Why are LPM's so expensive?

hoo7h said:

Why would you care about measuring your laser ?
Unless if you are selling the laser and you want to proof the power to the costumer you shouldnt care

I wouldn't buy it even for $20

My measure is the burning effect

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Well don't let this thread stop you. Still, some of us like to use our lasers for more than inane tasks such as popping black balloons, or lighting sharpied matches.

hoo7h said:

Why would you care about measuring your laser ?
Unless if you are selling the laser and you want to proof the power to the costumer you shouldnt care

I wouldn't buy it even for $20

My measure is the burning effect

Click to expand...

My measure is running a lasershow and seeing how many lawsuits I can get from blinded people

Le Quack said:

This is something I've never quite understood. I built my own LPM using maybe $20, if even that worth in parts. The only thing I would need to do to make it look professional would be get an enclosure box for it (which would cost another what, $5?)

Point is I don't understand the high price tag for LPM's. I know labor and development obviously contribute to it, but for a basic Analog LPM, it seems like they could easily sell for $40-50!

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Because I don't have the knowledge to build them.

However, I went over numbers the other day to find my minimum markup when I begin selling again.

assuming i have a part that cost me $0.87 per items...
cost to me = $0.87
Mark it up 250% ($2.18) = $3.05
Charge shipping ($1.75) = $4.80

So total shipped would be $4.80.

I receive payment and paypal takes 2.9% + $0.30 ($0.44) = $4.36
30% (of total sale price) is set aside for taxes. High, but better than owing the IRS ($1.44) = $2.92
Shipping purchased ($1.75) = $1.17
cost of item for restocking ($0.87) = $0.30


This does not even include packaging material. such as envelopes baggies, bubble wrap, poly bags, and the most expensive of all is the time.


the pricing is not as extreme with higher dollar items but you can see how the little things that don't seem like they would make an impact on their own, quickly add up and bite you in the ass.

This is why people do group buys, and add on just $1 or $2 to each itme and end up having to pay out of their own pocket to finish the buy.

Le Quack said:

This is something I've never quite understood. I built my own LPM using maybe $20, if even that worth in parts. The only thing I would need to do to make it look professional would be get an enclosure box for it (which would cost another what, $5?)

Point is I don't understand the high price tag for LPM's. I know labor and development obviously contribute to it, but for a basic Analog LPM, it seems like they could easily sell for $40-50!

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25 in parts cool .......now assuming its going to take a hour to make one ( these times and number are straight out my arse btw) and lets say the maker is super nice and charges 8$ for labor. now thats 32. but remember it has to be accurate a real thermophile lpm from a company like coherent cost in the thousands. also every one has to pay taxes. now want a little profit so we can make money instead of lose it? 100% so no we are at 64$. we havent accounted for testing, quality control, time spent advertising, putting up a site etc. but most important a lpm i expect to buy should have laser cutouts for the display high build quality and a clean look. you cannot get these with a dremel i also want nice printed pcbs. everything cost money.