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Looking to buy a new laser with specific characteristics...

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Laser2a

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Jun 21, 2014
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Hi guys, I'm new here and I hope I go about this in the correct manner. I'm looking to buy a new portable laser. What I want from a laser is as follows:

Budget $100-200
In order of importance:
1. Distance (low divergence?) [I would like to visibly illuminate large objects that are 1-5 miles away)
2. Visibility of dot at long distance
3. Visibility of beam at long distance
4. IR Filter
5. Durable
6. Lights matches, burns the basics

Based on my research and reading similar threads I have concluded that the best lasers for long distance is DPSS 532nm green; 100-300mW should be sufficient for my needs; and good, cheap brands are scifi lasers, O-like, and Laserbtb. I guess what I still need is some suggestions on specific models and if I have come to an incorrect conclusion. I would appreciate all of your input and help!
 
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IsaacT

IsaacT

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Laser2a said:
Hi guys, I'm new here and I hope I go about this in the correct manner. I'm looking to buy a new portable laser. What I want from a laser is as follows:

Budget $100-200
In order of importance:
1. Distance (low divergence?) [I would like to visibly illuminate large objects that are 1-5 miles away)
2. Visibility of dot at long distance
3. Visibility of beam at long distance
4. IR Filter
5. Durable
6. Lights matches, burns the basics

Based on my research and reading similar threads I have concluded that the best lasers for long distance is DPSS 532nm green; 100-300W should be sufficient for my needs; and good, cheap brands are scifi lasers, O-like, and Laserbtb. I guess what I still need is some suggestions on specific models and if I have come to an incorrect conclusion. I would appreciate all of your input and help!
Click to expand...

Your problem will be #6 on that list. Burning things is not something a 300mW 532nm laser does easily unless the manufacturer makes it easy to focus them. My suggestion would be the LaserBtB PL series. They seem to be a great value for mW/price/quality.
 
FallOutFighter

FallOutFighter

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Jun 5, 2014
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Laser2a said:
Hi guys, I'm new here and I hope I go about this in the correct manner. I'm looking to buy a new portable laser. What I want from a laser is as follows:

Budget $100-200
In order of importance:
1. Distance (low divergence?) [I would like to visibly illuminate large objects that are 1-5 miles away)
2. Visibility of dot at long distance
3. Visibility of beam at long distance
4. IR Filter
5. Durable
6. Lights matches, burns the basics

Based on my research and reading similar threads I have concluded that the best lasers for long distance is DPSS 532nm green; 100-300W should be sufficient for my needs; and good, cheap brands are scifi lasers, O-like, and Laserbtb. I guess what I still need is some suggestions on specific models and if I have come to an incorrect conclusion. I would appreciate all of your input and help!
Click to expand...

This is the one that I recommend: HL 520nm 30mW-150mW

It fits all your needs the only thing is I don't know if it has an IR filter.

Definitely go with the 150mw one if you want to easily pop balloons and start matches. It is also extremely bright so wear protection!

Also in your description it says 100-300W I think you meant 100-300mw
 
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mortuus

mortuus

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FallOutFighter 520nm is a diode so IR is not needed or does even exist.
 
Rifter

Rifter

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FallOutFighter said:
This is the one that I recommend: HL 520nm 30mW-150mW

It fits all your needs the only thing is I don't know if it has an IR filter.

Definitely go with the 150mw one if you want to easily pop balloons and start matches. It is also extremely bright so wear protection!

Also in your description it says 100-300W I think you meant 100-300mw
Click to expand...

I don't think the divergence on that is going to be low enough to see the dot at long distance, if my calculations are correct with a mrad of 3 and beam diameter of 2.5mm at a distance of 5 miles the dot would be about 24 meters in diameter.

I think you would need a very significant amount of power to see a dot that large at a distance of 5 miles.
 
IsaacT

IsaacT

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I have a 200mW 520nm laser and I can see it hit clouds. I'll see if I can find a 5 mile stretch of road and try out what you need though.
 
S

steve001

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Rifter said:
I don't think the divergence on that is going to be low enough to see the dot at long distance, if my calculations are correct with a mrad of 3 and beam diameter of 2.5mm at a distance of 5 miles the dot would be about 24 meters in diameter.

I think you would need a very significant amount of power to see a dot that large at a distance of 5 miles.
Click to expand...

It says <3mrd, but that doesn't tell us much.
 
IsaacT

IsaacT

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Rifter said:
It tells us it's over 2 or it would say <2
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I have seen laser companies that simply quote "<3 or <4" and the laser is like 1.5, all because they don't have the time or inclination to measure every single one made.
 
L

Laser2a

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IsaacT said:
Your problem will be #6 on that list. Burning things is not something a 300mW 532nm laser does easily unless the manufacturer makes it easy to focus them. My suggestion would be the LaserBtB PL series. They seem to be a great value for mW/price/quality.
Click to expand...

FallOutFighter said:
This is the one that I recommend: HL 520nm 30mW-150mW

It fits all your needs the only thing is I don't know if it has an IR filter.

Definitely go with the 150mw one if you want to easily pop balloons and start matches. It is also extremely bright so wear protection!

Also in your description it says 100-300W I think you meant 100-300mw
Click to expand...

IsaacT said:
I have a 200mW 520nm laser and I can see it hit clouds. I'll see if I can find a 5 mile stretch of road and try out what you need though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The LaserBtB PL series looks very promising. I wish manufacturers and retailers would list a proper range on these things. I'm a tad skeptical about the 520nm lasers, if the divergence is as good or better than a DPSS 532nm then that would be great. It will be interesting to see what you find out Isaac! Don't go and do something ridiculous for me though ha. Just to let y'all know why I would like for it have a range of up to maybe 5 miles is I would like to be able to point out and illuminate abandoned oil rigs from the beach. I will not be pointing this at anything occupied or dangerous. I could see this as also being a survival tool serving as an alternative locating device. :thanks:
 
Rifter

Rifter

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Laser2a said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions. The LaserBtB PL series looks very promising. I wish manufacturers and retailers would list a proper range on these things. I'm a tad skeptical about the 520nm lasers, if the divergence is as good or better than a DPSS 532nm then that would be great. It will be interesting to see what you find out Isaac! Don't go and do something ridiculous for me though ha. Just to let y'all know why I would like for it have a range of up to maybe 5 miles is I would like to be able to point out and illuminate abandoned oil rigs from the beach. I will not be pointing this at anything occupied or dangerous. I could see this as also being a survival tool serving as an alternative locating device. :thanks:
Click to expand...

I've been told that the DPSS 532 lasers have the best divergence.

EDIT: see my thread here about divergence and what best laser is for lowest divergence http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/lowest-divergence-laser-diode-89850.html
 
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Rifter

Rifter

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Laser2a said:
Another question that I have is will I need an expander for achieving a range of five miles?
Click to expand...

This is likely, ive been told my 300mw 660nm LPC 826 has excellent divergence and im pretty sure i would not be able to see its dot at 5 miles.

Of course im sure brute force(more power) would also work but the issue at least to me appears like the higher in power diodes you go the worse the divergence gets thus requiring even more power so its a vicious circle.
 
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Laser2a

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Rifter said:
This is likely, ive been told my 300mw 660nm LPC 826 has excellent divergence and im pretty sure i would not be able to see its dot at 5 miles.

Of course im sure brute force(more power) would also work but the issue at least to me appears like the higher in power diodes you go the worse the divergence gets thus requiring even more power so its a vicious circle.
Click to expand...

So far the two DPSS lasers that ive considered are not sold with expanders. Does anyone know a good one that fits an expander and isnt way out of my price range?
 
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