Looking to buy my 1st Handheld 1W Laser

Coherent Light said:

@Last One Left you did a pretty good job of explaining things, however you did get a bit of it wrong.

Red is in the 650nm range / 635nm is more orange.
Blue is 445nm range / 405nm is getting into UV.

+1 for you.

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Thanks man..really appreciate you correcting me on that and not making fun of me..thanks for educating me on this as well..

AnoxiA said:

lol. you guys.
thanks about the explanation,
by black light I did meant UV
and by white light i meant regular white, which comes from a camera flash for example.

i'm wondering how an UV laser would appear.

so any of you guys own the DragonLaser Spartan Series 1W Blue Handheld Laser ?
any of you guys actually tell me which is better from the ones i mentioned above ?

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Combining the light as shown in the pictures will give you the regular white light..and the black light, is like a regular violet laser..405nm..Not sure what is the best nm for actual black light..

Leodahsan said:

@AnoxiA
if black light equals to UV, around 360nm it is UVA, fully invisible light.
You can achieve white light with a RGB combiner, red + green + blue laser. However, some say that is it achievable by other methods/wavelengths.

1W will screw up your vision. Both are bad if you haven't had any other lasers.

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About that black at 360nm, is that easily achieved? and are there much practical use? thanks..

Hmm still not recommended. I don't believe when someone says "I'm going to use goggles" because they just don't. They wanna the blue beam, they will get the blue beam.

My recommendation: as you had a 100mW greenie, stick to burner PHRs and reddies.. the class IV isn't a toy...


@Last One Left
I've never seen a ~360nm laser. Someone achieved a handheld, the cost was $1.5mi anyways. Excimer is always an option if you want UV

Yeah, not to repeat everything that everyone here has said, but a 1W laser is *not* something that you should buy.

My first laser was a 200mW (probably more like 100-150mW) 532nm (green) laser, and that was a bad idea. Always start out weak until you get to understand more about the hobby and the dangers that comes with it.

And personally, I think that *no one* should buy a 1W blue laser. Ever. It's ridiculously expensive, and it's not worth the money for the low power. Buy a couple of 50-200mW lasers, sure, because those are cheap, but when it comes to a 1W+ laser, just make it yourself - I built a 1W labby style laser (cheaper, but still handhelds are cheap too) for about 70$. Really, it's not worth it to buy it.

guys, after reading this post:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/wtb-complete-1w-package-uni-project-61107.html

i don't really get why you guys taking this that serious..
i mean. i had a green 100mW and i didnt even knew about the risks, i played with it like a really cool toy, never knew about the burning abilities of it and i didn't hurt myself or more importantly others,

the moment i learned about the burning abilities of the laser it really got me interested, then i started to search around and seen the 1W one's.

my point is, even if this guy in the other post does wanted it as a new interesting hobby...whats wrong with that? it seems like he's grown up enough to be reasonable and calculated, so why you don't make sure he knows about the risks instead of telling him: "its wrong" or "its risky".
i think that its pretty fascinating and everyone who is grown enough should be able to experience this if he want to.... the point is:
stop telling him its risky, tell him why its risky and how can he make sure its 100% safe...

dont you think?
(i think this is the longest text i ever written in english so i'm sorry for any typo's or invalid writing )


BTW:
i came across these:
http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Wicked_Optics_Set_Expanded-72-28.html

do you know where can i get something little bit cheaper then that?
(sorry if i'm asking too much questions )

Hmm.. 1W isn't needed, trust us. You will be amazed/amaze a lot more with a greenie than with a >1W blue.

About the guy on the thread you linked;
If he would be a grown up guy, he wouldn't call Daguin the "Gestapo" of lasers :crackup:.

ok guys, i saw this:
MMS: Error
i think i'm going to need some help picking a glasses
also. are there another risks involved i would love to be prepared

EDIT:
ammm, i read some post recommended:
http://www.dragonlasers.com/catalog...reen-Lasers-Protection-190-548nm-p-16242.html
the guy said there are fine for a blue 1W laser, i guess i have a winner

@AnoxiA:
You are allowed to spend your money on whatever you choose.
Just be warned... there is significant risk when operating a Class IV laser outside of a controlled environment.

There is a reason why some countries have regulations on what you can buy and use in public.
In the thread you referred to, the guy was clearly showing disregard for proper safety protocol. It is a big deal because (so he claims) it was for a public event.
These regulations are in place for your own safety. The regulations would not exist if lasers were harmless.

You might think your "100mW" green laser is no big deal, but 1000mW is definitely something to respect. Just because you are an adult, it does not make you an exception to what Class IV lasers can do. The short wavelength and high intensity can cause immediate affects on vision even if your eyes are not directly exposed to the beam. You may lose sensitivity to blue and green or notice persistent after-images. 1W of 445nm laser light can cause instantaneous retinal degeneration if you are directly exposed to it. It can cause severe thermal burns to skin with prolonged exposure.
1% of 1000mW is 10mW. 10mW is Class IIIb, which is enough to cause irreparable damage to your vision in the worst case scenario.

Never assume that it's "just a bright light."
Lasers are dangerous, period. There is no way around it.

Nobody can tell you what you can and can't buy, but please make an informed decision. Know what you are buying and how to use it safely.
You came here for information, so you should at least consider what we are telling you here before you buy.

@RA_Pierce
there is a way around the lasers dangers; using goggles.

@AnoxiA
he is absolutely right. I don't like when people drop by asking advice to get a 1W laser. That can help USA congress blocking people from having lasers, if you do something wrong with yours. I'm concerned with my friends, not with you.

Leodahsan said:

@RA_Pierce
there is a way around the lasers dangers; using goggles.

@AnoxiA
he is absolutely right. I don't like when people drop by asking advice to get a 1W laser. That can help USA congress blocking people from having lasers, if you do something wrong with yours. I'm concerned with my friends, not with you.

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I'm hoping sense there English is bad there not in the US... And if thats the case you have been Warned do what you wish...I hope they don't live in the US anyways...

@Krogith
Hmmm you're right dude...


@AnoxiA
some say that the spartan has battery issues. Are you sure that you want that color/power? Some members sell 'kits' where you can make yours.. no customs fear there :wave:

I still don't know why everyone always says that a 1W laser should never be your first one. Beginners usually suck at things, but not all are clueless. I did my research on lasers and laser laws before making my first purchase. My first laser was an Arctic that laster for 23 hours, before it broke due to it being shoddily made. I now have a 1W Spartan with safety glasses from Dragon Lasers, and have been nothing(mostly) but safe with it.

Raiden Gekkou said:

I still don't know why everyone always says that a 1W laser should never be your first one. Beginners usually suck at things, but not all are clueless. I did my research on lasers and laser laws before making my first purchase. My first laser was an Arctic that laster for 23 hours, before it broke due to it being shoddily made. I now have a 1W Spartan with safety glasses from Dragon Lasers, and have been nothing(mostly) but safe with it.

Click to expand...

I agree with this.

A few years ago, aside from those dollar store 1mw red pointers, my first real laser was a multi-watt argon ion provided by my physics teacher (Spectra physics? I forgot the make... I wish now I still had it, but it wasn't mine to keep). That thing was ungodly bright compared to what my 445's can do right now and certanly pushed alot more power. (although 445nm's where my solid start with diode lasers, high power at the visable spectrum is quite attractive). As you can see im still writing this paragraph and don't use braille, or have burn marks from these things.

The cheapness and amazing output of these diodes very attractive, and I would'nt mind telling you that you may get it as your first laser. just use common sence and follow the saftey advice given here. I followed my physics teacher's advice and took it seriously. You are given advice here and can find even more saftey guidelines throughout the forum, so I suggest that you also take it into full seriousness.

I consider lasers just as another tool. I say that you need to follow your own common sence and judjment and seek the protective messures required to work with this tool, as any tool does. Failiure to do so can and will have harmfull concenquences to yourself and/or others. So at the end its at your own money and your own discretion to deside what you wish to do.

Tools dont have brains, use your own.

Raiden Gekkou said:

I still don't know why everyone always says that a 1W laser should never be your first one.

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Because, as the old saying goes, "on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog".


Who are we to know what kind of person you are when you come here as a newbie,
asking for a 1W laser?
You might be the Pope, trying to get God's attention with the help of his new Arctic, or you
might be Osama, trying to crash some more planes for all we know.

The only way for us to trust the newb, is for the newb to contribute to this site.
Be it with pictures of his own builds, be it with thoughtful comments.
Over time, the newb will gain our trust, and cease to be a newb. OR NOT!

I'm terribly sorry, but for the sake of safety, I must consider everyone who's 1st post is:
"I wanna 1W LAZOR, NOW!"
to be a 12 year old kid who wants to be Darth Vader.
Not that there's anything wrong with WANTING THAT, but if I did anything else than
advice him to buy a 650nm, 532nm, 405nm "5mW" from ebay instead, I would
be a terribly irresponsible member of this community.

Leodahsan said:

@AnoxiA
some say that the spartan has battery issues. Are you sure that you want that color/power? Some members sell 'kits' where you can make yours.. no customs fear there :wave:

Click to expand...

thanks for the tip.
but i'm afraid for a first timer 1W i wouldn't want to build it myself,i think its pretty risky to mess with this kind of power, so for the first time i most likely to buy some that built in a supervised environment and has less chance to harm someone.
i think that for the 1st time i just want to experience it, b4 i'm going to mess with building one myself.

Raiden Gekkou said:

I still don't know why everyone always says that a 1W laser should never be your first one. Beginners usually suck at things, but not all are clueless. I did my research on lasers and laser laws before making my first purchase. My first laser was an Arctic that laster for 23 hours, before it broke due to it being shoddily made. I now have a 1W Spartan with safety glasses from Dragon Lasers, and have been nothing(mostly) but safe with it.

Click to expand...

thank you very much for trying to understand my side as-well.
and just like you, i'm doing my research and trying to be 100% prepared and familiar with the risks and safety guidelines.

GBD said:

I agree with this.

A few years ago, aside from those dollar store 1mw red pointers, my first real laser was a multi-watt argon ion provided by my physics teacher (Spectra physics? I forgot the make... I wish now I still had it, but it wasn't mine to keep). That thing was ungodly bright compared to what my 445's can do right now and certanly pushed alot more power. (although 445nm's where my solid start with diode lasers, high power at the visable spectrum is quite attractive). As you can see im still writing this paragraph and don't use braille, or have burn marks from these things.

The cheapness and amazing output of these diodes very attractive, and I would'nt mind telling you that you may get it as your first laser. just use common sence and follow the saftey advice given here. I followed my physics teacher's advice and took it seriously. You are given advice here and can find even more saftey guidelines throughout the forum, so I suggest that you also take it into full seriousness.

I consider lasers just as another tool. I say that you need to follow your own common sence and judjment and seek the protective messures required to work with this tool, as any tool does. Failiure to do so can and will have harmfull concenquences to yourself and/or others. So at the end its at your own money and your own discretion to deside what you wish to do.

Tools dont have brains, use your own.

Click to expand...

Thanks for actually helping me and guiding me how to be safe instead of just lecturing me on how its wrong to buy a 1W laser.

anselm said:

Because, as the old saying goes, "on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog".

Who are we to know what kind of person you are when you come here as a newbie,
asking for a 1W laser?
You might be the Pope, trying to get God's attention with the help of his new Arctic, or you
might be Osama, trying to crash some more planes for all we know.

The only way for us to trust the newb, is for the newb to contribute to this site.
Be it with pictures of his own builds, be it with thoughtful comments.
Over time, the newb will gain our trust, and cease to be a newb. OR NOT!

I'm terribly sorry, but for the sake of safety, I must consider everyone who's 1st post is:
"I wanna 1W LAZOR, NOW!"
to be a 12 year old kid who wants to be Darth Vader.
Not that there's anything wrong with WANTING THAT, but if I did anything else than
advice him to buy a 650nm, 532nm, 405nm "5mW" from ebay instead, I would
be a terribly irresponsible member of this community.

Click to expand...

well, i'm pretty offended by your attitude, but i guess you have some responsibility that doesn't allow you to trust ppl without actually knowing them.
for me, my starting position is to trust ppl, then they could break or to reinforce this trust,
but i never start with NOT TRUSTING anyone.

TRUE, i'm a newb, but i dont think that makes me an idiot or Irresponsible.
i'm afraid for my safety as well as for ppl around me.
thats why i'm not going to buy it until i'll be sure i've got the most from this thread.
and i'm really not a kid, and not into the whole start wars thingi.
my motives are pretty much stupid though, i just find interesting the point where a beam of light which is Not dangerous at all, "compressed" so much into the point they actually disfiguring solid materials. this transaction from totally safe visible light to radiation.

also, i must say, things like what some said at page one really make me feel unwanted and Unwelcome here, which is sad because although my bad english i do think i need a place to share my thoughts and progress with this new hobby.

Hmm I disagree. There isn't a need for 1 watt, period. I don't know what about you guys are struggling about. We just don't want people to get blind and give lasers a bad reputation.

Leodahsan said:

Hmm I disagree. There isn't a need for 1 watt, period. I don't know what about you guys are struggling about.

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Based on my past week or so reading this forums' archives, 90% or more of the members on this forum don't NEED a high powered laser, they want it.

The fact is that us noobs are not coming here for your "permission" to own a laser, nor do we need it. We are coming for saftey advice and techincal questions answered. The fact that us noobs are actually here asking for advice and guidance should speak into our common sense and character and our desrie to be safe, especially considering how easy these 1w or greater lasers are to get!

Hell I saw a 1.7W Mag light hosted home built 445 sell on ebay just last week! (I got my Arctic off ebay as well). Google 1w laser and you will have NO PROBLEM finding one to buy.

Now in my short time here I haven't had a crossed word with anyone here. You have been MORE than helpful and polite with me, and I do appreciate that very much. I fully understand and support the LPF members' desire to keep lasers out of the hands of those who are not informed. So when they come here asking to be informed and educated...inform them and educate them, don't run them off....because they are going to buy it no matter what you say.