Hey Everyone

[Jimmyp]

Hello,

I just stumbled upon the forum here last week. I've been lurking and reading for a few days, and I figured it's time to make a profile. The first encounter I had with lasers was about 15 years ago when I was in middle school, and I took an engineering summer class for young kids. I owned many red laser pointers after that, but never anything too serious. I love math and science, and I'm looking forward to learning more about different lasers, and there attributes and qualities. I must say, I ws a bit naive about the neccessity of eye protection. Fortunately after reading for a few days, the importance of googles for myself and others around me has been ingrained well...thx all :yh:
I'm looking to start out with a 532nm..probably something around 200mW. Once I become a little more familiar here, I'd like to find a good 1W 445nm. I actually just stumbled across a forum member making the 445's for other members, and I'm interested in looking more into this option. Hope you're all havin a great day!
- Jim

 

[Jimmyp]

Shiiit, no one likes me here :undecided: Didn't even get a damn hello

I ordered a 200mw 532nm yesterday, it ended up being pretty cheap ($60). I was looking at O-like products and Rayfoss. I'm too impatient to wait for something from China at the moment, so I ordered from a US website that said delivery would be within a week. I realize I may have compromised some quality, but this will be a test las before I can do more research for a quality product. I'd like to pick up a Laser power meter to do some testing when the product arrives...can I get a recommendation for a cost effective meter? ..I really don't wanna drop much more than $50-75, is there anything that works in that range? Thx for any help boyz.
Jim

 

[udanis]

Shiiit, no one likes me here :undecided: Didn't even get a damn hello

I ordered a 200mw 532nm yesterday, it ended up being pretty cheap ($60). I was looking at O-like products and Rayfoss. I'm too impatient to wait for something from China at the moment, so I ordered from a US website that said delivery would be within a week. I realize I may have compromised some quality, but this will be a test las before I can do more research for a quality product. I'd like to pick up a Laser power meter to do some testing when the product arrives...can I get a recommendation for a cost effective meter? ..I really don't wanna drop much more than $50-75, is there anything that works in that range? Thx for any help boyz.
Jim

What site did you order from?

 

[anselm]

Didn't even get a damn hello
....
I'd like to pick up a Laser power meter to do some testing when the product arrives...can I get a recommendation for a cost effective meter? ..I really don't wanna drop much more than $50-75, is there anything that works in that range?

Sorry about that, here you go: Hello and welcome to LPF!
Be safe, read the stickies, happy lasering.

60-70$ is NOT going to be true and stable 200mW.

As for the power meter, the cheapest one availabe IIRC is the
Radiant Alpha made by member MarioMaster, he wants 99$ for it.
But they're always out of stock. Gotta be patient.

 

[Jimmyp]

What site did you order from?

I ordered from Amazon. Here's the item I ordered. Amazon.com: Ultra Power 200mW Green Laser Pointer with LED Torch Light: Everything Else

For some reason, it's listed at over $100 now, but I purchased it at 55+tax. I realize it probably won't be up to full spec, but I thought it would be atleast 100mw..not horrible for $55. I emailed the seller, and she said it'll light matches and burn random stuff. I'm not super concerned with burning, but I thought it was at least an indication it wasn't too low powered. What are your thoughts on the item? ..and what's a ballpark threshhold for burning items like matches? Thx!

 

[532 with Envy]

welcome to LPF and have good safe fun!
The O-like and Rayfoss 532nm's and other lasers are of pretty good quality and may be worth waiting a bit for.
I'm sure you'll have fun with your purchase though.
Take it apart and learn something from it:eg:

 

[Jimmyp]

Sorry about that, here you go: Hello and welcome to LPF!
Be safe, read the stickies, happy lasering.

60-70$ is NOT going to be true and stable 200mW.

As for the power meter, the cheapest one availabe IIRC is the
Radiant Alpha made by member MarioMaster, he wants 99$ for it.
But they're always out of stock. Gotta be patient.

Thanks for the welcome, and for the advice on the meter..I'll look into what he's making. Any insight on the item I purchased?

 

[Coherent Light]

Welcome to LPF.