Difference between these?

Hello, I work in the security industry and I use laser pointers as a useful tool for pointing out people in a crowd or getting my colleagues attention in a noisy club (radios suck, lasers are much better).

I have been using the following for a while now:


Wavelength: 532nm
Power: 5mW
Color: Green
Output Type: Fixed focus, continuous output and working time of over 5,000 hours

Price: US $5.49

------------

The above works perfectly, I have sold afew to other doormen as well, they all seem to vary in brightness and not always the same. What I have noticed with these cheaper ones though, is that eventually dust and crap gets inside and covers the diode so the dot eventually becomes more of a smaller dot in the middle then a glow around it.

Not a huge issue, but it's not as accurate as it was when new, ive used a couple of these laser pens now as I don't like the glow around the dot, so I just replace it.

I have just had another look around though and come across this one:


Wavelength: 532nm
Power: 5mW
Color: Green
Output Type: Fixed focus, continuous output and working time of over 5,000 hours
Power Supply: 18650 Batteries

Price: US $36.96

-------

Now my question is, will the more expensive one be better and not have that issue that i'm having? Ive always found that you get what you pay for, so I would imagine so as it costs more.

Or is the additional price simply because it uses the better batteries and it is water proof?
I brought the cheaper one due to the risk of damage and it being lost, but so far ive not lost one and only damaged one in a scuffle, but that only bent it extremly slightly.

The second one you have shown above has a tail clicky switch
You have to push the switch in at the rear
That is much more awkward in a public, sometimes time-sensitive situation
Also, it will click on and stay on until you click it again
If you get jostled, or drop it, or if your attention is drawn away, the beam will continue to shine in any direction the laser is pointed
What you have now has a momentary switch so that it is only on while you are holding the button down

The variability in output between these types of DPSS green lasers is normal

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

The second one you have shown above has a tail clicky switch
You have to push the switch in at the rear
That is much more awkward in a public, sometimes time-sensitive situation
Also, it will click on and stay on until you click it again
If you get jostled, or drop it, or if your attention is drawn away, the beam will continue to shine in any direction the laser is pointed
What you have now has a momentary switch so that it is only on while you are holding the button down

The variability in output between these types of DPSS green lasers is normal

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

Ah yeah, thanks. Tbf I shouldn't have too much of an issue with the tail clicky switch, i'm just want to know if the dot will eventually grow larger due to dirt like the cheaper one.

Would it be worth getting the one that cost a bit more, it does look much smaller which could be good as it only uses 1 battery instead of 2 AAA batteries. It looks much stronger as well.

martynball said:

Ah yeah, thanks. Tbf I shouldn't have too much of an issue with the tail clicky switch, i'm just want to know if the dot will eventually grow larger due to dirt like the cheaper one.

Would it be worth getting the one that cost a bit more, it does look much smaller which could be good as it only uses 1 battery instead of 2 AAA batteries. It looks much stronger as well.

Click to expand...

All lenses eventually pick up dirt
This is especially true if you are keeping it in a pocket

The second one is a "bit shorter", but it is not "smaller"
The batteries designation (18650) means that the battery alone is 65mm long and 18mm in diameter
That's only about 3/4 inch shorter than two AAA's
The tail clicky also adds length to the laser compared to your side momentary switch
Plus it is much "fatter" (diameter) and heavier

Peace,
dave

Ah okay, I figured they would all eventually pick up dirt. The only problem with the cheaper one I have at the moment is that I can't clean it.

Would you not recommend the second one over the first one ? I do like the look of the second one more lol

martynball said:

Ah okay, I figured they would all eventually pick up dirt. The only problem with the cheaper one I have at the moment is that I can't clean it.

Would you not recommend the second one over the first one ? I do like the look of the second one more lol

Click to expand...

In the environment you have described, I would recommend that you stay with the pen laser

At $6 vs $36 you can buy 6 of the pen lasers and throw them away when they get dirty

Also, you may be able to improve the "dirty" lens by using some compressed air to blow out the dust

In some pen lasers you can even remove the front "shield" (if you are careful) to clean the lens
Of course cleaning any of these lenses can cause new problems
Most of them are acrylic, NOT glass.
They scratch very easily

Peace,
dave

Okay I will look into that, thanks