Price difference..

So im looking to bu my first laser. I was looking at www.rayfoss.com for $98.00 for a 150mW. Then if I go to other sites a 150mW laser costs a lot more. For example Green Laser Pointers w/ Dual Lock | SKYlasers a 150mW laser there costs $400.00+. What am I missing here that makes the price so different for the same mW laser?

One par of difference is quality, other part is the brand.

If you are looking for first laser, Rayfoss and O-like are the best, alongside Optotronics which is even better but a bit more pricey.

Usually, you can find a 200mW green laser on DX for $50, but that will be like, 100mW at best.

Not every laser is as advertised!

You need to familiarise yourself with the list of respectible companies to buy from here.
High end, top notch:
LaserGlow
DragonLasers
Optotronics
Novalasers
And recend addition: Wickedlasers

Affordable-and-good range:
O-like
Rayfoss

stay-away range:

Dealextreme
Focalprice
similar mass sale sites

Those last ones are very good for finding flashlights, other electronics, tools like solder and stuff, many many goodies, just stay away from lasers.
Browse DX for some good flashlight hosts, and some li-ion batteries and chargers,
You will need them soon enough.

Well the first thing I would say is that while those both have the same rated power output, they are not the same hosts, so I'm sure that will account for part of the price difference.

Another thing is that different companies simply have different profit margins, and (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but $400 for a 150mW green seems kind of absurd; I mean that's about as much as a Wicked Laser for a similar power output.

I personally haven't seen any reviews of either of those lasers, but you can try searching the forums to see if anyone has. Rayfoss is a reputable company whose lasers are generally up-to-spec, so if I were you I would go with them.

ALSO, I wouldn't suggest buying such a high power laser as a first laser, but if you are BUY PROTECTIVE GOGGLES. They are a must if you don't want to damage your eyes and regret playing with a laser for the rest of your life. You can look in the "Laser Safety and Legal Issues" subforum and find all sorts of feedback on different goggles. Also you can search "green goggles" and find a lot of information.
Safety before fun!
Hope that helps.

Lawlgen said:

So im looking to bu my first laser. I was looking at www.rayfoss.com for $98.00 for a 150mW. Then if I go to other sites a 150mW laser costs a lot more. For example Green Laser Pointers w/ Dual Lock | SKYlasers a 150mW laser there costs $400.00+. What am I missing here that makes the price so different for the same mW laser?

Click to expand...

Quality. Do some reading here and your questions will be answered.