High power needed - why?

clansley · Jan 9, 2015

I keep seeing posts where people (even experienced members) want even higher powered lasers - I'm missing something as I can't understand why?

I can understand wanting a high enough power for the beam to be brightly visible (in the dark) without fog but that doesn't seems to need anything higher than 500mW except for 405nm. I have a 1W 445nm but I would be happy with less, I have a 50mW 520nm and I have no desire (yet) to have more power.

I can understand those who like burning/engraving/cutting wanting the highest power they can get their hands on but what other reasons exist? Eg: Why would you want a 2W 532nm? Would that have a visible beam during the day?

Phased Array · Jan 9, 2015

clansley said:
I keep seeing posts where people (even experienced members) want even higher powered lasers - I'm missing something as I can't understand why?

I can understand wanting a high enough power for the beam to be brightly visible (in the dark) without fog but that doesn't seems to need anything higher than 500mW except for 405nm. I have a 1W 445nm but I would be happy with less, I have a 50mW 520nm and I have no desire (yet) to have more power.

I can understand those who like burning/engraving/cutting wanting the highest power they can get their hands on but what other reasons exist? Eg: Why would you want a 2W 532nm? Would that have a visible beam during the day?

Don't need a reason.
Here in the United States it's known as 'Freedom', a God given, Constitutional right, all we've ever known since we've kicked the British out. MiniCooper/Suburban, .177/50BMG, .5mw/5W, apartment/McMansion, freedom of choice, and not even given a 2nd thought about here.

However, I like my Optotronics adjustable 'output power' tailcap and wish it were an available accessory option for all my lasers. Most of time set on low(because that's bright enough).

clansley · Jan 9, 2015

Hi Phased Array!

Adjustable power sounds cool - I'll add that to my wish list

"No reason" and "Americans like it bigger than the British" are both fine reasons - I was just wondering if I was missing out on something

It's also interesting to hear what makes others tick.

[I've always worked for big American companies - and many of my team are Americans. So I'm am aware of some of our differences ;-) ]

USAbro · Jan 9, 2015

It's just cool to have more power. You can impress people more. I guess it could come down to pride. But I'd say it's just for fun.

Phased Array · Jan 9, 2015

clansley said:
Hi Phased Array!

Adjustable power sounds cool - I'll add that to my wish list

"No reason" and "Americans like it bigger than the British" are both fine reasons - I was just wondering if I was missing out on something It's also interesting to hear what makes others tick.

[I've always worked for big American companies - and many of my team are Americans. So I'm am aware of some of our differences ;-) ]

Hi clansey,
Just saw the UK flag, I didn't mean anything personal about that 1770's incident.

Unfortunately legislation in the US usually gets the better of our freedoms. But initially things here start out and grow unfettered at a fast rate.

And that adjustable power tailcap would have to be tailor made for the emitter, in as each starts lasing at a different current level.

clansley · Jan 9, 2015

Phased Array said:
Hi clansey,
Just saw the UK flag, I didn't mean anything personal about that 1770's incident.

I was a little worried!

I should also correct myself - my boss would say "I'm not American, I'm a Texan!"

trencheel303 · Jan 9, 2015

The best way to answer question like this, in my mind, is to simply counter with "why not".

Although, I must admit having a lot of power can sometimes hinder, rather than help when taking photos of a mixed setup.

Marco Polo · Jan 9, 2015

It's cool to see things burn. Sadly, the 808nm isn't visually impressive so it doesn't get much use. I'm going to try to put together a 405nm. The BDR-209 at 500mA should give me 800mW or so and hopefully the diode will last a decent amount of time.

NightExplorer96 · Jan 9, 2015

USAbro said:
It's just cool to have more power. You can impress people more.

I would say that depends on the person. Here is an example:

if you showed these 2 lasers to a random person, which do you think will impress them more?(depending on the person they are).

1W 405nm
4mW 593.5nm

-Alex

Blarg King · Jan 10, 2015

I like my 300 mW 532 because the dot is like looking into the sun. Also its got really tight divergence so couple that with the power and visibility of 532 and I can mess with people several Km away.

I like the 1 Watt+ 445's because they're a cost effective way of getting a laser that can burn. I think it taps into a childhood fantasy of watching spy movies where they had the tiny pen lasers that could burn stuff. When I was a child that technology didn't exist but now for 100$ I can own one.

Plus theres just a neat novelty of burning things with light. It seems like a lot of people don't understand how powerful light can be, so its fun to amaze them.

USAbro · Jan 10, 2015

Tha Greenlander said:
I would say that depends on the person. Here is an example:

if you showed these 2 lasers to a random person, which do you think will impress them more?(depending on the person they are).

1W 405nm
4mW 593.5nm

-Alex

I would personally be more impressed by the 1 watt.

olympus mons · Jan 10, 2015

I probably fall into the power hungry category in some ways. For me its just as you stated. Brightest visible beam period. I have a 2W 445 and must say without fog its pretty ho hum. With fog its insanely awesome. I'm not into burning. Actually, just last night I realized I haven't yet burned anything at all with my 2W blue.

I recently bought a 1W 520 diode and driver for a build I am doing soon. I wanted a bright green beam but as I get more experience with these different lasers I'm really starting to appreciate single mode diodes. For example, I wasn't all that impressed with my 250mW 650nm until the foggy night this week. Then I saw this awesome laser for all she's worth. That beam is as nice as my 400mW 532. Just needs a little coaxing with some water vapor to see it.

Id say if I had an obsession its with 532's. Hands down my favorite laser beam. I WILL own the 800mW jetlaser 532 by summer.

Phased Array · Jan 10, 2015

Why to pop a balloon at 500 meters of course. :thinking:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/l...maintaining-balloon-pop-500-meters-92425.html

The Lightning Stalker · Jan 12, 2015

I currently have a need (want?) to burn part
numbers off of ICs. That requires a little
power.

Otherwise, though, enough power to give a
visible beam in decent lighting conditions
is enough. Any more is just too much of a
pain to deal with.

LtKernelPanic · Jan 12, 2015

It's the equivalent of someone wanting a faster or fancier car/motorcycle.

Gbb · Jan 12, 2015

my 200mW 532 is just about visibile outside during day id imageine how a 2w would be golly gee

High power needed - why?

clansley

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clansley

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USAbro

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Phased Array

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clansley

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trencheel303

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Marco Polo

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NightExplorer96

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Blarg King

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USAbro

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