Another newby with a cheap blue laser

[Coopdogg]

Hi, im Rich, otherwise known as coopdogg,

ive been craving a blue laser for some time now after my dad brought me a decent green laser back from thailand to use as a starpointer when im out with my telescope on the rare clear days we get.

well ive just been on my holidays to thailand and ive picked up the following blue laser.

as you can see in the first picture it quotes "20,000,mW" and a 450nm wavelength and states its class IVb

now the 20k mW i took with a pinch of salt, but i admit, the thing is powerful enough to burn your hand/set things on fire.

anyways, enough rabbiting on, im guessing the "engrish" translation should have been more like 2000mW

anyone have any experience with these cheap lasers?

 

[TheDukeAnumber1]

Yeah and like ya said they are pretty cheap all around, can break easy or last seemingly forever. But now you have one that you can abuse when you get a better one.

Welcome to the forum and read the safety stickies when you get a chance.

 

[norbyx]

Well first welcome to the forum... You will find tons of information here on all types of lasers.
Second, your laser sign says <20.000mw that means less than 20w. I think that is true 100% who would deny its not? Now depending on the diode it uses it might be a powerful laser but unless you have a LPM (laser power meter) you will never know.
What brand and model did you say it was? Also how much was the cost of this laser.

 

[Livinloud]

Laser looks pretty nice. As you said 20W is a freakin joke but hey they arent lying since it says under 20W. could be 1mW and it'd still be true :crackup: id guess it'd be between 1W-2W based on similar lasers ive seen on the forum but without testing it on a LPM there is absolutely no way of knowing. As Duke mentioned, please read the sticky's and especially the ones regarding safety. Good place to start is the top of each sub-section in the forum or the yellow link in my signature below. Welcome to LPF and if you have any questions, we'll be able to answer them :beer:

 

[Zakkusus]

I almost purchased one of those lasers on ebay. Then I did a little bit of research and discovered LPF. Make sure you get a nice pair of laser goggles. I purchased some Eagle Pair from Safety and my eyes have since thanked me.

 

[norbyx]

I almost purchased one of those lasers on ebay. Then I did a little bit of research and discovered LPF. Make sure you get a nice pair of laser goggles. I purchased some Eagle Pair from Safety and my eyes have since thanked me.

Goggles are very important specially if you inted to burn stuff...