[Buy] 125mW or above (Green or Blue)

Good day everyone.

This is my first time visiting this forum, but not my first time being around lasers.

I have a simple laser pen, el cheapo from the office store, but I've long been interested in a laser with melting/burning capabilities. Something I can use for experiments and star pointing.

I have been researching lasers all over the net, but since I have no knowledge of optic equipment, I am at a loss for the type I should be purchasing.

WL and DL have nice lasers, but some are quite expensive, and others seem to get poor reviews.

I stumbled across this laser from a forum post:
Focalprice.com offers 500Mw 1000m 532-1064nm Green Laser Pointer Pen with Lock Switch (Black) ,discount 500Mw 1000m 532-1064nm Green Laser Pointer Pen with Lock Switch (Black),500Mw 1000m 532-1064nm Green Laser Pointer Pen with Lock Switch (Black) pr

I particularly like the key feature on it, but it's not something I require.

comparing that laser to the ones seen on say Dragon Lasers, it is quite powerful and also quite under priced.

Being a careful shopper of online goods, I want to know if there are reasons that this laser costs so little, compared to the big name companies.

Are cheaper lasers that feature high output more likely to break or wear out? Or is the "name brand" the only reason the WL and DL lasers are so costly.

Apologies for my TL;DR post, but I noticed a lot of knowledgeable people here and figured that someone looking to help would appreciate my straightforwardness.

To start off; that will NOT be 500mw. Focalprice sells cheap lasers that are hardly up to spec. It MIGHT be 100mw. Also, if you're going to be using lasers oh mid-high power ( I say 20mw+) You should have safety glasses. If you're going to buy 100mw+ YOU MUST BUY SAFETY GLASSES. Star pointing can be done with a 5mw green on any night and the beam will be visable to those directly around you. A good 400mw will cost ~$200 ( from O-like).

Also, may I ask what experiments you will be doing with said lasers?

EDIT: Also, this board is used for buying, selling and trading lasers with other LPF members. If you are asking for somebodys opinions on a laser, visit the specific board for the item. For this item, it would be the "Green laser discussion" board.

I have some #5 shade welding goggles, would these be proper?

As I said I'm interested in a lazer for both star pointing and burning/melting textiles.

So to narrow down my choices, where would I look for a 125mW-150mW Laser?

As for the experiments, certainly nothing dangerous, I know how powerful these lasers can be and I would never seek to cause harm to myself or others with such tools.

Well, as I had learned earlier, lower wavelengths burn better than higher wavelengths. The normal wavelengths, or relatively cheap ones are 405 ( purple ) 445 ( blue ) 532 ( green ) and 650-660 (red). So as far as starpointing, green would be great as it is the most visable of the cheap laser colors. However, for burning, a 405 ( purple ) would be better.
If you would like to buy a 405nm laser, o-like has a 400mw that, according to other users reviews is pretty great all around. However, a 405 isn't the best choice for star pointing as it's less visable to the human eye.

As far as the glasses, it's a common misconception but for lasers the welding glasses would not be sufficent for stopping laser beams from damaging your eyes. And if you aren't safe around here, the users will KILL you with complaints.

OR you could go with a 445 laser (blue) at a relatively high power (1w) for about $150 around here, made by users.

Here is a review of the laser you are looking at
http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/f...reen-laser-pointer-pen-lock-switch-62424.html

For the way of goggles, a you can get a decent pair of goggles for 20$
405nm,450nm,473nm,532nm laser safety goggles [OLGLG532] - $19.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

I would recommend looking at laser reviews on the forums to find the best laser suited to your needs

I really wouldn't recommend a 1W laser as a first laser. I'd go for the 200mW transformable from O-Like, it is a good laser with several positive reviews. Keep in mind that this is not an IR filtered laser, so I'd order one from Radiant Electronics and attach it to be safe.

200mW transformable green laser/adjustable [OLV6200] - $129.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

Yea I figured the welding goggles would only be good for protection from torch light.

Those are nice goggles, if I buy a laser I will be sure to include them.

130$ is pretty much exactly in my price range, but do I really need the IR filter? I have no plans to aim this laser at people/animals nor do I have plans to stare into the beam itself.


I like the o-like website, it looks very professional, unlike wicked lasers where they amount their products to toy lightsabers.

Well if you hit yourself in the eye with a non-IR filtered laser and your goggles don't block IR you can possibly receive eye damage from the IR. It's not really necessary but I prefer to err on the side of caution.

True true, safety is the #1 priority with any serious scientific tools.

I feel that since I am such a novice with lasers that I should be taking the advice from everyone in this thread. It would be nice if I could order my laser tonight.

If I purchase this: 200mW transformable green laser/adjustable [OLV6200] - $129.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

Do you think I would be generally happy with it? Like, is it a quality laser or should I be looking for something else? Quality in terms of "made well and not cheap junk that will break".

So far it's specs fit what I'm looking for though.

ZomBirdy said:

If I purchase this: 200mW transformable green laser/adjustable [OLV6200] - $129.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

Do you think I would be generally happy with it? Like, is it a quality laser or should I be looking for something else? Quality in terms of "made well and not cheap junk that will break".

So far it's specs fit what I'm looking for though.

Click to expand...

O-Like is a reliable seller, I've bought products from them on 3 separate occasions, and they sell quality products, I doubt you will have a problem with that laser.

I want to thank you guys for all the help you have given, I have ordered the green laser and protective goggles.

I may consider purchasing an IR filter at a later time.

I will be sure to check out the rest of the forums, there is alot of interesting stuff to read about here.

ZomBirdy said:

I want to thank you guys for all the help you have given, I have ordered the green laser and protective goggles.

I may consider purchasing an IR filter at a later time.

I will be sure to check out the rest of the forums, there is alot of interesting stuff to read about here.

Click to expand...

No problem Glad to help. Also, if you're looking for a good read, this forum is a compilation of a lot of interesting things to read. http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/index-work-progress-62480.html