Brand New to Lasers

[DoughDTD]

Hello everyone,

I'm sure you read a million of these posts "I'm new, tell me what to buy"

But I'm mostly here to just say hello, and get a little bit of input.  I've always been fascinated by lasers and just today actually, for no apparent reason, decided I was going to buy one.  I did a bunch of research and reading about different specs, and companies and what-not, and where is what I have boiled my decision down to, so I'm just looking for a bit of personal opinions or feedback from you guys.

What kind of laser I'm looking for:
- Green (this is fact the green laser forum  )
- High enough mW to be impressive in darkness for optic displays (i realize thats not much, but im looking at 50mW being my low end, because of the next criterion)
- I would like to be able to do some, if not lots of burning and balloon popping and all of that fun stuff
- I don't want to spend more then about $150-$175, but the cheaper the better


So here are some of the options I've looked at :

- UltraLasers 80 mW - $135 + $25 Shipping = $160 (im not shipping expedited, i read what happened to the one members DX200)

- UltraLasers 100mW - $165 + $25 Shipping = $190

- DL Viper 75 - $160

- DX 50 mW - $54   (not sure if I want to go higher then DX 50mW, i read about the IR problems higher then 50)

- Possibly DX 200 mW - only if I can be sure that I will be able to add a better funtioning IR filter $120

- NovaLasers x65 - ~$135 without case after rebate and shipping, ~$155 with case after rebate and shipping

- NovaLasers x85 - ~$160 without case after rebate and shipping, ~180 with case after rebate and shipping

So, any input on these companies / lasers would be much appreciated, as well as possible alternitives.  And again, hello to everyone and thanks for the help!

-Mike

 

[Rhith]

I would HIGHLY suggest the Nova Lasers X85.
DX is sketchy to me, and I haven't researched UltraLasers before.
But with NL you will always get an OVER spec laser. They will also write the average and peak mW's on the box.
For another $30 they will send you a power chart with the laser.
Though I don't have a laser in my possession yet I have been learning like there's no tomorrow and actually have my first in transit right now!
Good luck on your purchase and let us know how everything goes.

 

[yew.sir-name]

if price is the issue dx sells a 50mw for $26, if you're willing to spend $25 on shipping i'd say get the 50. you cant go wrong with dx* (i've a couple of lasers an they impressive, my new 30mw pops balloons), plus you'll still have enough left over to get any of the other lasers you've listed



*if something does go wrong it's not my fault

 

[windstrings]

The DL 95 also tend to be underated... What I mean is they usually perform better than expected for a 95mw.
I think they may be 125's that didn't quite make the grade to be called a 125mw.

They have a very good reputation amongst those who own them.. I have the 125mw and love it.