First scanner advice needed, right step into scanners?

Hi all, i've not long since entered the wonderful world of lasers, i built myself a 100mW bluray handheld and fell in love with it, i've messed around with Gratings and mirrors but now i feel its time to progress to having a go with scanners. The thing is i don't have a clue about them, i only know that they ocsillate very accurately in X and Y axis to form the given effect/image

I'm assuming i can use my bluray laser with a scanner? I'm looking for a complete scanner kit that i could use with ILDA control as i'd like to get into messing with all these lovely animated effects we see like the waved liquid sky and other laser show eyecandy. I've been looking around and came across this item on ebay: 250424449929 SCANPRO20, 20k laser galvo scanner set. yag argon dpss.

Would this be a good way of making step into scanners? I think the above kit comes with everything needed apart from the laser itself.

I'm currently wading through the forum cluing myself up on scanners but any advice from here on my first buy would be very highly appreciated.

A 100 mW blu-ray is not a good idea for scanning, That power is not visible enough to spread the beam around and still have it be seen. You need a laser that will be bright enough to still be visible while being scanned. Also you need a laser driver that supports TTL or analog modulation. Do some reading here http://laserpointerforums.com/f47/new-scanners-32674.html . Also check out the guides on www.laser-man.co.uk
I too am about to build a scanner and those links helped me out alot.

Building a multi-color system using red, green, and blu-ray lasers is possible, though. Personally I recommend starting off with just a commercially made green laser (here's an example of an excellent, inexpensive green laser for laser shows) since they are highly visible and usually have a good effect when you use a fog machine to bring out the beams. Scanpro 20s are an excellent choice starting out, but there are better systems available if you have the $$. Definitely check out the links MISTERWILLING posted above..

100mW 405 will work for a scanner for something like a house party, but useless for anything else. Most people, when using 405, combine a few diodes using PBS cubes and the knife edge mirror method.

Scanpro 20's are great to start, but also take a look at the DT25's, they are VERY nice scanners (I have some) and only a little more expensive than the Scanpro's.

Like Elektro said, start with a nice green system and build up.

Thanks for the replies people. Great stuff, im off to a great start!

Welcome! Jump on over to PhotonLexicon.com full on scanner forum.
Scanpros are great i have them, but the DT25's seem to be worth the extra money.
Don't forget that you will need a DAC to control the scanner, unless using the DMX board(but that means no control over what is displayed)
Bluray does not scan well, it all goes a bit fuzzy, but is good for beam shows, you just need alot of it, since its near the invisible spectrum.
A good green to start with and you can do a DIY red, two diodes combined in a PBS cube and you can get 500mW, not bad for DIY.
Good luck and prepare to have a hole in your wallet(this becomes addictive)

After reading lots around the forums i'm starting to be put of when i see the cost of the Pangolin software etc. What cheaper options do i have to go computer controlled? My understanding of scanners is getting there slowly but its still a bit cloudy

Along with the DT25's could someone throw a quick components needed and price for each item list together for me to complete a great starter build for green that i can eventually build up to RGB.

Again, thanks for the help

XysteR said:

After reading lots around the forums i'm starting to be put of when i see the cost of the Pangolin software etc. What cheaper options do i have to go computer controlled?

Click to expand...

Well, Spaghetti is only $50 and with a sound card dac(~$60) that would only be $110 for PC control. You cant edit frames like you can with Pangolin, but Spaghetti is a good option for playing shows.
:beer:
Spaghetti-Link


EDIT: I attached a pricelist for my RGV that I am currently working on.
http://members.cox.net/blgibert3/scannerlog.xls

Soundcard DAC is the way to go for cheap DIY DAC, you need the laserboy correction amp and a usb soundcard +-60 dollars. Prices really depend on how much you have to spend.
I'd say about $500 for a nice setup. Check AndyCons website laser-man.co.uk for tutorials and Andy is very helpful. I would recommend lasershowparts.com for most of your parts, great service and the guys are on PL forum if you need any help.
Pangolin is every laserists wet dream! I'm trying to figure out how to buy the FB3, but my wallet keeps saying NO!

Now i'm feeling better thanks for that, Spaghetti and only spending around $500 sounds good to me! phew..

I got my understanding of scanners from reading the 'how to build a scanner' on AndyCons website, brilliant way of explaining things, made it easy to understand the workings. From this it dawned on me that it only takes 2 lasers to make a RGY lol. Now i'll look to getting my head around how its all computer controlled with the DIY DAC.

I'm itching to start spending on this

Hey guys, I'm not sure where everyone is located, but there is a big meeting for this stuff in North Carolina next month(8/15 and 8/16). It's nothing but a bunch of hobbiests and you guys are certainly welcome to attend. There is an entrance fee to cover the cost of the facility, but if you're interested in laser scanning/shows, this is not the event to miss!

FYI: He is talking about SELEM 2009 SELEM 2009 Info and Sign-up Thread - Photonlexicon

I'd go there but unfortunately i'm from the UK

I'm gonna go with your advice of building a green setup for starters with the Scanpro20. I'll plan out my case to leave plenty of room for adding in the other colours. I'll look into getting the TTL green laser ElektroFreak linked above - I'm assuming this would work with the soundcard DAC or does it need to be specifically an analog driver? i'm not sure about the differences between TTL and analog.

I do have a spare 803T 405 bluray diode sitting doing nothing, after getting the green setup complete would it be possible to build this 405 diode with a higher powered analog driver and try to use it as a blue? For an RGBluray?

I seen a kit for $195 on lasershowparts that has all the stuff i'd need to get the beams together, i was tempted to buy this kit now ready for the future but i think after reading AndyCons info i may save some money and make my own.

Still reading, still learning. But i think i'm doing ok considering its only been a day since i decided to get into scanners. Again, thanks for the patience and help you've all shown

I'll look into getting the TTL green laser ElektroFreak linked above - I'm assuming this would work with the soundcard DAC -YUP, No problem

I do have a spare 803T 405 bluray diode sitting doing nothing, after getting the green setup complete would it be possible to build this 405 diode with a higher powered analog driver and try to use it as a blue? Forget the analog driver and get yourself a FlexMod driver from Dr.Lava, It supports TTL which is WAYYY better :wave:
http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/FlexMod01.php
New diode laser driver available: FlexMod 1! - Photonlexicon

For an RGBluray?
YEAH, I have a RGV (not RGB) and its great, not a prefect match in color but still Kick A$$ - check out the video.
(this was before I replaced the green and red diodes.)

XysteR said:

I'd go there but unfortunately i'm from the UK

Click to expand...

Sry to double post BUT just B/C you are in the UK doesn't mean that you are forgotten

European Laser Meet ! (Norway\Sweeden\Denmark\Finland..etc..) - Photonlexicon

Here's a couple links you should check out if you haven't already:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f47/new-scanners-32674.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/groups/scanner-group/sound-card-dac-tutorial-41.html