No problem, I personally think you shouldn't start HUGE like that. Even with my 80mw 520nm it is still dangerous. Starting with 1w is exetreme. Just one reflection into your safety glasses from ebay could give you eye damage. Get these if you are doing 1w
Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles
If you don't want to do 1w than here are some of my suggestions.
15mw green. Over-spec (around 25mw-37mw) and really bright.
Green Laser Pointers : Dragon Lasers
Laser Glow 5mw "Anser" bright but not enough for burning tricks.
Laserglow Technologies
Take a look around dragon lasers and tell us what you think you're going to do.:thanks:
Thank you very much for the suggestions, especially the safety glasses. I was looking at several threads, and found varying, slightly confusing info concerning the standard 'cheapies' vs. more specific. I have a pair of cheapies on the way, but will be purchasing the "Eagle Pair®" you linked for me. BTW, any chance someone has a 'Discount Code'? Never hurts to ask...
Also, I do understand about starting huge, and safety issues. I admit to not being a knowledgeable laser junky just yet, but am well versed on all manners of personal safety in regards to them. As mentioned, I have been around lasers since the 90's with firearms and in my manufacturing (past life as it went away) career. I have had at least 3 red lasers (670, 650, 635nm) with mounts for both pistols and rifles. I have used them extensively through the years, (fiddling for fun mostly) but the last couple years they have been mounted on a couple different weapons, but that's it. Only a couple guns left, and a couple red lasers.
I am also a trained and certified firearms range officer, so safety with anything you could 'accidentally or negligently' point at yourself or others, including lasers, I take very seriously. So yeah, no real experience with powerful lasers, but handled and shot more low and high powered pistols and rifles in 40 years than I can remember, but just know I have.. After a while it all blurs... lol
Lastly, I am also a bit of a flashaholic and have about a dozen or so nicer flash/tacticool lights topping out at 1150 lumens. Again I know this does not make me a qualified high power laser handler, but just explaining I not a noob to other 'safety hazards' that can do a lot more than blind you..
I'll definitely learn from you guys, and be careful, but I have to have at least one 'huge' one, just because I have to. I have to admit, I'm nervous about it, but that's a good thing for my being cautious and double checking everything before and during any use.
Never point at anything you don't intend to shoot, burn or destroy at all!