WL Nano or LG Galileo for astronomy?

johnnyscience · May 13, 2014

Looking to get a good astronomy laser for pointing and also using as a spotting laser for the main scope.

I think I've narrowed it down to a Wicked Lasers Nano or a Laserglow Galileo or Galileo Pro (I don't understand the difference between the two?)

I wanted an aluminum body, so that helped narrow it down to those two choices. Are there any others that I should consider?

I realize the Galileo is a 5mW while the Nano is a 15mW & a class IIIb

Is the class IIIb that much more dangerous? I will use this with my son who is 9 and will know not to point it in anyones eyes etc.

Is it suffice to say that the 15mW is really 3x brighter than the 5mW and will be that much more visible and solid of a beam?

Thanks.

NightExplorer96 · May 13, 2014

Hey johnny,

For astronomy purposes you should pick the 15mW pointer from WL, 5mW just isn't enough power to show a clear beam to yourself/others while aiming at stars.

And of course 15mW is MORE dangerous than 5mW, but as long as you use it responsibly, make sure their are no aircraft around and keep it away from children then it's completely safe to have one

ultimatekaiser · May 13, 2014

Tha Greenlander said:
Hey johnny,

For astronomy purposes you should pick the 15mW pointer from WL, 5mW just isn't enough power to show a clear beam to yourself/others while aiming at stars.

And of course 15mW is MORE dangerous than 5mW, but as long as you use it responsibly, make sure their are no aircraft around and keep it away from children then it's completely safe to have one

not necessarily true. I can see 5mW just fine in the dark. in fact that's what the Galileo is for. its all about beam diameter. It steers my telescope every night. if you can't see it, then its not dark enough yet. (15mW at 3x the beam diameter is going to appear about the same) but I do agree, the 15mW will be far easier to see and be better for star pointing and such. it'll be about twice as bright, but much more dangerous. just don't point at aircraft. be sure of your targets before hand. It's technically illegal to use a >5mW laser in public, including the sky. Though you'll likely rarely be harassed over it.

johnnyscience · May 13, 2014

What about the Galileo Pro, what is the difference between that and the original?

I'm leaning towards the 15mW I think. Wicked Lasers makes a sweet looking product and brighter is always better

But how do you not point it at aircraft when it's so much brighter? I mean I realize how to NOT point it at aircraft I can see easy, but some are really high up they are hard to see. And they move, so if you're pointing in a particular area showing a star/constellation a d a plane flys through your beam, is that your fault and I guess you could get in trouble right? I want to make sure I don't get in trouble...

Do you think the Atronomy club will frown upon such a bright green laser? I've read that sometimes some clubs don't allow the. But I've seen a couple guys at my local club using them, but I'm pretty sure they were only 5mW pen style green lasers.

NightExplorer96 · May 13, 2014

johnnyscience said:
What about the Galileo Pro, what is the difference between that and the original?

I'm leaning towards the 15mW I think. Wicked Lasers makes a sweet looking product and brighter is always better

But how do you not point it at aircraft when it's so much brighter? I mean I realize how to NOT point it at aircraft I can see easy, but some are really high up they are hard to see. And they move, so if you're pointing in a particular area showing a star/constellation a d a plane flys through your beam, is that your fault and I guess you could get in trouble right? I want to make sure I don't get in trouble...

Do you think the Atronomy club will frown upon such a bright green laser? I've read that sometimes some clubs don't allow the. But I've seen a couple guys at my local club using them, but I'm pretty sure they were only 5mW pen style green lasers.

The Galileo Pro features an adjustable beam alignment. Just read the description below each laser

-Alex

johnnyscience · May 13, 2014

Yes I read that, but I don't know what that is or what to use it for? Would that help for mounting on a telescope?

ultimatekaiser · May 13, 2014

johnnyscience said:
Yes I read that, but I don't know what that is or what to use it for? Would that help for mounting on a telescope?

the beam of most greens doesn't leave the aperture straight due to the process that creates the green light. this is to help straighten it for telescope guiding.

As for pointing at planes, yes you won't always know...that's why you aren't allowed to point more than 5mW up there

you're not likely to hit one, but if you do, then in theory yes you could get in trouble for it. though frankly you should only run the laser when you need it. don't leave it on all the time if its on a telescope or something, its bad practice anyway.

johnnyscience · May 13, 2014

After doing some more reading of reviews it seems a lot of people say they go for 30-50mW lasers for astronomy and that 5mW just isn't enough. I think the WL 15mW is perfect for me then without going too crazy with the 35-50mW ones.

I really love the way Wicked Lasers machines their housings, they just look awesome. I with they offered the Nano to look like their higher powered series.

Is there any other company producing machined housings like Wicked Lasers that would compare to their 15mW green Nano?

What about a DIY kit, are there some really cool housings to build your own with?

One I could put a rechargeable lithium ion battery in? Are there any options for the Nano in this regard?

Anything in titanium around the 15mW?

trencheel303 · May 13, 2014

If you are presenting to others, yes, 5mW won't be enough, as the further you are from the beam axis the harder it is to see. A 5mW green is fine if you are right underneath it ie for telescope alignment, but for presenting to others you will need something up to 10x that powerful.

However, therein lies your next difficulty, shining around a bright green laser will destroy people's night vision, which will upset the people around you and/or members of the astronomy club. Red lasers and lights don't upset night vision which is why astronomers use red lights for map reading.

Finally, for a laser to appear twice as bright, it must be four times as powerful as the comparative laser. So a 15mW will, assuming all other things being equal, appear a little under twice as bright as a 5mW.

johnnyscience · May 14, 2014

Ok great ill probably go with the Wicked Lasers Nano then.

But before I pull the trigger I want to explore a couple more options first.

Is there any other company producing machined housings like Wicked Lasers that would compare to their 15mW green Nano?

What about a DIY kit, are there some really cool housings to build your own with?

One I could put a rechargeable lithium ion battery in? Are there any options for the Nano in this regard?

Anything in titanium around the 15-30mW?

Cel · May 14, 2014

I think a feebay cheap greenie pen style would suffice for astronomy, as they are most often overspec.
Unless you really want to pay extra for just the look.

Also a custom build from a forum member is a good option.

Smeerworst · May 14, 2014

I happen to have a Green 532nm Nano myself.

If you get one yourself, then there's a good chance that it's putting out more then 15mW.
Like the one i have meassures in at 30mW.

The nano has a build in micro chip, so when you press the button two times fast, it stay's on. (good in cold weather)

The downside to this is, that you will have to store the laser with the batteries removed (if you don't use it for a long time)
Becouse the micro chip in it eats current when not in use. (2×AAA)

Can't really describe the Galilieo for you, as i don't own one... but i think you can't go bad with both of them. (both IR filtered aswell)

Cheers, SM.

johnnyscience · May 15, 2014

I don't mind paying a little extra for a premium machined piece of aluminum from WL so I will probably go with the Nano.

I'm also not opposed to see what others can build, I'll have to take a look around & see if I can find some threads with photos. I think $100 is my budget for now since I could just get the Nano & be satisfied. I'm in no hurry other than wanting to impulse by, so I just need to look around a bit more I think.

The Nano takes 2 x AAA and I'd love to get some dedicated rechargeable batteries for it.

Can I use these? TrustFire 10440 600mAh 3.7V AAA Li-Ion PROTECTED Battery

Would I need 1 or two? (Not sure if they're the same size as normal AAA?)

These batteries say they put out 3x more than normal batteries? So would these not be good for the Nano?

Bionic-Badger · May 16, 2014

If you're into astronomy, know that a green laser can wreck your night vision. People use red lights for their star charts for a reason. Why don't you use a more powerful red laser instead? A red laser in the 635nm area would be much brighter than typical 650nm lasers, but still preserve your night vision.

Smeerworst · May 16, 2014

BubonicCronic said:
Dont delude yourself. :tsk:

Best laugh i had in a while ... thank you for that... ^^

BurningLaserGuy · May 17, 2014

5mW is enough for astronomy, 15mW would be too bright. I mean you can only see the brightest stars and planets after pointing at something on the sky with 15mW+. For finding objects just simply use an finderscope, you won't see the star/planet/nebulae/etc. because of the beam brightness.

WL Nano or LG Galileo for astronomy?

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