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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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First off I would like to say I have no prior knowledge in the laser "field". I was looking to buy the 125mw Viper and then I was looking around on this forum and I heard about the other stores such as deal extreme and I seen that their prices were only about 1/20th of DL. My question is: Why is DL so much more expensive? Also this would be my first real laser purchase. I am looking for something I wont really need to replace as I plan on this purchase being my ONLY laser purchase. Basically something of good quality, visibility, power, lifetime without breaking the bank. (300+) Also I am looking for the best bang for the buck and I was wondering if DL was the way to go. Cheers | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: May 2009 Location: Panama City, Florida
Posts: 1,838
Rep Power: 182 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DragonLasers, Optotronics, LaserGlow and the likes have much high quality control standards when it comes to reselling lasers. You pay more, but are garranteed a laser that puts out what is advertised.
__________________ I see................wait, what now? (3x) 405nm (6x) 445nm (4x) 532nm (1x) 543nm (1x) 632.8nm (1x) 635nm (3x) 660nm SSY-1 Laser | |||
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Class 2M Laser |
Because it's actually within the spec posted. And Dragon Lasers resell CNI lasers which is a reputable manufacturer with real quality control and testing etc. The beam is also more likely to be more stable and in one particular mode. They do have a good reputation here, that's true. Many products are just slapped together over in China in "cottage industry" with a bunch of parts that "should" work. A 125mW from Deal Extreme might just be 50mW, or maybe putting out 75mW of IR that's adding to the total when held up to a laser meter. The beam might be multi-mode or mode-hopping, changing it's shape and output from second to second. IMO, a pen is a bad choice in terms of heat dissipation and battery life when you get over 100mW anyway. So if it does work well, that also adds to the cost. A good compromise company for you between Dragon and DX might be O-Like, their products are close to what is promised, the prices are better, and they have a good reputation with most of us here. 200mW transformable green laser/adjustable [OLV6200] - $165.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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Is there one that is better than the other? In your opinion? Any suggestions for what I am looking for? As In not needing to be replaced? I Dont know a lot about terminology either, Ie. Modes Etc. So what you are saying is the 125mw is not a good choice because it is a pen? Last edited by Toaster; 08-04-2010 at 08:20 PM. | |||
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Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Minnesota
Posts: 504
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If you want a good quality pen style greenie, check out the X series from Nova Lasers, a branch of LaserGlow. It's the same model as the Viper from Dragonlasers, as they both get their products from CNI. Nova is located in Canada, which may be a good thing for you, depending on where you live. Edit:125mW in a pen is, imo, fine. You would need to have a duty cycle, (I.E. 60 seconds on, 30 seconds off) to prevent the laser from overheating, but it's definitely not too much power for a pen. They also have a 200 something mW pen on their site, expensive, but shows that it can be done reliably.
__________________ X-100 102mW average, according to spec sheet. Failed PHR-803T build ![]() NovaShields Pro-OD:190-449 nm 5+, 450-532 nm 6+ Hoping to build a 6x at ~185mA in my old pocket pal host. Last edited by LRMNmeyer; 08-04-2010 at 08:27 PM. | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 1,257
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Places like dragonlasrs, cni or optotronics sell top of the line high quality lasers. The lasers they sell are always up to, or above spec. The stuff you get from DX is of much lower quality and is almost always way under spec. If you want to buy a cheap laser get one from rayfoss or O-Like. They sell lasers that are similar in quality to DX, but are at least up to spec.
__________________ Read The Forum Rules Follow The Forum Rules Be Kind To Your Fellow LPF Brothers ----------------------------------------------------- Builds, Hosts and Optics from Flaminpyro, Ehgemus, RA_pierce, jayrob, LarryDFW and Me ![]() | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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i live in the US, so am I going to have issues getting one? I heard something about being over 5mw but didn't really get what it meant
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Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Minnesota
Posts: 504
Rep Power: 16 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It is illegal to import lasers into the US with an output of over 5mW, unless it has safety features to comply with the FDA. That being said, there's a very small chance that a laser would be seized at customs, and I believe Nova, Dragon Lasers, and most other respectable company would just send you another one if it did get confiscated. If you do want one that complies with the FDA, an Alpha from Nova lasers, or an Aries from LaserGlow would be a good choice.
__________________ X-100 102mW average, according to spec sheet. Failed PHR-803T build ![]() NovaShields Pro-OD:190-449 nm 5+, 450-532 nm 6+ Hoping to build a 6x at ~185mA in my old pocket pal host. | |||
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Class 3B Laser |
I sort of skimmed the other posts.... did not feel like reading them "all" but the difference between the both is DL has "Very" high quality lasers. Places like DX and such have low quality lasers...some people were even shipped broken units "several" times. The customer support sucks for Dx too, so lets say they ship you a faulty laser.....its pretty difficult to get another one "if you can get in touch with them". DL on the other hand has "VERY" good customer support. They will tell you almost anything you need to know and even offer advice. If your looking for a good quality laser <300$ some of the other members mentioned a few places you can shop. It will also help to know what kind of color you want, what type of host (example: pen, flashlight, handheld, labby ect.) It also helps to know what you plan to do with it. Now on to the issue of customs. I along with "many many many" other members have gotten lasers through customs without issue. There are a few cases where customs have seized goods but its pretty uncommon. Your laser should come through. If you are really worried about customs you can request your battery and tailcap to be shipped seperate. This will almost gaurrentee it will slip by. (all though thats kind of unnecessary) Any how, i wish you good luck finding your perfect laser and hope you enjoy your stay here! Thanks, Jeff
__________________ Want to be a part of the member map? Pm me! Personal lasers 532nm 130mW Spartan 532nm 160mW Wicked lasers EVO 532nm 130mW Wicked Lasers Executive Pro: Nexus 520nm 1.4W Ehgemus custom 660nm >78mW Newwish 635nm 500mW 501B 445nm >1W 1st Gen Kryton Groove 445nm >2.7W DeadEYmo Custom 473nm 25mW re-tuned B&W Tek Labby Wicked Lasers Torch Radiant x4 LPM | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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I would like to get a green pen laser. Mostly for pointing at thing indoors and outdoors at night. At night I would like to be able to see the line pretty clearly. How come the Alpha and Aries are so much easier to get? | |||
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Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Minnesota
Posts: 504
Rep Power: 16 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | They're not really easier to get, but they're both legal to import, because they have the 5 safety features the FDA requires for class IIIB lasers and above. Thus, there's next to no chance of it getting seized at customs.
__________________ X-100 102mW average, according to spec sheet. Failed PHR-803T build ![]() NovaShields Pro-OD:190-449 nm 5+, 450-532 nm 6+ Hoping to build a 6x at ~185mA in my old pocket pal host. | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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Can someone point me towards a laser that is close to what I want? I am not sure what/ where to look
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Class 4 Laser Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,728
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I recommend either o-like or budgetgadgets.com for a good blend of low cost and good quality. Neither are much more expensive than dealextreme, but in my experience they're better. Here's a link to a 100mW 532nm (green) unit from o-like: 100mW Ultrafire host portable green laser /outdoor hunting [OLUGL100] - $72.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
__________________ Laser Resources (for n00bs and veterans alike!) Sam's Laser FAQ (The Laser Bible) http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserfaq.htm RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology http://www.rp-photonics.com/encyclopedia.html ULTIMATE DIY PROJECTOR REFERENCE http://nqlasers.com/scannerreference...itle=Main_Page SUCCESS is the best revenge. Last edited by ElektroFreak; 08-04-2010 at 09:29 PM. | ||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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Ok here is another question. Why is this aries from laser glow so much more than the pen laser from dragon laser? Aries-125 Sustained: 125-149mW $439 Viper-125 Output: 15mW-200mW US$279.99 | |||
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,249
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Class 3R Laser Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 2,027
Rep Power: 3388 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Quote:
The Viper-125 is a 'pen' host, runs on two AA's, shorter lifetime, shorter duty cycle, less heatsinking.
__________________ 3392nm:REO LHIP HeNe 2mW ∙ 980nm:OLIKE 155mW 808nm:OLIKE 200mW ∙ JETL PLC 600mW(682pk) 780nm:OLIKE 120mW 685nm:18650 47mW 671nm:PGL3M 281mW DPSS ∙ PGL3C 278mW 655nm:LOC 254mW ∙ OLIKE 221mW ∙ Yob 320mW 638nm:Sanyo 40mW ∙ HL63133 200mW ∙ PGL3C 463mWpk ∙ ML520 700mW 633nm:JDS1145 HeNe 28mW ∙ JDS1145 HeNe 26mW 612nm:MG 05LOR151 HeNe 3mW ∙ REO LSTP 3mW 609nm:REO LHOR 1mW 604nm:REO LSTP 2mW 594nm:Rigel 3mW ∙ LG PGL3C 15mWpk ∙ Lasos 7512 3mW ∙ CNI MGL3 58mWpk 589nm:CNI PGL3C 106mW ∙ CNI PGL3C 85mW 561nm:CNI PGL3C 30mW(41pk) 556nm:CNI PGL3C 20mW(22pk) 544nm:JDS1675P HeNe 2mW ∙ REO LHGR 2mW ∙ Lasos 7786 2mW 532nm:PGL3C 150mW(180pk) ∙ PGL3C 578mWpk ∙ PLC 440mWpk 515nm:JDS 221420GL ArI 30mW 510nm:52mW DG#2 ∙ 50mW 26650 DG 488nm:Nlx DPSS 7mW ∙ JDS 2214 ArI 40mW ∙ JDS FCD488 DPSS 25mW ML:MG 65A106025 ArI ML 115mW 476/480nm:Nichia Diode 28mW 473nm:PGL3A 45mW(80pk) ∙ PGL3C 110mWpk ∙ PGL3C 95mWpk ∙ RPLB-25 60mWpk 465nm:DTR NDB7676 2.03w 458nm:JDS 2214VL ArI 8mW ∙ JDS 2214VL ArI 12mW ∙ RHD Diode 1.7W 452nm:Osram SM 47mW 445nm:Yob 1410mW ∙ Polaris 156mW ∙ PGL3C 1200mW ∙ DTR-EHG 32650 2136mW 405nm:Yob 630mW ∙ Qfox 750mW ∙ JETL PLC 780mW | |||
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