Ok, at the risk of getting quoted and made fun of for an indefinate period of time, here goes.
I feel I just don't have the fundamental knowledge of laser pointers and there companies to make a well educated decision and subsequent confident purchase. I dont approve of a person entering a new hobby asking the "how do I build a house question" but sometimes you get the best results being crude, so to speak.
That being said, I dont want to end up with some non filtered weak 125+ mW pointer that doesn't even sting my own black ass and I hear I could have bought a unit twice as good for half the price the next day on the forums. So...
Im looking to burn at the longest range possible (popping balloons at long range is cool also)
Beam divergence is not too critical to me since I will be observing/operating at relatively close distances (less than 1/2 mi) .
The most important quality is overall beam visibility (day or night). I don't know exactly how power output relates to beam brightness or heat intensity, which is why I need an expert opinion. For example, If it is said that lasers A,B and C all have IR (and any other filter needed for the unit to emit just it's specified wavelength of light) filters and emit green beams Is it reasonable to assume that the intensity of the beam will be determined by the power output rating?
Do all companies divulge whether or not their units are filtered? If not how does one find out?
I realize the quality of the components play a large role in the price, this is a particularly difficult decipherment for the first time buyer, expressly where to draw the line. Im not at all interested in buying a "knock of" that kicks ass performance wise, at the cost of operating lifetime.
I'm willing to spend between $400 and $600. I would think this approaches the realm of decency depending on your outlook.
I fly and maintain a fleet of 7 RC helicopters ranging from nitro to turbine powered......The most maintenance/work I want to perform with lasers is pressing the on button!
So I humbly ask, given this price range, what some top contenders may be.
Thank you all for listening to my paranoia induced monologue. Pete
I feel I just don't have the fundamental knowledge of laser pointers and there companies to make a well educated decision and subsequent confident purchase. I dont approve of a person entering a new hobby asking the "how do I build a house question" but sometimes you get the best results being crude, so to speak.
That being said, I dont want to end up with some non filtered weak 125+ mW pointer that doesn't even sting my own black ass and I hear I could have bought a unit twice as good for half the price the next day on the forums. So...
Im looking to burn at the longest range possible (popping balloons at long range is cool also)
Beam divergence is not too critical to me since I will be observing/operating at relatively close distances (less than 1/2 mi) .
The most important quality is overall beam visibility (day or night). I don't know exactly how power output relates to beam brightness or heat intensity, which is why I need an expert opinion. For example, If it is said that lasers A,B and C all have IR (and any other filter needed for the unit to emit just it's specified wavelength of light) filters and emit green beams Is it reasonable to assume that the intensity of the beam will be determined by the power output rating?
Do all companies divulge whether or not their units are filtered? If not how does one find out?
I realize the quality of the components play a large role in the price, this is a particularly difficult decipherment for the first time buyer, expressly where to draw the line. Im not at all interested in buying a "knock of" that kicks ass performance wise, at the cost of operating lifetime.
I'm willing to spend between $400 and $600. I would think this approaches the realm of decency depending on your outlook.
I fly and maintain a fleet of 7 RC helicopters ranging from nitro to turbine powered......The most maintenance/work I want to perform with lasers is pressing the on button!
So I humbly ask, given this price range, what some top contenders may be.
Thank you all for listening to my paranoia induced monologue. Pete
) will be your ideal choices
