Is 300 a good price, in your opinion, for a 2w 445nm handheld?d

What do you think?

where / who are you buying it from?

Depends on the host, the quality of the build (or who the builder is I should say), and you're really paying a premium for 2W bragging rights.

In reality just about any m140 diode will hit ~1.5W with a g1 lens easily, and a build like that will be less than $300.

That said, even 1.5W focused to infinity will start burning things FAST and is far too bright to use indoors without protection.

Based on your post count, I'm guessing this is your first laser. Have you played around at all with a 5mW laser? What about a 30mW laser? Or 200mW?

I'm guessing no.

Bottom line is regardless of the price, you shouldn't get a class four laser as your first laser.

If you want to climb a mountain... don't start with Mt.Everest

Yes that would depend on where the laser comes from !
And how much did the laser safety glasses cost :thinking:

Can I be first in line to buy it from you when you loose your eye sight?

Just kidding. Listen to the others here and get the best safety glasses.

I also agree you must learn to walk before you run.

A little more information would really be helpful.