Hello Everyone, I'm going to build/buy a laser

[Snail Zapper]

Hi Everyone,

First thanks to all the people who compiled threads and information on why not to buy from Wicked Lasers. I was moments from buying from them until I read all your reviews.

I'm interested in acquiring a laser to be used for Astronomy purposes as I live on a small mountain and... to burn snails. Which I know seems like an egregious waste of money but I do have my reasons.


I was glad to discover the various wavelengths available - I had never considered getting a violet laser, and now I have my heart set one.

I had also simply thought that higher wattage means more snail death ( burning power ) but I now understand that's not the case... I need to be able to focus the laser ...and that I need to pay attention to Duty Cycle if I want to fry multiple snails.

I want to find something hand held that allows me to zap as many snails as possible before needing a resting period and be able to point out multiple constellations in the sky.

Slowly but surely I will be around asking questions and probably will ask a terribly simply question or two please take pity on my ignorance and point me in the right direction.

As always any help/ feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[AlexStyl]

Welcome to LPF Snail Zapper. You will find a lot of information in here to buy the best laser for you. Poor snails
Safety is ALWAYS first
~Alex

 

[lasersbee]

to the Forum Snail Zapper....

Don't forget to read the FAQs...the Stickies
and the Forum Rules..
http://laserpointerforums.com/tou.htm

If you plan on buying anything on the Forum....
PLEASE read this first...

6 Steps To Prevent You From Getting Scammed.

If you do get a Laser or already have one be sure
to get appropriate Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses...

Get Some Safety Goggles Now!


Enjoy your stay...


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

 

[norbyx]

Welcome to the forum. Be safe with lasers, and have a nice time here>..

 

[IsaacT]

Welcome to the forum! Animal cruelty is not exactly encouraged but you are of course entitled to do whatever you like. Be sure to read the stickies and fill out your profile with location, etc.

 

[TheDukeAnumber1]

Poor snails, I actually keep some of the aquatic types and they are pretty awesome. Are the ones you're zapping eating your garden or something?

 

[Pi R Squared]

Perhaps he will be eating the snails, I have had them several times and they are delicious, although am not sure about cooking them with a laser, I would recommend an oven.

In any case welcome Snail Zapper. For Astronomy purposes try a green 532nm, even a low power one will work. For killing/roasting escargot I think you need a high power blue 445nm. I am guessing at least 1 1/2 W but probably 2 to 3 W would work better, get one in the largest host and heat sink possible or the duty cycle will be too short to zap many snails. Best of luck.

Alan

 

[Shakenawake]

the best power to price ratio is to be had in the 445nm lasers, and while these can be used to point at stars, they can have bad divergence, particularly with a g2 lens on, which is what a high powered burning laser should have. the violet lasers you have your heart set on can be good burners, and have good divergence, but their beams can be very hard for the human eye to perceive, making them unsuitable for astronomy.

I recommend the member known here as Blord for most everyone's custom laser needs. check the Buy sell trade section too, there are frequently good deals to be had there, a 3.5W blue focus-able laser was just sold for around $250 there, a very good deal that I'd have jumped on if I didn't already have one in the works

 

[Snail Zapper]

Welcome to LPF Snail Zapper. You will find a lot of information in here to buy the best laser for you. Poor snails
Safety is ALWAYS first
~Alex

Thank you, one of the factors that induced my nm decision was the abundance of safety goggles.

to the Forum Snail Zapper....

Don't forget to read the FAQs...the Stickies
and the Forum Rules..
http://laserpointerforums.com/tou.htm

If you plan on buying anything on the Forum....
PLEASE read this first...

6 Steps To Prevent You From Getting Scammed.

If you do get a Laser or already have one be sure
to get appropriate Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses...

Get Some Safety Goggles Now!


Enjoy your stay...


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Thanks for the tip - reading through it now.

Welcome to the forum. Be safe with lasers, and have a nice time here>..

Thank you.

Welcome to the forum! Animal cruelty is not exactly encouraged but you are of course entitled to do whatever you like. Be sure to read the stickies and fill out your profile with location, etc.

Thank you, please note though that if a snail were to ever acquire a laser pointer of sufficient power it wouldn't think twice of zapping you.

Poor snails, I actually keep some of the aquatic types and they are pretty awesome. Are the ones you're zapping eating your garden or something?

They are demolishing it, and I have tried everything from diatomaceous earth, to decollate snails .

Perhaps he will be eating the snails, I have had them several times and they are delicious, although am not sure about cooking them with a laser, I would recommend an oven.

In any case welcome Snail Zapper. For Astronomy purposes try a green 532nm, even a low power one will work. For killing/roasting escargot I think you need a high power blue 445nm. I am guessing at least 1 1/2 W but probably 2 to 3 W would work better, get one in the largest host and heat sink possible or the duty cycle will be too short to zap many snails. Best of luck.

Alan

That is an interesting suggestion to turn a problem into profit.

In regards to your suggestions thank you - and I noticed you chose the most visible spectrum for Astronomy. I'm confused - well not confused as much as I am unaware as to why blue would make a better "zapper". I understand Duty Cycle ( the amount of time allowed to zap) and heat sink ( how long you can zap without frying the device) play a direct correlation in regards to "zappability" , and of course wattage determines overall " power " which in this sense I would guess to be measured by heat ( though I'd imagine a well focused beam with less wattage would provide similar results.

Other than that was there a specific reason you elected to recommend blue?

the best power to price ratio is to be had in the 445nm lasers, and while these can be used to point at stars, they can have bad divergence, particularly with a g2 lens on, which is what a high powered burning laser should have. the violet lasers you have your heart set on can be good burners, and have good divergence, but their beams can be very hard for the human eye to perceive, making them unsuitable for astronomy.

I recommend the member known here as Blord for most everyone's custom laser needs. check the Buy sell trade section too, there are frequently good deals to be had there, a 3.5W blue focus-able laser was just sold for around $250 there, a very good deal that I'd have jumped on if I didn't already have one in the works

Thank you very much and yes aside from ease of acquiring safety equipment it seems to be the best ..bang for your buck... I guess one would say.

Also, its really quite beautiful and I don't believe 590~nm is available with these functions.

Again thanks I'll find this Blord person out.

 

[Pi R Squared]

That is an interesting suggestion to turn a problem into profit.

In regards to your suggestions thank you - and I noticed you chose the most visible spectrum for Astronomy. I'm confused - well not confused as much as I am unaware as to why blue would make a better "zapper". I understand Duty Cycle ( the amount of time allowed to zap) and heat sink ( how long you can zap without frying the device) play a direct correlation in regards to "zappability" , and of course wattage determines overall " power " which in this sense I would guess to be measured by heat ( though I'd imagine a well focused beam with less wattage would provide similar results.

Other than that was there a specific reason you elected to recommend blue?

Well it may not be the only choice but its by far the practical choice. I think you need something powerful like 2w to 3w but I could be wrong. Some other members who have snails in their area should run some tests, I have never zapped a snail yet and we seldom have any in this area. You can get a good blue for maybe $200-$300, another color will be less powerful and more expensive, maybe a 700 or 800mw 405nm might kill a snail, a powerful enough 532nm would likely run over $1000.

The blue will be too bright for star pointing, most people use a low power 532nm for that. The beam may be invisible in the daylight but is easily visible at night. I would also use caution when and where you shine a powerful blue laser in the sky, it will be very visible many miles away.

Let us know when you have a laser that kills snails and how well it works. Maybe photos or a short video would be nice. Good luck.

Alan

 

[Snail Zapper]

Well it may not be the only choice but its by far the practical choice. I think you need something powerful like 2w to 3w but I could be wrong. Some other members who have snails in their area should run some tests, I have never zapped a snail yet and we seldom have any in this area. You can get a good blue for maybe $200-$300, another color will be less powerful and more expensive, maybe a 700 or 800mw 405nm might kill a snail, a powerful enough 532nm would likely run over $1000.

I would be overjoyed if member ran tests - as I really do prize function over form.

The blue will be too bright for star pointing, most people use a low power 532nm for that. The beam may be invisible in the daylight but is easily visible at night. I would also use caution when and where you shine a powerful blue laser in the sky, it will be very visible many miles away.

Let us know when you have a laser that kills snails and how well it works. Maybe photos or a short video would be nice. Good luck.

Alan

I had never considered the idea that something would be too bright for star pointing - but it make sense. I'll definitely keep this thread updated. Thanks again for all your responses, suggestions and help! If you come across anything at all just please update this thread - I would greatly appreciate it. :thanks: