can someone explain why companies charge thousands of dollars for a laser when you can build one for really cheap or even have someone like "DarkArmy" build a 400mw for $400? So I guess the question is... What is the difference between a $2000 400mw laser compared to a $400 DIY one?

Is there something that the DIY 400mw wont be able to do that the Optitronics 400mw will?

Thanks in advanced!
Mark
 
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Joined
Aug 5, 2009
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Most likely you will find that no members here will build a 400mw green laser which is probably what you are talking about with a $2000 laser. A green is way harder to build vs a 400mW violet blu-ray.
 

HIMNL9

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Mainly cause pure profit :p ..... and no, i'm not joking, actually, build a 500mW green laser module in industrial serie, from one of those long-time companies, can cost them from 20 to 30 $, including material, machine and work time, alignment and refinishing, and packaging (actually, all the modules are assembled at automated machine process cycle, and using glues, instead mechanical retainers, so there's no more modules that requires manual alignment like the previous ones :p)

But the market is still not asking enough of them, and the building process of DPSS units is still not at the possibility of common peoples (like instead red ones), so the price is kept high for pure profit.

I bet one thing: one full year without any module buyed, from any company, and they drop the price at least 90% :p :D
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
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Hmmmm...

here are some cheap DPSS green lasers built by companies......:whistle:

DealExtreme: Green Lasers (Page 1)

The difference is... Quality... Longevity... Guarantee... Repair Service..
Customer Service...
not just Profit....


Jerry
 
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HIMNL9

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The difference is... Quality... Longevity... Guarantee... Repair Service..
Customer Service...
not just Profit....

I'm not saying that it's just profit, but, i think you can admit with me, 90% is ;)

I mean, i remember when for make a green module, you had to go manually through alignment, positioning, focusing, and so on (hell, some very old modules was looking as jewelry works, all gold-plated parts, alignment pins, micrometric screws :p)

now, open any module you want, also the ones of 500$, and i can bet with you, 95% of the possibility, it's all pre-glued, machine-aligned, glue-finished things ..... maybe some of the better ones can still use C-mount diodes with FAC integrated, and use decent worked and thick brass parts for heath dissipation, but this is all ..... no more "high precision hand made work" that can justify these prices, imho
 
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Nov 7, 2008
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Like everything in life, there are various levels to lasers. As hobbyists here on LPF we have a special privilege of being able to produce our own diode lasers very cheaply. DPSS and gas lasers are a whole different ball game, since they are much more complicated. Green DPSS is the exception, since there is such a high demand for green pointers.

You could buy a green 20mW DPSS pointer right now on ebay for well under $20. You could also buy a brand new Coherent Compass 20mW green DPSS laser for IDK let's say $5000 (although I'm fairly sure it is actually more than that). They both will put a ~20mW green dot on a wall, right? So what's the difference?

The difference is that due to the level of engineering that goes into the more expensive systems, they give more stable output, better beam specs and longer lifetime. Whether or not its worth it to you to spend the extra money is up to you, but once you own a $5000 laser, you'll see why they cost so much.
 




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