Cant decide what colour next ! help needed . . .

[root729]

Hi guys, I am looking at spending on a new laser very soon but am now not sure what to go for.

I started years ago with the reds but my biggest red was a 5mw then a moved onto greens with my last being an envee supposed 125mw although now I do not think it is much above 50mw. And so to 405nm I just bought 2 of the >5mw of the bay which are a lot brighter and estimated on here at around 30-35mw and they are great.

I was thinking of building a big blue from a 6x and have ordered the flexdrive, housing and glass but this may be used to tinker with my old green to see if I can bring it back to life as the driver has had some "work" done to it over time because of breakages etc.

I do not have lots to spend but now I have seen the brightness of the blurays compared to the greens I am thinking that the best job I can do with 6x still will not match up to my 125mw greenie so maybe I should build a green monster and really get a nice beam or then should I go for a big red as I have never had one but again the beam will not be a bright as the green or will it? I have not looked into specs for a red self build so maybe I can get more for the money compared to green???

I do really like the idea of building a white / 7 colour at some point so I know I will need a big blue at that point to keep up with lower power greenie but thats in the future, for now I think i am looking for a good beam. ( I was surprised that the 35mw blue does have a beam on it )

I dont know, I started off thinking of building a big 405nm but now do not know what to do so please tell me what you would do?

Thanks.

 

[Nefarious]

Well if you're looking for a bright beam than green is the way to go. High powered reds and violets cannot compare to a green when it comes to beam visibility. If you're looking to burn things then violet's the way to go. Red's are good for burning as well and they're cheap which is nice. But again, none will compare to the green in brightness.

 

[root729]

Beam = Good, Burning = Good !!!! Still dont know !

Thanks, will look at the prices of different colour diodes etc to see what I can do, would be nice to have a high power blu and I am sure once I get into the burning power band the beam should be ok ish. Then I would have a good blu if I manage to get a 7 colour project going . . .hmm, today I seam to be heading towards the blu . . . time will tell, thanks for the reply. :-D

 

[Meatball]

Look into Argon lasers... you can get several lines from them in interesting wavelengths.. though they are not cheap. The 7 color project is a good one is you have any experience with drivers and modules and whatnot.