Need help with a beginner laser :)

I am looking for a laser to buy with the top price of 35$ to burn paper, or matches with (blue laser of course, I believe that is best for burning)

I also want the strongest possible laser for that price.

I am unsure what strength I can get with that price, but I need opinions on lasers people had the best experience with.

I also would like to know the minimum strength of a laser that is required to burn paper or a match, if anyone knows.

Thank you :lasergun: :thanks: :beer:

35$ will not buy a really good quality laser. It may get you a few laser 301 but they are hit and miss on burning, power output and quality honestly.. I've had decent luck out of them though.

Unless someone here can chime in I would suggest a budget of around 80$ and you could build or buy a 1-2w 445nm laser that will burn almost anything you would want to.

Yeah, $35 isn't going to be quite enough. Most diodes alone cost more then $35.

-Alex

Hap said:

Yeah, $35 isn't going to be quite enough. Most diodes alone cost more then $35.

-Alex

Click to expand...

Plus a decent pair of safety glasses are ~$40.

diachi said:

Plus a decent pair of safety glasses are ~$40.

Click to expand...

Yes!

-Alex

Also when you say "paper", I instantly think white paper. So unless you mean brown paper, like a paper bag, a cheap laser won't burn it. Even all those cheap Eb@y lasers that have pics lighting matches, aren't your average match. They have to be a black match. So if you want a $35 laser that'll burn, it'll most likely be a 532nm (green) that'll burn stuff like black electrical tape. If you want a blue (445-450nm) that'll burn, it'll be closer to $100.
I just recently built and sold a 1.5w 445nm laser to my brother, that included battery, charger, and cheap glasses for $85. And that was a cheap as I could do for a family member, and still cover my costs!

Thank you everyone who replied and helped me out greatly! I have a few questions if that is ok.

what about
500MW 455nm Light Torch Shape Beam Blue Laser Pointer Black - Laserpointerpro.com or
500MW 532nm Beam Blue Laser Pointer Silver - Laserpointerpro.com

Are those any good, or just cheap lasers that won't do well or last long?


Is there any other lasers that are able to burn with the price of 30-50$? They don't have to be blue, just within that price range.


I already have the safety glasses Cost me quite a bit of money, lol.

Also when you say "paper", I instantly think white paper. So unless you mean brown paper, like a paper bag, a cheap laser won't burn it. Even all those cheap Eb@y lasers that have pics lighting matches, aren't your average match. They have to be a black match. So if you want a $35 laser that'll burn, it'll most likely be a 532nm (green) that'll burn stuff like black electrical tape. If you want a blue (445-450nm) that'll burn, it'll be closer to $100.
I just recently built and sold a 1.5w 445nm laser to my brother, that included battery, charger, and cheap glasses for $85. And that was a cheap as I could do for a family member, and still cover my costs!

Click to expand...

I learned that the hard way about the matches, lol. 8$ laser, didn't light anything but a special match I use for work.

^ Try it on black electrical tape. It should smoke it a little.
BTW, I think laserpointerpro is on our avoid list. That blue is overpriced, and the green is probably under spec.

No! Do not buy from LaserPointerPro! Their products are junk of the highest order.
Try this: it is sold from within the US, and has a glass lens that will not melt after prolonged use.
US Thor M II 2 Laser 445 450nm Powerful Military Blue Laser Pointer Torch Burn | eBay

Or for the price of that Thor + a few $$ I can send you a c6 with A140 (1.8w) and 3 element.. plus shipping

I have read decent things about those Thor even being a eBay Chinese laser they seem to be a nice beginner laser although I'm sure the quality is not consistent between users based off eBay reviews I read.

//edit:
I actually can also recommend O-like.com they have a 1w 445 for around 60$ right now it burns well my little brother bought one just 2 weeks ago and he let me try it. Not sure what lens but I did see on their website it was on sale for 60$. It was not bad but the diode was pressed into a large copper module and then entirely surrounded with thermal paste. The driver had a thin aluminum heatsink and was also thermal pasted. It runs off a single 18650 and handled the heat decently. It was perfect for my brother starting out; but I must warn you need a decent pair of goggles for this laser it's not a 5$ ebay pointer this one WILL PUT YOUR EYE OUT!

Only problem is you'll have to try and contact them via email to order, and make sure you pay their invoice and not send as a friend so you have buyer protection.

http://www.o-like.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=417

I don't think you can get a burning laser with 35$! A laser can burn paper,its power at least 500mw!You konw, the average price of 500mw lasers is almost $100!

Ah thank you for the heads up! I never purchased any laser pointers from them, only amazon, and newegg for about 5$ they both claimed they burn paper, and matches.

I assumed this was laserpointerpro's website due to them sending users here from their link. :wtf: That is what threw me off so much, lol.

I have to wait until my college payments are paid off before I can drop anything over $100 on a laser, my budget is very strict right now. But I really appreciate the wonderful advice from everyone. Can someone suggest a 30$ decent laser from a good website?

RyanLaser said:

. Can someone suggest a 30$ decent laser from a good website?

Click to expand...

See posts #2 and #3 above.

Guess that answers everything Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me out. I have one final question, though.

What are some good websites to order lasers? Amazon? Ebay? I don't know where to get good lasers from. someone said Laserpointerpro.com was a bad website, so I won't try to buy any there. (I know some were listed but I wanted to know the favorite of experienced laser guys here

RyanLaser said:

Guess that answers everything Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me out. I have one final question, though.

What are some good websites to order lasers? Amazon? Ebay? I don't know where to get good lasers from. someone said Laserpointerpro.com was a bad website, so I won't try to buy any there.

Click to expand...

Here's my guide!
It lists basically all of the major laser companies, good and bad.

I have a burning laser , but it is 10000mw and the price is far more expensive than you expect since its good performance.