High Powered Laser, what to buy

[Jimster480]

I recently renewed my obsession with lasers from when i was younger and I got a ebay 5mw greenie which is working fine. But i want more i want a green laser that is way brighter and possibly to burn things. I already ordered a 200mw red from DX after reading reviews on here and im waiting for it to come. I don't want to spend a ton of $ on my laser but I dont want it to suck either. I have been trying to figure out where i can get the best laser for the best price. I was considering getting the DX true 50 but many people are now saying that they are mode hopping after less than a day and that basically makes it useless. I also see that many of tem dont have IR filters, how much of a problem is this and is there a way i can obtain or build a IR filter for it. I was also wondering how much of the advertised MW is actually green and how much is IR. I really cant make up my mind as to what to get. So i decided to ask since you guys seem to collectively know everything about lasers in general which do you think i should go for? KD,DX somebody else?
Also i was wondering if/where i can get a lense for the laser because I have read that you can burn and cut things with lower power lasers using a lense (im assuming because it focuses it,concentrating the power).
I was also looking into getting some kind of meter to measure the power of lasers, around how much do these usually run and who has the best ones.
Thanks in Advance, ill be waiting on your replys.

 

[Razako]

First read this FAQ for laser noobs.
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1206733764

Most of the dx lasers above 50 have significant IR leakage and aren't safe to use for burning without IR/green blocking glasses which cost a lot. You can easily make a lens to help a true 50 burn. Just shine it through a magnifying glass and focus the point on what you want to burn.

If you don't mind spending a bit more money you can save up and buy a nova X-series. They are much more stable than the dx penlasers and they do have a good IR filter.

 

[Jimster480]

i actually read that i just still coudnt make up my mind :/
I was going to build my own but where can i get green diodes that wont break the bank.
ive got $ i just dont wanna spent it all on lasers lol
what is the site for optronics i found one but im not sure if its the right site.

 

[FireMyLaser]

Sorry, there is no such thing as a green laser diode that you can buy yet. You're stuck with DIY reds.

 

[Jimster480]

alright, well i guess ill stay with the DX 200 red when it comes. Maybe i will build some others, i was going to build green but as you said you cant really buy them (DX only sells 5mw).

 

[Amnizu]

Check out the following:

http://www.optotronics.com
http://www.laserglow.com
http://www.novalasers.com

They are widely held to be the best, most reliable companies with the best products and customer service. If you're looking for a very reliable laser to start off with, I suggest an X-series from Novalasers. They're pretty cheap (not cheap on the order of DealExtreme or eBay, but cheap as far as lasers go) and Nova will ensure you get a laser that not only performs at its rating, but above it, usually by a significant margin. If you experience any issues with it, they will be happy to replace or repair it for you with virtually no hassle at all.