Laser Contest #1 - Best Laser under $100

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

I like the thought of a clean submission thread although Gun will be consolidating everything in the OP anyway. Any one who wants to delete some posts feel free to do so :beer: Diversity makes it interesting :gj: to everybody.

It is a sweet build Jayrob. I usually don't like the Maglite hosts but that head just makes it work.

~ LB

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Jay, the "spirit" of the competition was to let members show off the pieces they already have, or are currently building, that they paid less than $100 for in total (I'm not counting batteries).

Like I said, if you want that to be your submission, then by all means, do submit it. If you win, it's just that much more promotion of your fine products.

Yes, in all fairness, a builder, by the very nature of the hobby, would stand a better chance at winning, if quality and machining were all that was being considered.

I know when I am voting, I'll be looking for the guys who got great deals, or hacked something together, or chose a good diode/host combo...the guys who are passionate about their daily drivers that they pulled off cheaply. I won't be giving my vote to guys like Jay or Sinner who can slam out some serious machined madness at little cost to themselves...go on 'em for it! It's just not where my vote will go.

So...can we get on to the submissions now?

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

I thought the original idea when all this came up was to put out one thread to announce the submissions, bicker, whine, argue, etc...and then when the submissions are tallied up, they will be listed in a new, official competition poll thread..

Did I go wrong somewhere?

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

scumbagatheist said:

So...can we get on to the submissions now?

Click to expand...

Maybe if we all stop posting for every single other post we could keep this thread a bit shorter...
I won't post anymore untill I have my submission ready....

Everyone else should do the same ( Just a suggestion, not saying you sould actually do it)....

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Wow, a lot has happened since when I last checked in, here's what's going to happen.

If there is anymore complaints/suggestions you post them in the other thread where this whole competition was decided, not here.

As for the whole "but I got a good deal!!!" thing. The voters will decide whether your laser is valued at under $100 and it should be allowed into the competition.

Jayrob, I understand what you were trying to do with your post, but it did seem like you were trying to sell your product as well. Maybe if you re-word your post to make it seem more like you're showing off your laser rather than selling it.

I'm now also making a limit of 3 photos, all of which have to be 800*600px or under.

So no more complaining/suggestions are to be posted in this thread!

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

I'll edit my post with this comment:
I do hope you guys know that there is no way that I can sell this for $100 bucks! This is just to show what can be done with that money if you have the tools and so forth...

Lazerbeak said:

I like the thought of a clean submission thread although Gun will be consolidating everything in the OP anyway. Any one who wants to delete some posts feel free to do so :beer: Diversity makes it interesting :gj: to everybody.

It is a sweet build Jayrob. I usually don't like the Maglite hosts but that head just makes it work.

~ LB

Click to expand...

:thanks:

About the competition. You guys can just leave my build out of it if it's going to cause too much arguing or drama. I try to stay out of the drama.

Like I said, I totally thought it was to present the best build that you can come up with (or make) for $100 bucks.

I still think it's an interesting thread, and will watch out of interest, but no need to be part of the competition... :beer:

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Yay! All Hail Gun, moderator of the contest

About time you showed up

~ LB

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Please stay in Jay as a longtime vet you are respected and your presence valued. Diversity. The voters will decide and Gun is back.

~ LB

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Haha, thanks LB .

Jayrob, I've edited your build into the OP! It's a fantastic build, it's just that your wording seemed like you were trying to get sales, that's all .

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Gun said:

Wow, a lot has happened since when I last checked in, here's what's going to happen.

If there is anymore complaints/suggestions you post them in the other thread where this whole competition was decided, not here.

As for the whole "but I got a good deal!!!" thing. The voters will decide whether your laser is valued at under $100 and it should be allowed into the competition.

Jayrob, I understand what you were trying to do with your post, but it did seem like you were trying to sell your product as well. Maybe if you re-word your post to make it seem more like you're showing off your laser rather than selling it.

I'm now also making a limit of 3 photos, all of which have to be 800*600px or under.

So no more complaining/suggestions are to be posted in this thread!

Click to expand...

Gun if you limit the submissions to 3 pictures only... than you should edit the OP so each submision has 3 photos... If that is the rule it has to be respected in the OP... Don't you think?

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Here is.... The Green Box!
It was modded from a "300mW" pen that fell and broke.
The pen costed me $50 on DX. I also had to swap the broken lens, the new one was from a $8 10mW module. I already had the box + switch + battery holder but I'm pretty sure they didn't cost another $42






I'm quite sure I can't compete with the builders around here but I really like this laser because:
-It's a freaking box. It can stand on the "tail" or any other side. You can even use it as a room illuminator if you want to
-It's still small enough to use as a pointer. Not unconfortable to hold, either.
-It has a double switch and you can leave the batts in without fear of discharge. You also don't have to keep pressing it and it doesn't look like a clicky XD
-It did 145.3mW peak, 135.6mW avg on my Ophir yesterday. Not quite the 300mW the pen was announced as but surely bright enough to show off.
-Last but not least - I built it out of very cheap stuff!


As a side note, I really think we should have more non-round hosts - besides the labbies that need external power.

Edit: better beamshot and added lens cost.

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Atomicrox i love your submission.... that is what it's all about....
+ rep to you ....

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

Gun said:

Haha, thanks LB .

Jayrob, I've edited your build into the OP! It's a fantastic build, it's just that your wording seemed like you were trying to get sales, that's all .

Click to expand...

Tell you what then...

In the chance that I end up winning any prize, it will go to you. (the OP)

As long as your not one of the judges.

As I mentioned, I do think it is a good and interesting thread. But even more interesting if it involves those who will be able to show what they can make with $100 dollars in parts. (not just what you can buy for $100 bucks)

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

That's very kind but I can't accept a prize if I didn't actually win. Everyone will be voting, there's no set judges.

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

I'm glad this is getting all worked out. I am going to go back and delete irrelevant posts to clean up this thread. I think it would be nice if others did the same. I will also limit my pics to 3.

Thank you Gun. Good luck to all.

Re: Competition #1 - Best Laser under $100

norbyx said:

Atomicrox i love your submission.... that is what it's all about....
+ rep to you ....

Click to expand...

Thanks, man!