Am I being ripped off?

[EpicHam]

Hello there,
I am currently in touch with CNI asking about the pricing of their stuff.

I want to buy a PGL-III-C 532nm 500mW 1.5mrad 1.5mm beam diameter laser .
Thats gonna cost me $365.
Top notch lasers comes with top notch prices.
No surprise there and will gladly paid for such.

However, what REALLY rustled my jimmes is how much they are charging the accessories.

• $26 for ONE diffraction grating ,not one set . ONE. SINGLE. EIN! UNE!!!

• $120 for a beam expander. (The professional one I see at ThorLabs and Edmund cost like a grand apiece. But those are laboratory grade expanders. May I ask if anyone know where can I get some hobbyist grade BE?)

When I go look at Optotronics'(I heard they are the authoritative hobbyist optics and lens seller) site, i can have 7 ENTIRE PACK of diffraction grating for that price.
Optotronics Product Details




What I want to know is.
Am I being ripped off??

Do I have any other options when it comes to a beam expander that'll be suitable a CNI ??

Would much appreciate the help .

Cheers .

 

[csshih]

$365 for a 500mW green? that's a good price, IMO.

 

[EpicHam]

$365 for a 500mW green? that's a good price, IMO.

but what about the optics tho?
They are VERY pricey for hobbyist standards

 

[Dr.Laser]

but what about the optics tho?
They are VERY pricey for hobbyist standards

Because these diffraction gratings are made of high quality glass. The optotronics ones are plastic.

 

[EpicHam]

Because these diffraction gratings are made of high quality glass. The optotronics ones are plastic.

what does that mean to a hobbyist?

 

[Dr.Laser]

what does that mean to a hobbyist?

The glass means a better beam transmission and less back reflections.

It's still a hobbyist grade diffraction grating, the scientific grade ones costs much more.
If you think it's too high for your standards then you don't have to buy it.