Boring newbie help topic

Lasers can be awesome!

I, however, have a boring need as a newbie here. I am looking for a line laser that has certain capabilities and I hope that this knowledgeable community can help.

My needs:

1) class II, green laser, 532nm,
2) between 1 to 5mW (the boring part),
3) can project a line and dotted line (lens filter?),
4) can run for hours continuously,
5) projected line needs to be 10-12ft in length,
6) the laser needs to be about 2-7ft away from center of line,
7) affordable

I am willing and even interested in possibly using component parts to learn and save money, but not necessary.

Use is for similar to a horizontal line laser used in leveling for construction projects (boring again), but I don't need the leveling function. And it will be pointed at an angle towards the ground. I also intend for it to be used outside and still considered safe. I really have to experiment with 1mW vs 5mW when used in different lighting conditions, but there it is.

I found something kinda/sorta similar here, but too much $ for my needs -
https://www.laserglow.com/BLG#

Thanks.

5mw green line laser | eBay

It has to be 5mw or would 50mw be ok?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/532nm-50mW-...742987?hash=item2c89fedf8b:g:f00AAOSwLVZV3SvG

RedCowboy said:

5mw green line laser | eBay

It has to be 5mw or would 50mw be ok?
532nm 50mW Green Laser Line Module for Cutting Machine w 3VDC Adapter Glass Lens | eBay

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I think 5mW would keep that in Class II (correct?) and I don't want unnecessary exposure to the public (who may be nearby). My understanding is the more power it has, the better its chance of being visible in challenging lighting situations, but safety trumps function in my case.

Regarding power...what power level, with prolonged, continuous exposure begin to damage organic material, like plants or grass? Would 5mW create damage or would it not be a problem when projecting a line? I'm really in the experiment phase and need to do some testing with possible options.

Class II would be restricted to <1mW. Thing is, finding a 532nm laser with that specification isn't going to be easy.

The only place I know that sells them is Laserglow

-Alex

5mW will not hurt organics. Especially if there is a line lens on the laser.
What is your budget?

Laser Chick said:

What is your budget?

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I am trying to develop an idea and I'm afraid there's testing to do in order to find out what works in real conditions. So, I don't want to go overboard testing for a prototype, but the final solution needs to be as affordable as possible.

Is a 1mW green laser, meeting my criteria stated in the original post possible to build or too difficult or too expensive?

You stated different lighting conditions and safety over function.
A 1mW or even 5mW green laser is not bright at all during daylight when you flare the beam out to be a 10 to 12 foot line. It should be visible enough in the dark though.

You're most right. I had done a lot of online researching, which led me here. In that search, it seems that there are many others who also want laser output visibility in lighted conditions, but I was hoping that my limited range of a 10-12ft line (or dotted line) may be less inclined to lose total visibility, especially with a green laser.

I also thought there may some conditions outside where it is more visible than others. I am trying to find where the trade-off of power vs. visibility is in different conditions. To see if there are any conditions that make sense for my desired result.

Maybe I'm going about it wrong. Maybe I should not try to compete with the energy of the sun (or other lights) and find a way to work with that energy. I don't know yet, but I will still try to test a few green laser prototypes.

sbmmm said:

You're most right. I had done a lot of online researching, which led me here. In that search, it seems that there are many others who also want laser output visibility in lighted conditions, but I was hoping that my limited range of a 10-12ft line (or dotted line) may be less inclined to lose total visibility, especially with a green laser.

I also thought there may some conditions outside where it is more visible than others. I am trying to find where the trade-off of power vs. visibility is in different conditions. To see if there are any conditions that make sense for my desired result.

Maybe I'm going about it wrong. Maybe I should not try to compete with the energy of the sun (or other lights) and find a way to work with that energy. I don't know yet, but I will still try to test a few green laser prototypes.

Click to expand...

Deleted my post. Let me start again.

Realized you need to use this outside - 5mW won't be enough in direct sunlight, unless you wear glasses that only allow you to see green... If you had some shade and a white surface to project the beam onto, that might work. The other option is to use more power.

I have several different green lasers such as the Krypton, Evo, Nano and so on that all have a line lens.
They have output ranges from 5mW to 1100mW so let me know and I can hook you up. I could even test them out here to make sure you get the desired performance that you need.
Do realize that flaring the beam into a line makes any point on the terminating line on the ground much less than the total output of the laser. The only danger would be if someone looked into the beam close to the laser or something reflective was put in that area right next to the laser.
#4 in your OP could pose an issue as these are hand held battery powered lasers and the batteries run from on average 30 to 180 minutes and then need to be recharged/changed for fresh ones.

Laser Chick said:

I have several different green lasers such as the Krypton, Evo, Nano and so on that all have a line lens.
They have output ranges from 5mW to 1100mW so let me know and I can hook you up. I could even test them out here to make sure you get the desired performance that you need.
Do realize that flaring the beam into a line makes any point on the terminating line on the ground much less than the total output of the laser. The only danger would be if someone looked into the beam close to the laser or something reflective was put in that area right next to the laser.
#4 in your OP could pose an issue as these are hand held battery powered lasers and the batteries run from on average 30 to 180 minutes and then need to be recharged/changed for fresh ones.

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Something like this would be better for OP:

https://www.apinex.com/ret2/agll25an.html

That way it can be hooked up to a wall wart or something similar and run all day, or on demand.

@Laser Chick (or anyone),

I noticed in your signature, there are different colors and associated wavelengths. Just for my own edification, am I seeing, granted on a laptop screen, that 520nm emits a more fluorescent green color, whereas, 532nm looks to be more forest green (a bit darker)?

I ask because, I have seen another product, although much too expensive for my needs, that is a Class 2 green laser operating at 515-520nm. It also does more than what I want to accomplish, but it does seem that a ~1mW green laser does exist. To see the product sheet, it is identified as the L2G+ and its specs can be seen on pages 12/13 of the pdf (confirming what I just wrote) -

http://lasers.leica-geosystems.com/...ocuments/leica_lino_man_1009_757665b_en_4.pdf

Can I obtain the basic components to build/replicate a green laser with this output power (~1mW) and wavelength (515-520nm) for prototype testing? Even if all my initial criteria are not met, I would like to pursue how visible such an output may be under different lighting conditions. Then, I could see to what extent it is or isn't viable for continued effort.

Thanks.

sbmmm said:

@Laser Chick (or anyone),

I noticed in your signature, there are different colors and associated wavelengths. Just for my own edification, am I seeing, granted on a laptop screen, that 520nm emits a more fluorescent green color, whereas, 532nm looks to be more forest green (a bit darker)?

I ask because, I have seen another product, although much too expensive for my needs, that is a Class 2 green laser operating at 515-520nm. It also does more than what I want to accomplish, but it does seem that a ~1mW green laser does exist. To see the product sheet, it is identified as the L2G+ and its specs can be seen on pages 12/13 of the pdf (confirming what I just wrote) -

http://lasers.leica-geosystems.com/...ocuments/leica_lino_man_1009_757665b_en_4.pdf

Can I obtain the basic components to build/replicate a green laser with this output power (~1mW) and wavelength (515-520nm) for prototype testing? Even if all my initial criteria are not met, I would like to pursue how visible such an output may be under different lighting conditions. Then, I could see to what extent it is or isn't viable for continued effort.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

520nm is almost a blueish green, probably more forest green than 532nm which is a kind of lime green. 532nm should actually be a little brighter than 520nm for any given power, although not really noticeably.

1mW green line lasers definitely do exist - and if you buy a unit like that you'll be guaranteed to get 1mW. The problem comes when you buy cheap units from China, often times they are way above spec.

<5mW won't be enough in direct sunlight, but should be enough if you have some shade and a white surface to project onto.

diachi said:

Something like this would be better for OP:

https://www.apinex.com/ret2/agll25an.html

That way it can be hooked up to a wall wart or something similar and run all day, or on demand.

Click to expand...

Wow, great! That looks promising.

Both you and Laser Chick have been very helpful. However, and it may just be graphic differences in color choices, but your signature seems to associate a darker green to the 515nm wavelength vs 532nm. Which wavelength would produce the brightest fluorescent green output? I thought I read somewhere that the most visible wavelength to the naked eye is around 550nm. Would that be correct? And how are such nm differences perceived in terms of color?

diachi said:

520nm is almost a blueish green, probably more forest green than 532nm which is a kind of lime green. 532nm should actually be a little brighter than 520nm for any given power, although not really noticeably.

1mW green line lasers definitely do exist - and if you buy a unit like that you'll be guaranteed to get 1mW. The problem comes when you buy cheap units from China, often times they are way above spec.

<5mW won't be enough in direct sunlight, but should be enough if you have some shade and a white surface to project onto.

Click to expand...

Thanks, your previous post just beat me to my last question. I suppose 532nm would be what I'm looking for.

Although 5mW, I was also looking at this -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-stabl...e-/331171209686?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

Perhaps this supplier also has 1mW with a similar set-up? How can I test what the mW output actually is?

It does not bother me at all personally but you might get reprimanded by other members that it is a no-no to double or triple post. Simply click on the edit button to add or change anything to your current post if there are no replies from other members after it.

Howdy,
Please refrain from double or triple posting. Please use the edit button and edit your previous post. Please also update your profile with your location. It helps us determine what is best for your region.

515nm or 520nm is not as bright as 532nm. However 515/520nm is more durable. If you drop a 532nm it will break 99% of the time. It is the design (uses crystals). 515nm on the other hand is a diode. I have dropped mine several times and I have been lucky enough to not have any issues. The brightness difference is not much. I would go with 520nm. It is more of a "Green Green" with a blueish hue (the blue is very hard to notice). The best way I can explain the color difference is traffic lights. The old style bulb traffic lights are 515nm. The new LED lights are 532nm. (roughly) They are both green, side by side you can tell a difference. Individually not so much. If you attach a line lens it becomes a bit safer as the beam is spread out. I would recommend 15-20mw and just ensure there are no reflective surfaces or any way for someone to walk or get into the beam. The 5mw I assure you will be useless in daylight. I know this because I built a 5mw pointer at 515nm and it is extremely difficult to see a DOT much less a line.