I need of a higher power green hand held laser.

Hi Everyone. I am in need of some help selecting a green laser for Astronomy purposes. I live in light poluted skies and will need something stronger than the standard 5mw pointer.

Now Ive been lookinf around and there are a lot of these identical looking black pen like pointer... some of them are $12 for a 50mw, and on other sites they are $60 for just a 30mw laser.

What gives? These lasers look identical. Is there really any difference between this cheap $12 50mw laser Buy 50mw 532nm 500m Pen Shaped Green Laser Pointer Pen (Black) in US$ 12.49 in Low Price- Free Shipping from lazerpoint.com and this more expensive $60 30mw laser from Optotronics? Optotronics Product Details

Can anyone sort this out for me? All I want is a reliable high power laser pointer that will cut through this NJ light pollution to allow me to point out items of interest and constelations to my cub scouts. Will I have a hard time getting a laser stronger than 5mw in my hand here in the US?

Any help of advice would be great guys!

Thanks!

---Joe

I live in NJ also and I know how bad the light pollution can be for astronomy, especially around NYC. I would recommend either a 50 or 100mw greenie from lazerer. You can get a small 100mw green pen for about $40 and a larger stick host green laser for about $55. 50mw would be enough for astronomy and it would be cheaper still

That Optronics pointer is going to be better quality than the Laserpoint one.

I think something like THIS might be good for your purposes

here's a couple examples of good pen lasers I've come across or built my self.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/review-1xaaa-532nm-laser-pen-81863.html#post1176776

http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/custom-focusable-532nm-pen-laser-81780.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/my-c6-532nm-laser-80078.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/custom-532nm-build-80967.html

if interested I might consider selling one!

I recommend a 100mW+, also. I've have several greens, even a 400mW, but my 100mW works very well for star pointing.

Where does lazerer ship from and how long does it take to the US typically? Do their lasers have ir filters on them?

You could always build your own. It is super easy, here is a video that was made by a forum member DIY: How to Modify a Green Laser Pointer into a Burning Laser - YouTube You should get a 50mW module from here $10.01 50mW 532nm Green Laser Module - 3V, 11.9mm at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping They are normally over spec, they can be up to 100mW at times. They are usually around 80mW though, but still a lot cheaper than a 200mW dx module that are normally around 110mW

EDIT: Don't forget to use the discount code "TENOFF" when you check out :beer:

So that conversion can be done with a cheapo $7 laser pen from amazon? Do you guys worry about the IR at all?

92hatchattack said:

So that conversion can be done with a cheapo $7 laser pen from amazon? Do you guys worry about the IR at all?

Click to expand...

Not when it comes to the topic of star-gazing. As long as you're not pointing it at people (or pilots!) then IR isn't an issue.

If you are going to be doing burning experiments, or playing with mirrors, then it could become a concern.

These modules don't put out much IR, but more than enough to meet FDA guidelines and to damage eyes with jack-assery.

If your budget allows, by all means, spend the extra money for an IR filtered module. If not, just be smart about it.

Yeah you can do that with one from amazon, as long as it has the head the module can screw into. I don't normally worry about IR because i don't use my green lasers that are over 5mW up close, i use them for pointing long distance at night. If you are going to use it up close, make sure you get some goggles that block IR and 532nm. Green isnt the best for burning though, you can get 445nm far cheaper in the higher powers.

EDIT: Scum, you beat me to it

take my word that it's not as easy as in the video. the design of the lasers have changed and are no longer that simple to take apart!

You could just get a empty pen host from ebay DIY Test Laser Penstlye Hosts FOR 12x60mm Laser Module | eBay Then you will have to get a spring elsewhere.