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Green vs Blue, Is the distance/range difference significant?

Wake

Wake

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Hi all,

How much of a difference is a 532nm vs a 445nm laser? I'm starting to get into lasers and I want something that I'll enjoy. I recently got a cheap "5mw" 532nm laser from ebay using the laser 303 host. I want to get a pointer that has a nice wide and visible beam that can reach long distances and that can be seen from afar. I'm not looking to spend much but I want something that will last. I was looking at the The "BitBrew" 1300mW 445nm Blue Handheld Laser from bitlasers and I was wondering if this would fit my needs. Is eye protection a must even when using this laser or other blue lasers outside with no reflective surfaces around?

If you have any recommendations please let me know.

Thanks
 
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Razako

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Eye protection isn't really necessary so long as you're using that laser outdoors, and you don't shine it on anything within around 50 feet.

If you want something that can be seen from super far away you'll need a laser with a beam expander. Those don't come cheap though.
 
Wake

Wake

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Razako said:
Eye protection isn't really necessary so long as you're using that laser outdoors, and you don't shine it on anything within around 50 feet.

If you want something that can be seen from super far away you'll need a laser with a beam expander. Those don't come cheap though.
Click to expand...

I'll buy a pair just to be safe then. Do you think the "BitBrew" is a good 445nm laser that's pretty visible without a beam expander? I just really want something that has a very visible beam and has a decent range 500-1000 meters.
 
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Sta

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Welcome to the forum, Wake!
The BitBrew laser is not going to be good at 500-1000m. For that kind of range you'd be better off with a 532nm laser.
Also, 532nm is significantly brighter than 445nm, per mW.
I suppose I'll copy and paste what I recommended on reddit:

KnifeOfPi2 said:
532nm probably has the best range and brightness, and if you buy from the right company, a wide beam as well.

If you're willing to take a bit of a risk, I might recommend XPL. I didn't include it in my guide because few people have bought from it (though I have, and the 2 lasers I have are absolutely up to spec.) Here's the particular laser (500mW 532nm). It should meet all of your needs, and it's one of the brightest lasers that I have.

Also, if you contact the owner by clicking the company's "Contact Us" link on AliExpress, you can get a 15% discount if you tell him you're from LaserPointerForums. You can also arrange to pay by PayPal if you'd like. :)
Click to expand...
 
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Wake

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Sta said:
Welcome to the forum, Wake!
The BitBrew laser is not going to be good at 500-1000m. For that kind of range you'd be better off with a 532nm laser.
Also, 532nm is significantly brighter than 445nm, per mW.
I suppose I'll copy and paste what I recommended on reddit:
Click to expand...

Since that XPL laser requires a 18650 battery that's even better. How's the build quality? I'll definitely contact them and try and get a discount. Do you know if they offer faster shipping? It already costs $25 USD with 20-40day shipping to Canada :(
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
Since that XPL laser requires a 18650 battery that's even better. How's the build quality? I'll definitely contact them and try and get a discount. Do you know if they offer faster shipping? It already costs $25 USD with 20-40day shipping to Canada :(
Click to expand...

With regard to build quality, that thing is built like a tank! You could probably beat someone over the head with it and keep using it, though I wouldn't recommend doing that. :crackup:

Though I recommend you unscrew it from the middle rather than the back, as the threading on the tailcap can make an annoying sound. Also, it's case negative, so the battery goes in facing towards the front of the laser. :)

They do indeed have faster shipping (DHL) for only a few bucks more. I got mine in under a week!
 
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Wake

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Sta said:
With regard to build quality, that thing is built like a tank! You could probably beat someone over the head with it and keep using it, though I wouldn't recommend doing that. :crackup:

Though I recommend you unscrew it from the middle rather than the back, as the threading on the tailcap can make an annoying sound. Also, it's case negative, so the battery goes in facing towards the front of the laser. :)

They do indeed have faster shipping (DHL) for only a few bucks more. I got mine in under a week!
Click to expand...

Alright thank you for the help. I just contacted them. How long did they take to reply to you? I want to purchase this asap so I can get it asap ;)
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
Alright thank you for the help. I just contacted them. How long did they take to reply to you? I want to purchase this asap so I can get it asap ;)
Click to expand...

Peng replies incredibly quickly, normally within 20 minutes if it's during daytime in China.
Though since you haven't contacted him before, I'd expect a reply within 1-2 hours. :D

Please keep us updated! It would be great if you could make a review of this laser on LPF once it arrives. We're all interested in knowing if XPL is consistent.
 
Wake

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Sta said:
Peng replies incredibly quickly, normally within 20 minutes if it's during daytime in China.
Though since you haven't contacted him before, I'd expect a reply within 1-2 hours. :D

Please keep us updated! It would be great if you could make a review of this laser on LPF once it arrives. We're all interested in knowing if XPL is consistent.
Click to expand...

Oh also I forgot to ask. I just assumed that when you recommended it that the beam was just as wide as the 445nm laser. Is this particular XPL laser's beam just as wide as a typical 445nm laser? This is my final question for now.. :thinking: I'll definitely keep you updated :)
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
Oh also I forgot to ask. I just assumed that when you recommended it that the beam was just as wide as the 445nm laser. Is this particular XPL laser's beam just as wide as a typical 445nm laser? This is my final question for now.. :thinking: I'll definitely keep you updated :)
Click to expand...

I just checked and it's exactly as wide as my 445nm laser! Of course, it's much more rounded (though not as round as the beam of a more expensive 532.)
Edit: Please list your lasers in your signature. :)
 
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Wake

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Sta said:
I just checked and it's exactly as wide as my 445nm laser! Of course, it's much more rounded (though not as round as the beam of a more expensive 532.)
Edit: Please list your lasers in your signature. :)
Click to expand...

I'm still waiting for a reply :( Did the shipping cost change when you got in contact with the seller? If I were to order right now with no discount it would cost $88 CDN with DHL and the China Post shipping is already $32 CDN. Those shipping prices are pretty high.
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
I'm still waiting for a reply :( Did the shipping cost change when you got in contact with the seller? If I were to order right now with no discount it would cost $88 CDN with DHL and the China Post shipping is already $32 CDN. Those shipping prices are pretty high.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the shipping cost on the page is wrong. If I recall correctly China Post was 25 USD and DHL was 32 USD.

About Peng not responding, I forgot to mention that he is in Shenzhen right now, doing testing on a new driver, so he won't be able to respond for a day or so. I only noticed this one I contacted him. :shhh:
 
Wake

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Sta said:
Yeah, the shipping cost on the page is wrong. If I recall correctly China Post was 25 USD and DHL was 32 USD.

About Peng not responding, I forgot to mention that he is in Shenzhen right now, doing testing on a new driver, so he won't be able to respond for a day or so. I only noticed this one I contacted him. :shhh:
Click to expand...

Alright hopefully he responds soon. I also noticed it comes with a charger and battery, do you think he would be able to arrange to ship it without those? I know that anything battery related can cause issues at customs plus I already have a some LG HG2, Sony VTC4 and Samsung 25R 18650s. If there's anything you could do to let him know that I'm interested in purchasing from him and maybe let him know about the shipping price error that would be great. You seem to know him pretty well :) Thanks :D
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
Alright hopefully he responds soon. I also noticed it comes with a charger and battery, do you think he would be able to arrange to ship it without those? I know that anything battery related can cause issues at customs plus I already have a some LG HG2, Sony VTC4 and Samsung 25R 18650s. If there's anything you could do to let him know that I'm interested in purchasing from him and maybe let him know about the shipping price error that would be great. You seem to know him pretty well :) Thanks :D
Click to expand...

When he sent mine it didn't come with a charger and battery - just ask him not to send those if you're concerned. Unfortunately I can't contact him while he's in Shenzhen; I'm using the same aliexpress contact system you are. But once I can do so I will definitely inform him of the shipping price error. :)
 
Wake

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Sta said:
When he sent mine it didn't come with a charger and battery - just ask him not to send those if you're concerned. Unfortunately I can't contact him while he's in Shenzhen; I'm using the same aliexpress contact system you are. But once I can do so I will definitely inform him of the shipping price error. :)
Click to expand...

Okay thanks for all the help. I just finished watching your video on the laser, it looks amazing. I'm going to assume it looks better in person than on camera.
 
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Sta

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Wake said:
Okay thanks for all the help. I just finished watching your video on the laser, it looks amazing. I'm going to assume it looks better in person than on camera.
Click to expand...

Definitely, that's absolutely the case. It is stunning at night. :)
 
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