Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Searching for a pen-style laser

Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
Hi, I'm new to this community and I'm really looking forward to have a great experience here. Hey everyone :)

Tl;dr: Please help me find a low-powered, high quality green laser pen with pocket clip.

I'm currently searching for a green laser for pointing purposes and I'm hoping for your advice. More precisely, I'm searching for a laser in the pen-style, with pocket clip if possible (!), I'm not quite sure what power I want and if I want a DPSS or a direct diode. I sometimes need to point through medium-sized rooms, and I don't want the dot to get too big at the other side, so a good divergence would be nice. As I said, it's strictly for pointing purposes, so I don't want a focus that I can change accidentally or have to re-adjust before using the laser. I already own an older 532nm "Hulk" from DragonLasers, so I wouldn't mind paying an extra 10 bucks for a direct diode I guess as it's still somewhat exotic to me.
It's important that it got a proper metal housing and a switch that won't break after 2 days like in those cheap generic laser pens. I'm currently facing the question "IR filter or no IR filter" (only in case of a 532nm of course), but I think an IR filter is important as others might use the laser as well. I've read that some cheaper lasers (especially low-powered models) are often overspec and sometimes even emit 50% IR, maybe someone can tell me something about that, too. My 532nm should be around 100mW, but I can't tell if 20mW is too much to point across a room on a white wall. I don't want to get blinded by the dot, but I also don't want to search for it. So I wouldn't know what to take if I had to choose between 5mW and 20mW...
I already looked through some of the known laser websites (lazerer, warnlasers, laserbtb and stuff), but even if you think one of them sells something I would want, please go ahead and shoot me a link or something.

Thanks for your answers and advice!
Simon
 
Last edited:





Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
Thanks for your reply! Yes, I already knew about the Lyra, it looks nice, maybe a bit pricey for a 5mW 532nm. I don't like shiny stuff that much as well but that's not really important if the laser is properly built.
I was wondering if a direct diode pointer would be more reliable, I read through this other thread about green pointers... I'd really like a stable beam, apart from some electrical issues I never had issues in terms of beam stability with my Hulk. Also I'm not quite sure how tough 532 ones are, they might have a solid housing but what if I or someone else drops my laser on the ground...

So yeah, I'd really like more possibilities if there are any more, I've been looking at the one from laserbtb a lot lately, I'm so sad it doesn't have a pocket clip, but maybe the lanyard is enough for me.
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
8,549
Points
113
Thanks for your reply! Yes, I already knew about the Lyra, it looks nice, maybe a bit pricey for a 5mW 532nm. I don't like shiny stuff that much as well but that's not really important if the laser is properly built.
I was wondering if a direct diode pointer would be more reliable, I read through this other thread about green pointers... I'd really like a stable beam, apart from some electrical issues I never had issues in terms of beam stability with my Hulk. Also I'm not quite sure how tough 532 ones are, they might have a solid housing but what if I or someone else drops my laser on the ground...

So yeah, I'd really like more possibilities if there are any more, I've been looking at the one from laserbtb a lot lately, I'm so sad it doesn't have a pocket clip, but maybe the lanyard is enough for me.

Gotcha!
532nm is available in diode form but be aware it will cost A LOT!!

The other alternative is a 520nm diode greenie(which is what I think you were mentioning). It being a diode you won't have to worry about fagile crystal and IR light.

520nm is comparison to 532nm will appear *greener*, and if used in a dark room, will appear brighter then 532nm due to the fact the peak wavelength for a dark adapted eye is 507nm. If you want something slightly more unique then a regular 532nm then 520nm is the way to go :)

Optotronics sells quality lasers in the same host as the eBay pens(which have a clip). If I remember right their 5mW pens sells for $25(excluding shipping).
 
Joined
Dec 10, 2013
Messages
1,343
Points
83
532nm Greens aren't that fragile, and if it were to be used professionally it shouldn't be much of an issue. It doesn't seem to be as easy to get <5mW diode greens either, as laserbtb's WILL be overspec.
 

ARG

0
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
6,772
Points
113
Gotcha!
532nm is available in diode form but be aware it will cost A LOT!!

Got a link for that?

I know Nichia has been trying to get the 510/515/520 diodes up to 532nm as it's better for pocket projectors, but I have not heard any news of it.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
Yeah, I haven't seen 532nm direct diode either yet o_O
Well, anyway, I don't need that. I don't care much about this thread going OT but I'm still searching for a green laser pen ;)
I really wish the 515nm pen from laserbtb had a pocketclip. That would make it perfect. The <5mW one seems really nice, especially with the additional key-switch (might not be necessary for 5mW but still it'd prevent it from turning on accidentally in my pocket)... So atm my favorites are the LaserGlow Lyra and the laserbtb 515nm pen.
Also still wondering how much a 20mW 515nm would blind, I guess it's not a big safety concern if it has a key switch, but the 20mW laserbtb pen only costs a few bucks more than the <5mW one. Hmm.
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
8,549
Points
113
Yeah, I haven't seen 532nm direct diode either yet o_O
Well, anyway, I don't need that. I don't care much about this thread going OT but I'm still searching for a green laser pen ;)
I really wish the 515nm pen from laserbtb had a pocketclip. That would make it perfect. The <5mW one seems really nice, especially with the additional key-switch (might not be necessary for 5mW but still it'd prevent it from turning on accidentally in my pocket)... So atm my favorites are the LaserGlow Lyra and the laserbtb 515nm pen.
Also still wondering how much a 20mW 515nm would blind, I guess it's not a big safety concern if it has a key switch, but the 20mW laserbtb pen only costs a few bucks more than the <5mW one. Hmm.

Yea sorry about that, was thinking about the Nichia diodes. Thought they had one for 532nm but after reviewing they don't:(

20mW won't immediately blind if it hits you in the eye but it WILL cause damage, if you do plan on buying it, just be careful.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
20mW won't immediately blind if it hits you in the eye but it WILL cause damage, if you do plan on buying it, just be careful.
Yeah, I was just wondering how much a diffused 20mW point on a white wall or so would blind... I want something that is powerful enough to be seen, but I don't want to blind anyone looking at the dot...

Still searching for alternatives btw, so anyone got some? n_n
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
Hmm, I owned a 405nm in that host once, I didn't really like the host, the matte black finish went fubar and the threads are pretty cheap... But I'll consider it, although the pocket clip might break after some time...
Maybe I'll find a way to add a clip to the laserbtb pen... I know someone who might be able to make a custom clip for it. Hmm...
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
8,549
Points
113
Hmm, I owned a 405nm in that host once, I didn't really like the host, the matte black finish went fubar and the threads are pretty cheap... But I'll consider it, although the pocket clip might break after some time...
Maybe I'll find a way to add a clip to the laserbtb pen... I know someone who might be able to make a custom clip for it. Hmm...

Making a custom clip may be the best idea. You can always try and take a look at the B/S/T section, not too long ago a member was selling a 5mW CNI GLP(which has a clip) for pretty cheap!

Let me ask, and this is all curiousity. How come a clip is that important? :p
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
14
Points
0
How come a clip is that important?
xD well, I keep a lot of stuff in my pockets, I might get a holster/bag at some point, but as it is now, I'm having big trouser pockets, and I like to keep things organized in there so things don't get in the way when I want to reach something.
Left pocket: Voltage indicator, Fenix LD05 (pen style flashlight), phone, ID/cards/piece of paper, soon a proper pen probably and a laser
Right Pocket: Keychain, some loose money, multitool (Leatherman Charge TTi with pocket clip :p )
 

DJNY

0
Joined
Nov 2, 2009
Messages
5,991
Points
83
I´m sure I have something interesting for you at home.

Gonna PM you within the next 1-2 days ;)

Grüße aus Österreich
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2013
Messages
591
Points
28
Go with laserbtb direct diode 520 for good beam specs and nice host and also plenty bright for your needs would be 50mw

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 




Top