Looking for a scanner just for fun

Hey guys,
I do a bit of programming and I really want to buy a laser scanner. I'm a noob to show lasers but have owned high powered laser pointers in the past so I'm aware of safety precautions.

How do you get started? What kind of software can you run and how do you drive a scanner off of a PC?

I'd like to get something for under $1000. I would love to learn how to do animations and neat effects.

Any places I should start looking?

Thanks!

well, I'm sellling my LKPD2 laser projector, it can use DMX control board or hook up to a PC via ILDA. I dont have a control board or the software to go with it, or the ILDA cord. I always just used the stock settings. but it has some capabilities for customization.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f47/lasershowgen-ilda-file-creation-tool-91084-2.html

unfortunately I am much less knowledgable about this subject than many others here, like Grix

I think the scanners in mine are 20k, but I know 30 and 40k scanners exist, though some might have limited angles at higher speed. sorry, I dont exactly know what I'm talking about so I'm just gonna let someone else

what I am pretty sure of is that a scanner is only one component of a projector, and that you could get one or more of them for much less than $1000

Could you send me some details on your LKPD2?

Is there a reference of the different specs you should look for in a scanner/projector? Also, how do you put out patterns? I know DMX doesn't allow you to use your own designs.

:thanks:

well, I'm uploading some video of it working but some of my videos were too long to upload to photobucket, so I'll have to re-shoot some, lemme see if I can find a you tube video

I know scanner speed is one important spec, the higher the better. you need a program like pangolin to make custom animations. like I said, there's many here more knowledgable than I. the Photo lexicon forum may be a better place to go for projector info

here's a thread on PL where someone is selling/sold one as well. they claim it's a good entry level projector, that's what I'd say as well.

SELLING LK-PD2 Projector 500mW

here is a review of the same pj I have from a member here:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/lk-pd2-laser-projector-review-picture-heavy-86734-3.html

I think this video was custom made using the LK PD2:


here's what it's stock settings do:








it also has a beam show setting I couldnt readily find a vid for. will try to get mine uploaded tonight

Thanks for the info man. I'll shoot you a PM.

I made a post responding to a similar question on reddit, so I'll just copy/paste the answer here. Sorry in advance if there are any parts of the answer that doesn't fit your question exactly, for example the other poster had a much lower budget than yours, but I cant be arsed to rewrite the whole thing :

You might be able to get like a dirt cheap projector like this: NEW 600mW rgb mini party lights,disco laser/animation laser projector for christmas-in Stage Lighting Effect from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

The projector linked above actually does seem to have an ILDA connector. It's still not a good projector at all, but if you only care about low price, it will have to do. I would really recommend upgrading to at least something like this, though, which is probably around twice the power and also supports analog color modulation if you ask for it (practically unlimited number of color vs only 7 on TTL): SD Card 1200mw ilda & dmx rgb laser sd card, 1.2W RGB animation laser sd card-in Stage Lighting Effect from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Then, in addition to the projector you need 1) a DAC, a device that controls the ILDA interface via a PC, and 2) PC software to make and play shows

The cheapest option right now for these is probably a RIYA multibus lite DAC, plus ********* laser show software, which will run you about $200 including the DAC: http://www.hingednewt.com/Pages/*********.aspx (the guy selling ********* also sells RIYA DACs for $100 if you email him). LasershowXpress is the next step up and highly acclaimed, but that starts at $130 alone without a DAC: https://innolasers.com/shop/index.php?id_product=18&controller=product

You can also use my software, LasershowGen, to create shows for much cheaper, but I don't support DAC output yet, so you'd have to get another program to output the shows anyway, or load the shows onto an SD card and play them through the laser projector which is inflexible. LasershowGen - ILDA / Laser frame creation tool

However, I am actually in the process of designing a cheap DAC which will make the cost of entry much lower for people like you, unfortunately it will be several months until it is formally announced and released.

EDIT: The word 5paghett1 is censored on these forums

you will need galvos (scanners), a DAC, and software.

software talks to the dac which converts commands to control voltage signals that are fed into the galvo inputs (XY) and also into modulation circuits for diodes.

you can get decent galvos, plus kick ass software and DAC for under 1k$. no problem.

if you're interested in hobby level mashing buttons and making pretty light, pangolin's quickshow / fb3 is a good deal at ~600$. if you're interested in doing intense eye melty awesome shows, LSX and an etherdream DAC is an excellent deal at ~400$. etherdream dacs have open api's if you want to do your own programming down the road.

some links:

LSX (basic) https://innolasers.com/shop/index.php?id_product=18&controller=product#/lsx_level_and_options-basic

Etherdream: Ether Dream - Laser Components & Tools

Pangolin FB3 / QS: Amazon.com: Pangolin Quickshow FB3-QS version 2.0 laser show software package: Industrial & Scientific

Galvos: PT40A Lightspace Co.,Ltd.

LSX has a learning curve. Far more than Quickshow, but it is quite a lot more powerful. if you're curious about LSX in action, here's a show I made with it.

dominick said:

Hey guys,
I do a bit of programming and I really want to buy a laser scanner. I'm a noob to show lasers but have owned high powered laser pointers in the past so I'm aware of safety precautions.

How do you get started? What kind of software can you run and how do you drive a scanner off of a PC?

I'd like to get something for under $1000. I would love to learn how to do animations and neat effects.

Any places I should start looking?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

thanks for showing up with input guys, you two were exactly the two I thought could best help.

Thanks everyone. This is all great information. I'm going to do a little more research on software and a 30k scanner and hopefully I can land something under my budget without having to build my own.

damn those thing look awesome...