Anyone have any experience with Meade? I know they are reputable for other equipment but they have a green laser that is listed at <5mw. I know most green are under spec. Just wondering if anyone can vouch for their laser pointer?
I assume you mean this one: Meade Green Laser Pointer #608002 - General Accessories - Accessories - Products
I don't have one but I don't think I would pay that much for an <5mW pointer of that type, they are likely made for them by some Chinese company, they probably pay extra to have them tested and only get the ones that are under 5mW. You could buy 4 of the same type of pointer for the same price and take your chances on what you get, although the cheap ones are more likely to be overspec. The Meade laser also has a one year warranty, that's a plus because this type of green laser can break easy.
First off to start It was solid brass verry heavy thick host 4.5 mW (mine was never metered just came with paperwork)
But the switch broke after a few months After using the warranty to get another one same thing happened switch shorted ON.
I ripped it apart and found it was IR filtered and Had Optical feedback.
Meade telescopes used to be excellent quality..... then they started using plastic gears in their alt-azi muth and their equatorial mounts, then their quality started going down hill.
Meade sells lasers as an accessory, like buying a rifle with a throw in optic. Its going to work, but only adequately. If you want the best performance out of something, I would recommend buying a product from a company that specializes in making that product, as opposed to an accessory.
My real concern is that the source of meade lasers are of unknown origin. They most likely would buy from mediocre sources to keep the costs down, in order to make a profit out of it while not spiking the cost up too high.