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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Starting my hobby with a bang

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LaserNinja

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What's happening? (I know you're not going to answer this but I ask anyway) :D

I have several lasers under 100mW. played with my friends lab laser cutting stuff. etc..
However I want some more serious lasers than these knock off china sites (Laser Pointers - Green, Red, Blue Lasers at Laserpointerpro.com)
So doing some research on the forum Lazerer is somewhere is the middle as far as quality.
I can't afford top of the line but I am willing to spend around $700
So I figure the 500mW 532nm, glasses, charger, battery, power cert..$325
The Rife 1.5W 445nm,lens kit,glasses, charger, battery, power cert....$247
2x "Sticks" 100mw 532nm (for gifts) glasses. charger, battery (<<<x2)$106
A 100mW 650nm. Just to have a red one.......................................$33
With a total around $710 + Whatever shipping is...

Anyways! You guys are the experienced in this hobby, so I'm asking your advise.
Would you go with this bundle, or do you have suggestion?
Also everyone says it takes a few weeks to ship, no one specifies whether they paid "EMS" or standard shipping?... -_-
If it is going to take 3 weeks anyway shouldn't I just go with standard?

Thanks!
 
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Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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I don't have any experience with EMS, but shipping does always take forever. I would recommend buying your 445nm from a member here. You can likely get something nicer from another member for $247, and you won't be waiting about a month.
 
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LaserNinja

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Mrcrouse said:
I don't have any experience with EMS, but shipping does always take forever. I would recommend buying your 445nm from a member here. You can likely get something nicer from another member for $247, and you won't be waiting about a month.
Click to expand...

I was going to try and build one (buying parts from DTR)
But I saw the lens kit and that always makes a laser more fun you know?
 
Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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True indeed. If you are going for the lens kit, then yes, the rifle from Lazerer is probably your best bet.
 
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LaserNinja

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I really considered getting the 2.1W+ 445nm "DominatoR" by Blord but $360 is pretty steep (for me) for one laser... But maybe it's worth it after all?
 
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Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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That's up to you. I personally would never shell out big bucks for a 445nm when you can buy a module with a g2 lens and X-Drive at 2.1A for $128 from DTR. That should get you 2.5-3W. Then you can buy whatever host kit you want, and save a bunch of money.
 
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LaserNinja

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Mrcrouse said:
That's up to you. I personally would never shell out big bucks for a 445nm when you can buy a module with a g2 lens and X-Drive at 2.1A for $128 from DTR. That should get you 2.5-3W. Then you can buy whatever host kit you want, and save a bunch of money.
Click to expand...

DTR's G-2 lens 445nm diode. $125
A good host With heat sink $100
Then there's the battery and charger $20-30
What am I missing?
focus adapter...
 
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Blord

Blord

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LaserNinja said:
I really considered getting the 2.1W+ 445nm "DominatoR" by Blord but $360 is pretty steep (for me) for one laser... But maybe it's worth it after all?
Click to expand...

The Dominators have a minimum output of 2.5Watt. Usually close to the 3 Watt mark. That is a whole lot more than 2.1 Watt.

You can build a laser yourself but diodes can die in the building process. Even the 9mm diodes aren't indestructible. It is a toss-up between DIY and buying complete lasers.
 
Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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LaserNinja said:
DTR's G-2 lens 445nm diode. $125
A good host With heat sink $100
Then there's the battery and charger $20-30
What am I missing?
focus adapter...
Click to expand...

For $100 you can get a very nice host kit, and for about $10 would be a basic knob, $30-$40 would get you a very nice custom knob.

Blord said:
The Dominators have a minimum output of 2.5Watt. Usually close to the 3 Watt mark. That is a whole lot more than 2.1 Watt.

You can build a laser yourself but diodes can die in the building process. Even the 9mm diodes aren't indestructible. It is a toss-up between DIY and buying complete lasers.
Click to expand...

The insurance of buying a fully assembled and working laser is definitely nice, but most of your risk is gone if you have a module with the driver already attached.
 
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LaserNinja

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Mrcrouse said:
For $100 you can get a very nice host kit, and for about $10 would be a basic knob, $30-$40 would get you a very nice custom knob.



The insurance of buying a fully assembled and working laser is definitely nice, but most of your risk is gone if you have a module with the driver already attached.
Click to expand...

I really like the fully polished mace of doom seen HERE
I just looked at DTR's 9mm module it's $128
Host $150
Batteries and charger $40

that's $318.... We are getting pretty close to the price of the Dominator.. lol

I haven't done soldering since doing some car audio systems years back.
 
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Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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LaserNinja said:
I really like the fully polished mace of doom seen HERE
I just looked at DTR's 9mm module it's $128
Host $150
Batteries and charger $40

that's $318.... We are getting pretty close to the price of the Dominator.. lol

I haven't done soldering since doing some car audio systems years back.
Click to expand...

That is getting close, but you have to consider the fact that with that mace of doom, you are adding all that polishing work, and the custom knob. $60-$70 of that $150 is the stripping and polishing. And actually, with that mace of doom, there is no soldering required as it has a screw terminal pill.
 
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LaserNinja

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Mrcrouse said:
That is getting close, but you have to consider the fact that with that mace of doom, you are adding all that polishing work, and the custom knob. $60-$70 of that $150 is the stripping and polishing. And actually, with that mace of doom, there is no soldering required as it has a screw terminal pill.
Click to expand...

Pardon this noob post:
Oh! You mean the negative lead right?
Since the pill is threaded to the host there's no negative lead wire needed.
 
Eradicator

Eradicator

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All I'm gonna say is that I have owned 2 lasers from lazerer, both were dead within a few months, and I go like half duty cycle always. Ive only had one member built laser die, and that was a 405nm S06J, and we all know that those die on the regular.


I learned my lesson, and stopped buying from China at all.(unless its a laser you can only get from China, such as the 1W 650nm I have on the way from skylaser. The quality of Blords builds makes anything from China look like a joke anyways.


If I had 700$ to spend on lasers, I would buy or build a 2.5W+ 445, and look for someone selling a badass Greeny, like this. http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/pgl-532nm-peaks-over-800-mw-fs-79482.html

Just my 2 cents.
 
Mrcrouse

Mrcrouse

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No, this host does not have a pill normally, so I thread the battery tube for 2 6-32 screws, and then fit a plastic piece across the top of the battery tube. Then I thread a 6-32 screw through the middle of that plastic piece for the positive lead. With this setup both the positive and negative leads can be attached between 2 nuts and washers on the positive, and 2 washers on the negative. As far as I know, this is the only host kit out there with this option.
 
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LaserNinja

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Eradicator said:
All I'm gonna say is that I have owned 2 lasers from lazerer, both were dead within a few months, and I go like half duty cycle always. Ive only had one member built laser die, and that was a 405nm S06J, and we all know that those die on the regular.


I learned my lesson, and stopped buying from China at all.(unless its a laser you can only get from China, such as the 1W 650nm I have on the way from skylaser. The quality of Blords builds makes anything from China look like a joke anyways.


If I had 700$ to spend on lasers, I would buy or build a 2.5W+ 445, and look for someone selling a badass Greeny, like this. http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/pgl-532nm-peaks-over-800-mw-fs-79482.html

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that, it makes sense.
If I'm going to spend a lot of money on lasers I should get a quality one.
I'll keep my eye on the b/s/t section for a seriously awesome 532nm laser

Thanks
 
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LaserNinja

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Maybe I'll get THIS Lab Laser :drool:
Seriously a 1W 532, that's gotta be an insanely bright beam.
I would be trying to take it outside and shine it on clouds
It would be like the luxor, but green :D:D
7687_1.jpg
 
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