- Joined
- Jul 24, 2010
- Messages
- 4
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I need a couple green lasers, but I am just to the point where I've picked up a few of the basics. I could use some recommendations based on my needs.
My primary use will be this: I will use two lasers to help me align a high-speed camera. This camera will be mounted about 12-13 feet in the air, and I need to align it within a specific plane (and line on the ground), and to an accuracy of about 1/8 inch. There will be a person up on a ladder aligning the camera (where lasers will be attached), and there will be second person on the ground measuring to see that the two laser dots are equal distance from the line on the ground. I was given this idea by someone a few months ago, and I'm itching to give it a try.
- This will be done during daylight, so green is a must.
- If I am fortunate enough to see a faint beam during an overcast day, that is a big bonus because it will help the person on the ladder make adjustments without needing as much feedback from the person on the ground. My understanding is that a person should be able to see the beam of a 50mw laser just fine when it is a bit darker. Will going with a 100 or 150mw laser increase my chances of seeing the beam during the day (if it's a little overcast)? If it helps, I'd be willing to go with a higher power, but popping balloons and burning stuff is a lower priority than keeping the cost reasonable(even though it sounds fun).
- The alignment process can take 10-20 minutes if things go poorly. If it goes smoothly, it takes 5-10. With the lasers, I am hoping to keep it to 5 minutes consistently. That said, something with higher than average duty cycle would be very helpful so i don't have to turn them off and on 10+ times per alignment.
- Having not owned a good laser before, I'm not sure what to expect for basic functions. I need an on/off switch that I can simple turn on (even if it turns itself off after a bit). My alignment person will be standing on a 10 foot ladder, and cannot use two hands to hold in the buttons on the lasers.
- Smaller is probably better because I think they'll be easier to mount (they will only be mounted for the alignment process, not permanently). However, I'm guessing that I'll be limited on duty cycle by a small pen style? Durability is a concern as well. If I happen to drop one, It will be from about 13 feet in the air (albeit to grass, in most cases), and I don't wish to replace them.
Secondary application (This is just to get some extra use out of them...I'm buying them mainly for camera alignment): I want to use lasers to scare away Canadian geese from my pond at dusk and at night. The pond is about 1000 feet from my house. I've read that as lasers move across the water toward the geese, they get very nervous as this mimics the reflections on the eyes of predators.
Lastly, just for hobby sake, it sounds like fun, so I might be willing to look at something a little nicer if it's worth the extra cost...though keeping costs down is an important consideration. I figure on the lowest end, I'm looking at around $60 for two cheap 50mw pens. I'd like to stay under $200 total for sure unless somebody really convinces me otherwise.
Hopefully this is enough info to stir up a few recommendations (I know I can't have everything I want). THANKS!!!
My primary use will be this: I will use two lasers to help me align a high-speed camera. This camera will be mounted about 12-13 feet in the air, and I need to align it within a specific plane (and line on the ground), and to an accuracy of about 1/8 inch. There will be a person up on a ladder aligning the camera (where lasers will be attached), and there will be second person on the ground measuring to see that the two laser dots are equal distance from the line on the ground. I was given this idea by someone a few months ago, and I'm itching to give it a try.
- This will be done during daylight, so green is a must.
- If I am fortunate enough to see a faint beam during an overcast day, that is a big bonus because it will help the person on the ladder make adjustments without needing as much feedback from the person on the ground. My understanding is that a person should be able to see the beam of a 50mw laser just fine when it is a bit darker. Will going with a 100 or 150mw laser increase my chances of seeing the beam during the day (if it's a little overcast)? If it helps, I'd be willing to go with a higher power, but popping balloons and burning stuff is a lower priority than keeping the cost reasonable(even though it sounds fun).
- The alignment process can take 10-20 minutes if things go poorly. If it goes smoothly, it takes 5-10. With the lasers, I am hoping to keep it to 5 minutes consistently. That said, something with higher than average duty cycle would be very helpful so i don't have to turn them off and on 10+ times per alignment.
- Having not owned a good laser before, I'm not sure what to expect for basic functions. I need an on/off switch that I can simple turn on (even if it turns itself off after a bit). My alignment person will be standing on a 10 foot ladder, and cannot use two hands to hold in the buttons on the lasers.
- Smaller is probably better because I think they'll be easier to mount (they will only be mounted for the alignment process, not permanently). However, I'm guessing that I'll be limited on duty cycle by a small pen style? Durability is a concern as well. If I happen to drop one, It will be from about 13 feet in the air (albeit to grass, in most cases), and I don't wish to replace them.
Secondary application (This is just to get some extra use out of them...I'm buying them mainly for camera alignment): I want to use lasers to scare away Canadian geese from my pond at dusk and at night. The pond is about 1000 feet from my house. I've read that as lasers move across the water toward the geese, they get very nervous as this mimics the reflections on the eyes of predators.
Lastly, just for hobby sake, it sounds like fun, so I might be willing to look at something a little nicer if it's worth the extra cost...though keeping costs down is an important consideration. I figure on the lowest end, I'm looking at around $60 for two cheap 50mw pens. I'd like to stay under $200 total for sure unless somebody really convinces me otherwise.
Hopefully this is enough info to stir up a few recommendations (I know I can't have everything I want). THANKS!!!