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Choosing a decent laser for a decent price

C

Captain Bagrov

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Hey, I've been looking over a lot of various posts trying to find a good site or a person (I've seen people talking about some Blord, but he was last seen here sometime in 2017) selling lasers for a good price. I would expect to buy laser from about 500 miliwatts up to 1 watt power output but I can't say I can afford the expensive and high quality ones, I think I could afford to spent up to 50 USD (I'm still a student) for one laser. If possible a laser for 18650 batteries, I've got couple of them for about 5 dollars each, so I'd be glad if I wouldn't have to buy new different type of batteries. I'd be happy to get a green one, possibly a blue one, I heard they're a lot cheaper (is there any big difference between 520 and 525? I've seen both selling with the same power output with about 40 dollars difference).

I don't want to risk buying one from ebay, it's hard to find a good offer and get a laser with at least half the power I ordered.

I think I would be able to make myself a one, but I would need someone's help to choose the right lens and diode and stuff. I really don't know anything about that.

Don't worry, I know that I should use safety glasses for stronger lasers so I won't permanently damage my retinas.

Thank you for any answer, please say as much as possible, not because I don't know things, but it's always good to get to know things I might not have known. :)
 





Is $50 your budget for safety glasses *and* a 0.5-1W laser? For $50 all you'll be able to buy is a cheap 1W made in China 445nm blue laser, and even that may be a stretch. You're not going to get a 0.5-1W 520/532 anywhere for that price.
 
diachi said:
Is $50 your budget for safety glasses *and* a 0.5-1W laser? For $50 all you'll be able to buy is a cheap 1W made in China 445nm blue laser, and even that may be a stretch. You're not going to get a 0.5-1W 520/532 anywhere for that price.
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Not the glasses, just the laser. I'm looking for something up to 1 watt, but somewhere in the middle (about 700mw). I know that 1 watt might be too much for this amount of money, but I was still hoping for at least a tip for a site
 
Captain Bagrov said:
Not the glasses, just the laser. I'm looking for something up to 1 watt, but somewhere in the middle (about 700mw). I know that 1 watt might be too much for this amount of money, but I was still hoping for at least a tip for a site
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At 1W safety glasses are a must. Your budget is barely enough for even a cheap pair of those, never mind the laser. I suggest saving up some money for both safety glasses and a somewhat better quality laser.

Check this thread for a list of reliable companies.

https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/guide-which-company-should-i-buy-from.97936/
 
If you are wanting a green laser between 500 mW and 1 watt, you are going to pay a lot more than $50.00 for one. Anything you see online that claims high power at a cheap price will likely be a scam. If you would be willing to accept an 80 mW 532nm green laser, you can buy a 301 or a 303 on eBay for $5.00. This will give you a laser to become accustomed to while you are saving up for a more powerful one at a later date.
 
double ditto
'If you are wanting a green laser between 500 mW and 1 watt, you are going to pay a lot more than $50.00 for one. Anything you see online that claims high power at a cheap price will likely be a scam. If you would be willing to accept an 80 mW 532nm green laser, you can buy a 301 or a 303 on eBay for $5.00. This will give you a laser to become accustomed to while you are saving up for a more powerful one at a later date. '

AND they take 18650s
PM coming on a great source of 18650s
 
diachi said:
At 1W safety glasses are a must. Your budget is barely enough for even a cheap pair of those, never mind the laser. I suggest saving up some money for both safety glasses and a somewhat better quality laser.

Check this thread for a list of reliable companies.

https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/guide-which-company-should-i-buy-from.97936/
Click to expand...

This definitely helped me out to pick a company, thank you. At first I was thinking about Sanwu, but they have a bit too pricy lasers. But I think I found a nice one at jetlasers for around 200 hundred, so I should start saving up some money, but again, thanks for the link :)
 
Captain Bagrov said:
This definitely helped me out to pick a company, thank you. At first I was thinking about Sanwu, but they have a bit too pricy lasers. But I think I found a nice one at jetlasers for around 200 hundred, so I should start saving up some money, but again, thanks for the link :)
Click to expand...


Glad it helped!

JL are good, many happy customers here.

Can vouch for Sanwu myself, pricey, but their quality is second to none.
 
paul1598419 said:
If you are wanting a green laser between 500 mW and 1 watt, you are going to pay a lot more than $50.00 for one. Anything you see online that claims high power at a cheap price will likely be a scam. If you would be willing to accept an 80 mW 532nm green laser, you can buy a 301 or a 303 on eBay for $5.00. This will give you a laser to become accustomed to while you are saving up for a more powerful one at a later date.
Click to expand...

Already got a 303 from eBay, should be under 100mw (but I got my hands on about 0,5 watt laser from my brother some time ago, don't worry, I'm not jumping from 100mw to 1 watt), this was the reason why I want to buy a stronger one (I guess I was watching too much styropyro). I've seen too many high prices so I thought I wasn't looking at the right places, but now I understand that they're really expensive
 
And I wanted to ask a few things

1. What does ditto mean? You've said it here about 2 times

2. Is there any difference between using 2 16340 and 1 18650 batteries? I've seen a review for a laser from jetlasers ( https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/jetlasers-pl-e-mini-520nm-1w-review-warning-pic-heavy.100505/ ) and it had photos with both the 2 smaller and 1 normal battery. With the 2 smaller ones the laser was really stronger, I think I could say almost 2 times stronger. So is it better to have 16340 batteries instead of 18650? (just power, I know that the 18650 will have greater capacity)

3. Which wavelength of green should I buy? The 535nm is basic, but I've seen lasers with 520nm and 525nm and there was like 40 dollars difference for the same power output. So I was just wondering which one of those 3 is best to look for?
 
Captain Bagrov said:
And I wanted to ask a few things

1. What does ditto mean? You've said it here about 2 times

2. Is there any difference between using 2 16340 and 1 18650 batteries? I've seen a review for a laser from jetlasers ( https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/jetlasers-pl-e-mini-520nm-1w-review-warning-pic-heavy.100505/ ) and it had photos with both the 2 smaller and 1 normal battery. With the 2 smaller ones the laser was really stronger, I think I could say almost 2 times stronger. So is it better to have 16340 batteries instead of 18650? (just power, I know that the 18650 will have greater capacity)

3. Which wavelength of green should I buy? The 535nm is basic, but I've seen lasers with 520nm and 525nm and there was like 40 dollars difference for the same power output. So I was just wondering which one of those 3 is best to look for?
Click to expand...

Basic English language--Ditto is defined as something you say to show you are in agreement or to signify that something you already said can be said again. An example of ditto is what you would say when someone says "I like pie," if you also like pie.

Depends upon if the laser takes 2 batteries and the driver runs on 7.4 volt or it takes 1 battery and the driver runs on 3.7 volts. It either takes one or the other. If the laser has a 3.7 volt driver you will ruin it with 2 batteries at 7.4 volts---follow what the manufacturer says it takes. You can not increase the output by adding additional batteries. You will have longer run time with 18650 or 26650 ---higher mAH.
16340 batteries are relatively low mAh batteries

There is no best green laser ---best is whatever you want ---they all have different characteristics. the best beam quality is a DPSS 532nm---520 and 525nm are direct diode and less temperamental/sensitive to temperature

Goggle or search on LPF some of this very basic stuff---would be a good idea.
 
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I see no problem with starting out with a lower quality Thor type laser. You might have to get a couple 16340 battery's.
Only issue is the weakest output will be 1W minimum.
Captain Bagrov, go to the top of this page and link on to the "Laser Pointer Store" that's in blue letters.
They have different models and strength's in a blue 445nm laser..

Just want to add, I understand you want a 1W or less at around 700mW for saftey but that "700mW" isn't going to happen unless you have a custom made one with the driver set at putting out that output.
These mass produced units use a standard set generic type driver.
 
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GSS said:
I see no problem with starting out with a lower quality Thor type laser. You might have to get a couple 16340 battery's.
Only issue is the weakest output will be 1W minimum.
Captain Bagrov, go to the top of this page and link on to the "Laser Pointer Store" that's in blue letters.
They have different models and strength's in a blue 445nm laser..
Click to expand...

Agree however good laser goggles are a must along with the cost of same.
 
^^^^^^Yup^^^^^^
Seems LPS has a Thor for $50 and for $40 "Survival Lasers" has Eagle safety glasses for a total of $90..
Save some money for a few more weeks and your eye safety needs are done;) Other than top notch protection these glasses have way better visability over to what i'm guessing the cheap red lensed pair you might have for funner burning:)
 
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