Hello,
I'm looking for some advice on my first laser purchase. I need a laser to help with physics demonstrations (refraction and that sort of thing) in daylight, and so by the sounds of it I need something about 5mW.
I've been reading loads of posts and advice over the last few days, and I know way more than I did before, and know I want to choose a specific product.
First of all, on my student budget, I can't really afford anything more than about 30 USD. Is this a realistic budget to get a decent 5mW laser?
Does the colour really matter? What colour beam will show up best going through a glass block and water tank?
Since I'm only getting a 5mW laser, protective glasses aren't necessary, right?
Since the advertised power output and the real power of cheap lasers are often quite different, and I can't afford to buy a $50 LPM, are there any tests I can do to see if its reflections are dangerous? I'll be doing the demonstrations with children, and I can't afford to buy safety glasses for all of them, so I want to keep things safe. Obviously I'll handle it very carefully, and not let the children play with it.
I've had a looked at the recommended online shops, but since I live in Europe, the shipping costs totally screw up my budget.
I've included a few links of lasers I've found, and they seems suspiciously cheap, but the ratings of the sellers are good, so I'm tempted to go for it. I would appreciate any advice.
https://www.dx.com/p/5mw-532nm-green-laser-pointer-pen-with-dx-logo-2-aaa-2008323#.XQ4GW2wzY5k
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/High-Power-...233008?hash=item2f09f0b5b0:g:zVUAAOSws8Rc~LkW
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/High-Power-...233207?hash=item2f09f0b677:g:6ykAAOSwOPxdB6LW
Thank you very much for your time.
I'm looking for some advice on my first laser purchase. I need a laser to help with physics demonstrations (refraction and that sort of thing) in daylight, and so by the sounds of it I need something about 5mW.
I've been reading loads of posts and advice over the last few days, and I know way more than I did before, and know I want to choose a specific product.
First of all, on my student budget, I can't really afford anything more than about 30 USD. Is this a realistic budget to get a decent 5mW laser?
Does the colour really matter? What colour beam will show up best going through a glass block and water tank?
Since I'm only getting a 5mW laser, protective glasses aren't necessary, right?
Since the advertised power output and the real power of cheap lasers are often quite different, and I can't afford to buy a $50 LPM, are there any tests I can do to see if its reflections are dangerous? I'll be doing the demonstrations with children, and I can't afford to buy safety glasses for all of them, so I want to keep things safe. Obviously I'll handle it very carefully, and not let the children play with it.
I've had a looked at the recommended online shops, but since I live in Europe, the shipping costs totally screw up my budget.
I've included a few links of lasers I've found, and they seems suspiciously cheap, but the ratings of the sellers are good, so I'm tempted to go for it. I would appreciate any advice.
https://www.dx.com/p/5mw-532nm-green-laser-pointer-pen-with-dx-logo-2-aaa-2008323#.XQ4GW2wzY5k
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/High-Power-...233008?hash=item2f09f0b5b0:g:zVUAAOSws8Rc~LkW
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/High-Power-...233207?hash=item2f09f0b677:g:6ykAAOSwOPxdB6LW
Thank you very much for your time.