I've been browsing and searching this forum on and off for the past few years, and bought my first unit (A 3-5mW LaserGlow Anser) based off of an older thread recommending LaserGlow as a top reseller. I've had it for over a year now, and I am very happy with the quality and consistency of the laser. I purchased it with the intent of using it for astronomy; I want people within fifteen feet or so to easily see the beam so that I can point out celestial objects. However, my experience with the Anser is that it is only powerful enough to easily see the beam when my eyes are just a few inches off-axis, which doesn't help me when I'm trying to point out objects to people that are standing several feet away. So, my Anser has been relegated to more indoor-type usage such as presentations.
Because of this, I was looking to get something slightly above 5mW, which puts LaserGlow out of the running because they won't ship such units to the US customers. I've tried searching the forum for reputable suppliers of 5mW+ units to US customers, but the threads I've found seem outdated. For example, I saw recommendations that Nova Lasers' units were making it through customs... but they seem to be out of the business for now.
So my question- what particular units (reseller and specific model would be greatly appreciated) do you all recommend for astronomy purposes? I'm not looking for something extremely powerful or even necessarily 532nm, I just want something that will be easily visible for astronomy pointing.
My requirements:
-Take AA or AAA batteries, preferably compatible with NiMH Eneloops
-Be well-made. I love my Anser's build quality.
-Have a relatively consistent beam
-Have a beam clearly visible at night from 10-15 feet away
-Be able to ship to the USA
Thank you so much for your help (past and present as I've lurked for a while and found great information) and any recommendations!
Because of this, I was looking to get something slightly above 5mW, which puts LaserGlow out of the running because they won't ship such units to the US customers. I've tried searching the forum for reputable suppliers of 5mW+ units to US customers, but the threads I've found seem outdated. For example, I saw recommendations that Nova Lasers' units were making it through customs... but they seem to be out of the business for now.
So my question- what particular units (reseller and specific model would be greatly appreciated) do you all recommend for astronomy purposes? I'm not looking for something extremely powerful or even necessarily 532nm, I just want something that will be easily visible for astronomy pointing.
My requirements:
-Take AA or AAA batteries, preferably compatible with NiMH Eneloops
-Be well-made. I love my Anser's build quality.
-Have a relatively consistent beam
-Have a beam clearly visible at night from 10-15 feet away
-Be able to ship to the USA
Thank you so much for your help (past and present as I've lurked for a while and found great information) and any recommendations!