how cheap can 250/300mW red laser go?

yeah for $180 you could build a 250mW blu-ray

GGW sled = $60
module = $4
laser kit =$50-75

heh i'll have an 8x <400mW blu-ray in my new kit (below) in about 2 weeks for sale for around $275

can 180$ build a 300mW blu-ray or red laser?

prob not 300mW blu-ray, as a 6x would have to be pushed hard to get to 300, and 180 wouldn't be enough for an 8x.

but a red can EASILY be built for that much, alot less than that actually, brand new i would sell for around $90

what are the laser fitted in? a flashlight kind of host? i want it to be like that.
and 300mW red vs 250mW blu ray, which is better?

yeah majority of the time a flashlight is stripped of it's internal components and replaced with a custom machined aluminum heatsink, driver, module and diode to become a laser..


thats kind of a personal choice when it comes to red or blu-ray. red has better diverg. so you can point it alot farther, it will also burn darker colored material alot better.

while the blue on the other hand, the beam tends to get wide over distance, and is not really that great for pointing, But it will burn almost anything regardless of it's color (like skin), and it makes things flouresce.
but don't misunderstand me when i complain about the wide beam , im talking +100 yards. it appears big and blurry to the human eye (no way to fix this)

so how much can you build one with 300mW red, with a pretty out look.

one built in my new kits (link below in my signature) would be around $90

you will buy all the parts and i will pay you and you will shipp it to me right?

i sent you a pm.

Just for the record, I'd like to step in and vouch for Matt and the quality of his builds, you can't go wrong with one of his lasers and he's always available for support down the road if you need it. While you might (keep in mind I said "might") be able to pick up a Chinese laser for a little cheaper, Matt's attention to detail and building experience are worth the few extra $ IMHO plus you know you're getting exactly what you pay for, no surprises.

(And I wouldn't trust a multi-$100 build to just anyone either, and Matt's already agreed to work with me on my 8X project - that should hopefully tell you something too!)