Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

More Power or less?

B

bobyojoe

0
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
1
Points
0
I'm going to build a laser soon, but I don't know which diode I should get. I'm torn between two that DTR is selling, the 9mm 445nm one that is 3W and the M140 diodes that are one or two watts. Is there any reason one is better than the other? Is 3 watts significantly more than 1/2 that it would be way more dangerous? And what would be "better" one watt or two if they're the same price (I feel like 1 watt can do everything 2 watt can, is having more power in the diode necessarily worth the increased risk?).

Thanks
 





ChaosLord

ChaosLord

0
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
744
Points
28
Not really. 1W, in many ways is as dangerous as 2W. Sure, technically 2W is brighter, will burn things a little faster. Either could irreparably damage your eye in a fraction of a second.
 
Cel

Cel

0
Joined
Jan 28, 2012
Messages
742
Points
28
Well, you can under-drive the 9mm one to get much longer expected life of the LD.

Everything over 500mW is very dangerous, so 1W or 2W will both damage your eyes (and stuff) without safety equipment and precautions.
 
Last edited:
djQUAN

djQUAN

0
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
1,154
Points
63
There are many factors to consider.

-what is your desired host? can it handle the heat?
-what is the battery?
-how long will you keep it turned on per use?
-how much are you willing to spend?
 
Hitokiri Battousai

Hitokiri Battousai

0
Joined
May 2, 2014
Messages
52
Points
0
ChaosLord said:
Not really. 1W, in many ways is as dangerous as 2W. Sure, technically 2W is brighter, will burn things a little faster. Either could irreparably damage your eye in a fraction of a second.
Click to expand...


I was thinking of getting 2 W laser. Not a big difference, really?
2W does not make much difference? :(
 
Livinloud

Livinloud

0
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
5,013
Points
0
Just put it this way; the bare eye safe limit is 5mW so 2W is 400 times stronger than what your bare eye can handle. 3W is 600 times more, doesnt matter at that point, if you dont have protection you will injure your vision
 
mortuus

mortuus

0
Joined
Dec 6, 2013
Messages
1,236
Points
48
BubonicCronic said:
I think anything over 1W is over kill.

There is a big difference between 1 and 2W. Yes they both will murder your eyes with a direct hit but you have to think of reflection. Reflections cut the powers considerably depending on the medium being reflected from. If you double the power you also double the power from the reflection. You could easily turn a near harmless reflection into a potentially dangerous reflection. In my opinion the small amount of extra brightness you'll get from a 2W laser is not worth danger. 1W is very bright, and will burn items easily. Anything over that is bragging rights.
Click to expand...

I agree, not to mention how long does the battery last on those 2w+ lasers? not to long i imagine.
 
Cel

Cel

0
Joined
Jan 28, 2012
Messages
742
Points
28
mortuus said:
I agree, not to mention how long does the battery last on those 2w+ lasers? not to long i imagine.
Click to expand...

What if I told you

that you can use 2x26650 or 2x326650 batteries.





.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.





Top