What makes a HeNe so special?

I have been recently looking at HeNe lasers, i like the color because its a nice 635nm dark orange. I know Atlasnova sells a 635nm pointer that runs of AAA's. What is the big difference if they both put out 635nm light? the pointer cost far less then a tube and such on eBay.

I tried finding information of this but was unsuccessful. So what should I get?

There are many advantages - a HeNe will have better beam properties and whatnot, but the main cost difference in the trouble of making them. A real, new HeNe will run you hundreds of dollars, the ones on eBay are only cheaper because they're used surplus lasers.

They are pretty much lasers from a bygone era at this point though. There was a time before semiconductor lasers where HeNe's were your pretty much your only option. In the last decade though we've seen red laser diodes capable of over 100mW come to be affordable for barely more than pocketchange. A 100mW HeNe would still be a sight to see - many meters in length and many thousands of dollars to make.

For hobbyists like us, it is more of a novelty item then anything. It is nice to add a gas laser to the collection if all you have are diode or DPSS lasers.

so there basically the same thing? all i want is a nice orange glow ;D

laserwanabe said:

so there basically the same thing? all i want is a nice orange glow ;D

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If you want an orangish laser then go with the atlasnova pointer.

thanks that what i wanted to know.

they're just cool! Like styro said, they're more just a novelty but they sure do look cool when they're running.