Starting out with Lasers

Edit: Can I just wear sunglasses to protect myself from "IR"? <--- found out I cant..

Edit: Willin to spend up to $40, want something that is powerful enough to 1) reach the skies daylight and nite 2) have a beam at night (if a beam at day, that would be even better).

Hey guys.

Well, i've always thought lasers were a "cool" thing to have. So I decided to go out, and get a pretty decent one.

I need someone to explain for me what "mW" means (5mW, 10mW, 20mW), and "nm", in an understanding way, and use english please, not that, well, E= Mc so 20mW = u5j5n sdfhfi45u4j54j5h435h345h34534h5h... yeah.. I cant understand any of that.

I am lookin for somethin to be able to just shine really, really, really far, as far as it can go, and has a beam. I also prefer a green laser, and I want it to be visible in the night, daylight, etc.

I am new to this so please dont tell me to leave and go find info somewhere else. Also, if you could link me with the site to this "laser" that I want to buy.

Maybe later on, when I get used to lasers, I will go out and buy a laser that can burn, cut, etc... but for now, I want something to just hold in my pocket and shine anytime.

Thanks!!

P.S. I did read the sticky "What should I buy??"

well first off, how much can you spend on this laser and how fast do you want it shipped to your location? secondly, mW stands for milliwatts. It is the output of electricity "i believe" that is transfered into light/the power of the actual laser beam. and nm is basically a color scale.. At at a certain point, human eyes cannot detect the light; even though it is still there; hence a IR laser. Btw, IR stands for infrared

if you want a pen laser i say go nova lsers.If you want a pen and don't want to spend too much go with a true 30 from dealextreme.

This guide may help you out a bit. Also, mW is the power of the laser, basically the more mW, the brighter.

thanks for the guide! ill check it out right away!

thanks to every1 who posed already. I am willing to spend between $1-40

this guide will help you better

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?virboard=b_general;num=1206843997


READ TEH FAQ

It is the output of electricity "i believe" that is transfered into light/the power of the actual laser beam.

Click to expand...

More like the input of electricity that is transformed into light. :

$40, yeah:
- look on the map and use a compas to turn towards China
- take two steps forward

That about as far as 40 bucks will get you in the laser hobby.Lasers are expensive :'(
Beam reaching the sky in daytime, deam on. :'(

for 40 bucks i would recommend http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.469 or http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5785

i believe those two are the most reliable of the dx lasers.

http://www.novalasers.com/NOVAstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=84

On the other hand, if you don't minding spending in tripple figures, I think the Nova X 50mW would be the best suitable match for your needs, as it's both superb quality and cheap for that type of pen.  It's the same price as Dragon Lasers' Viper 35mW so you're really getting more for your money.  Plus it's worth every penny as you'll get so much more out of the high grade pens than you will from lower market pens, like IR filters and better beam quality/performance.  

However for the price of a DX pen, you can always go for one if you can't afford it, because for that price, it's worth the money too... But for me, saving would be better...

the DX 20mW ultrafire is a good one because its waterproof and actually puts out more than 20mW