- Joined
- Nov 30, 2010
- Messages
- 27
- Points
- 3
Hey guys,
I’m new to this hobby and very glad to have found this forum! I have been poring over the info here and elsewhere trying to educate myself as much as possible before purchasing anything more powerful than the 5mW green 532nm NewWish style pen I picked up recently. The stickies, guides and tutorials that many of you have taken the time to create have been particularly helpful. Among other things, I teach science and I’m excited about integrating a little laser work into some of the demos I do.
So a few questions for you veterans:
1. I’d like to get a portable that would be capable of some thermal effects with a nice bright beam for wow factor with reliability and safety as foremost concerns. This would be outdoors. Thinking green as I’ve read there are some additional hazards with higher powered blues. Not sure of the validity of the latter but 532nm beams are supposed to be brighter in outdoor daylight anyway. Is that correct? I’m assuming something in the range of 400-600mW should get the job done. Think that would work?
2. How necessary or desirable is it to have a focusable laser for outdoor burning/balloon popping etc? How about at a little longer range? Time for a beam expander then?
3. Most importantly what would be your recommendations for good laser goggles/glasses? I may need to purchase enough for a small group so price would be a big consideration but also I would appreciate a rec for a really high quality pair regardless of price. (Pair for me for testing/play etc).
Having read your reviews about various companies it seems there are many to stay away from but others that appear to be trustworthy. I am leaning towards O-Like for an order but would be open to buying some lasers from some of you guys as it seems from the reviews that some of the builds from people on this forum are far superior to most of the commercial products. That right there says a lot to me about this place.
I appreciate any advice or opinions. Thanks!
I’m new to this hobby and very glad to have found this forum! I have been poring over the info here and elsewhere trying to educate myself as much as possible before purchasing anything more powerful than the 5mW green 532nm NewWish style pen I picked up recently. The stickies, guides and tutorials that many of you have taken the time to create have been particularly helpful. Among other things, I teach science and I’m excited about integrating a little laser work into some of the demos I do.
So a few questions for you veterans:
1. I’d like to get a portable that would be capable of some thermal effects with a nice bright beam for wow factor with reliability and safety as foremost concerns. This would be outdoors. Thinking green as I’ve read there are some additional hazards with higher powered blues. Not sure of the validity of the latter but 532nm beams are supposed to be brighter in outdoor daylight anyway. Is that correct? I’m assuming something in the range of 400-600mW should get the job done. Think that would work?
2. How necessary or desirable is it to have a focusable laser for outdoor burning/balloon popping etc? How about at a little longer range? Time for a beam expander then?
3. Most importantly what would be your recommendations for good laser goggles/glasses? I may need to purchase enough for a small group so price would be a big consideration but also I would appreciate a rec for a really high quality pair regardless of price. (Pair for me for testing/play etc).
Having read your reviews about various companies it seems there are many to stay away from but others that appear to be trustworthy. I am leaning towards O-Like for an order but would be open to buying some lasers from some of you guys as it seems from the reviews that some of the builds from people on this forum are far superior to most of the commercial products. That right there says a lot to me about this place.
I appreciate any advice or opinions. Thanks!