- Joined
- Dec 14, 2010
- Messages
- 315
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Hia everybody!
I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to join because I feel that I might have a little to contribute when it comes to lasers. I'm certainly not a noob - I've been playing with DPSS/Handheld lasers for... a good 10 years or so and have made my own handhelds, and even had a crazy idea of making my own using a DPSS and converting it into a torch. But then I found that it's cheaper to buy ones already made ;-)
Anyway, I had gotten out of the "game" for a while, until my interest was sparked again by watching some videos on youtube and playing with my old and trusty 30mw greenie... And I decided I wanted to get into doing reviews like a lot of the other members here. I just needed somewhere to contribute it to
I used to / still am a member of the CPF as well, though I haven't visited there in a while.
A little about myself:
I work for Research In Motion, (BlackBerry) as a Technical Principal Instructor (I teach people for a living) in Canada (YES! No super-restrictive laser import laws yet... knock on wood), I'm a part time musician, I am a competitive Rubik's Cube speed solver (I average around 18 seconds on a 3x3x3 Rubik's cube) and all around nerd. Geek. Whatever ;-) If there's something geeky, I've probably dabbled in it a little bit.
But I digress.
The dilemma that I'm hoping you folks might be able to offer a little insight or advice to is this:
I've decided to take a leap and get a decent torch laser. Something more than 300mw, something that has that little extra ummph but the problem is that I only have around 600$ to spend or so, and I also want to get all of the proper eye protection, rechargable batteries, etc. (I want a whole kit basically)
So here's what I've been looking at initially and because I'm still a few months away from actually BUYING anything, I want to be extremely well informed prior to putting any money on the line.
Let me tell you what I want my goals of having a laser are before assisting my decision though.
I basically want a powerful pointer that looks super-bright. I do want to do some burning tests, popping balloons, etc. (Mostly distance popping in a safe environment) Though my main focus is simply a super-bright laser/beam. It's pretty lol
Of higher importance though is an IR filter. Lower power lasers, I don't care if they have an IR filter or not. These higher power lasers are absolutely mandatory for me however. I like my remaining eye. (Hahaha kidding, I have both still)
I've contemplated 635nm, 650-670~nm, Blue (447nm?) and 532nm all in torch form. Here's what I've come up with on my own:
Obviously green is going to appear the brightest to us. Bell curve, 555nm being the middle and all that stuff.
635nm is rareish, and 650-670 isn't as brilliant. It's "just a normal laser" though you can get pretty powerful for pretty cheap and still keep it's reliability.
Blue lasers (Yes I know there are multiple iterations) look super appealing to me and the power output for price is REDICULOUS. I've seen a few 1W blue lasers for 300$ which is incredible. And they're torch hosts which is exactly what I want, but it honestly scares me a little. Intimidating really - I'm extremely responsible, but accidents can happen. 1W is a little too much power for me I think right now.
So I'm wanting another greenie. One that's between 250-500mw
Well, anyway, here's what I've come up with:
350mW New portable Green laser torch(IR filtered)
350mW New portable Green laser torch(IR filtered) [OLNGL350] - $289.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
This is my first idea.
I've heard lots of good things and mixed things about o-like. Quality, price, shipping, customer service, etc.
Overall it seems to be the better of the cheaper places, and I've read many lists, stickies of "where should I buy my laser" kind of threads, etc.
My problem isn't so much the decision making process - I'm looking for insight from you folks, personal experiences and such that would help me make a better-informed decision.
Here's the other one I was looking at comparatively speaking:
RF532-400mW-02:
www.rayfoss.com
It's not much more expensive, higher output, but I don't know if it comes with an IR filter which is of extremely high importance to me.
The advantage with Rayfoss is that it has a battery, charger, etc. where the other one doesn't.
I REALLY like the look of the larger torch lasers (I know it's just the host, but for some reason I just like the idea of having a huge-ass laser lol) and that's my preference, but I'm definitely open to suggestions.
What are the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each? Is there somewhere I might not have considered that would be a better deal (in terms of performance for price, and safety)
I also plan on buying extra rechargable batteries for whichever laser I choose, and I would prefer to get safety glasses from the place I order the laser as well so they come together. I'm certainly looking for the entire package basically.
Alternatively, I'm not opposed to buying a used laser as well - I just haven't started looking in the classifieds/used/for sale section assuming the site has one. (Just haven't bothered to look, I usually just come right here)
ANYWAY!
I digress a lot here.
Those are my goals, focuses, etc. and I very much want to make a reasonably informed decision so that I know I'm getting the most reliable bang for my buck.
All ideas and opinions are welcome, and thanks in advance
I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to join because I feel that I might have a little to contribute when it comes to lasers. I'm certainly not a noob - I've been playing with DPSS/Handheld lasers for... a good 10 years or so and have made my own handhelds, and even had a crazy idea of making my own using a DPSS and converting it into a torch. But then I found that it's cheaper to buy ones already made ;-)
Anyway, I had gotten out of the "game" for a while, until my interest was sparked again by watching some videos on youtube and playing with my old and trusty 30mw greenie... And I decided I wanted to get into doing reviews like a lot of the other members here. I just needed somewhere to contribute it to
I used to / still am a member of the CPF as well, though I haven't visited there in a while.
A little about myself:
I work for Research In Motion, (BlackBerry) as a Technical Principal Instructor (I teach people for a living) in Canada (YES! No super-restrictive laser import laws yet... knock on wood), I'm a part time musician, I am a competitive Rubik's Cube speed solver (I average around 18 seconds on a 3x3x3 Rubik's cube) and all around nerd. Geek. Whatever ;-) If there's something geeky, I've probably dabbled in it a little bit.
But I digress.
The dilemma that I'm hoping you folks might be able to offer a little insight or advice to is this:
I've decided to take a leap and get a decent torch laser. Something more than 300mw, something that has that little extra ummph but the problem is that I only have around 600$ to spend or so, and I also want to get all of the proper eye protection, rechargable batteries, etc. (I want a whole kit basically)
So here's what I've been looking at initially and because I'm still a few months away from actually BUYING anything, I want to be extremely well informed prior to putting any money on the line.
Let me tell you what I want my goals of having a laser are before assisting my decision though.
I basically want a powerful pointer that looks super-bright. I do want to do some burning tests, popping balloons, etc. (Mostly distance popping in a safe environment) Though my main focus is simply a super-bright laser/beam. It's pretty lol
Of higher importance though is an IR filter. Lower power lasers, I don't care if they have an IR filter or not. These higher power lasers are absolutely mandatory for me however. I like my remaining eye. (Hahaha kidding, I have both still)
I've contemplated 635nm, 650-670~nm, Blue (447nm?) and 532nm all in torch form. Here's what I've come up with on my own:
Obviously green is going to appear the brightest to us. Bell curve, 555nm being the middle and all that stuff.
635nm is rareish, and 650-670 isn't as brilliant. It's "just a normal laser" though you can get pretty powerful for pretty cheap and still keep it's reliability.
Blue lasers (Yes I know there are multiple iterations) look super appealing to me and the power output for price is REDICULOUS. I've seen a few 1W blue lasers for 300$ which is incredible. And they're torch hosts which is exactly what I want, but it honestly scares me a little. Intimidating really - I'm extremely responsible, but accidents can happen. 1W is a little too much power for me I think right now.
So I'm wanting another greenie. One that's between 250-500mw
Well, anyway, here's what I've come up with:
350mW New portable Green laser torch(IR filtered)
350mW New portable Green laser torch(IR filtered) [OLNGL350] - $289.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
This is my first idea.
I've heard lots of good things and mixed things about o-like. Quality, price, shipping, customer service, etc.
Overall it seems to be the better of the cheaper places, and I've read many lists, stickies of "where should I buy my laser" kind of threads, etc.
My problem isn't so much the decision making process - I'm looking for insight from you folks, personal experiences and such that would help me make a better-informed decision.
Here's the other one I was looking at comparatively speaking:
RF532-400mW-02:
www.rayfoss.com
It's not much more expensive, higher output, but I don't know if it comes with an IR filter which is of extremely high importance to me.
The advantage with Rayfoss is that it has a battery, charger, etc. where the other one doesn't.
I REALLY like the look of the larger torch lasers (I know it's just the host, but for some reason I just like the idea of having a huge-ass laser lol) and that's my preference, but I'm definitely open to suggestions.
What are the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each? Is there somewhere I might not have considered that would be a better deal (in terms of performance for price, and safety)
I also plan on buying extra rechargable batteries for whichever laser I choose, and I would prefer to get safety glasses from the place I order the laser as well so they come together. I'm certainly looking for the entire package basically.
Alternatively, I'm not opposed to buying a used laser as well - I just haven't started looking in the classifieds/used/for sale section assuming the site has one. (Just haven't bothered to look, I usually just come right here)
ANYWAY!
I digress a lot here.
Those are my goals, focuses, etc. and I very much want to make a reasonably informed decision so that I know I'm getting the most reliable bang for my buck.
All ideas and opinions are welcome, and thanks in advance
