High tier 5mW Lasers: are they worth it?

[Antonoviich]

Hi guys, after way to much lurking I finally decided to make an account and join the community!

Forgive me if this question has been asked before; i did used the search bar and nothing came up though.

Anyways, over the last couple of weeks I have been looking to buy my first laser. My main purposes will be that of recreational (mirrors, etc.) and using it to point out objects in the wilderness. Originally i had my heart set on getting a 50mW (if not higher) 532nm laser. However, that kind of energy just seems like too much and quite honestly (at this point), i wouldn't be willing to completely follow the safety rules with them, such as insuring *everyone* has goggles (i'd only have a pair for myself). I like to consider myself very responsible but i know this is not something to mess with as if its a toy, not to mention i'm a pilot so damaging my vision would be tragic for me. :yabbem:

Until I am more used to lasers and have the money to buy multiple pairs of safety goggles i decided its best to stick to under 5mW for everybody's safety including my own! Currently i am looking at the Galileo by Laser Glow and it seems very nice as i wont have to worry about IR and they're not in China! (no offense to Chinese sellers).

My question though, is it worth the 80 bucks for a 5mW laser? Or would i be better off trying my luck on eBay?

Thanks in Advanced!
-Anton :yh:

edit: Also, i am very inexperienced with forums, any constructive criticism on if i broke any of the forum rules or if there are just things i should try to avoid to do is appreciated!

 

[Zeebit]

It's pretty hard to find a true 5mW laser for cheap today especially with all the overspec cheapies from China.

For a true 5mw pointer then Laserglow is your best bet. Although I have to say that you will quickly outgrow it and you will likely look for more wavelengths and more power.

 

[Antonoviich]

It's pretty hard to find a true 5mW laser for cheap today especially with all the overspec cheapies from China.

For a true 5mw pointer then Laserglow is your best bet. Although I have to say that you will quickly outgrow it and you will likely look for more wavelengths and more power.

What do you recommend i do, then? My second option is the 532nm 50mW FLX from rayfoss. The lady even offered to equip it with an IR filter for me, but isn't 50mW a little unnecessary if you just want the beam?

Also, when it comes to damaging the eye, if you are unfortunately hit by a laser, would the damage caused by the 30 mW be significantly less than that of the 50 mW (assuming all other variables are constant)? Or are you screwed either way?

 

[Zeebit]

5mw is sufficient for a visible beam in a dark room. You can enhance it with a little smoke or fog. There is a thread here on making fog without a fog machine. Use the search bar on the bottom of the page.

As with the eye damage, it depends on the duration of exposure.

 

[NightExplorer96]

What do you recommend i do, then? My second option is the 532nm 50mW FLX from rayfoss. The lady even offered to equip it with an IR filter for me, but isn't 50mW a little unnecessary if you just want the beam?

Also, when it comes to damaging the eye, if you are unfortunately hit by a laser, would the damage caused by the 30 mW be significantly less than that of the 50 mW (assuming all other variables are constant)? Or are you screwed either way?

Hey Antonoviich

I would go with Laserglow's Gallileo. That laser will be 5mW or less guaranteed and will last you for years to come.

About the eye damage it all depends on the output power. Both will damage you're eye faster then you're blink reflex can save you, but 50mW will cause more damage over the period of time it takes you to turn your head away.

 

[Antonoviich]

Okay, thank you!

And just one last question, when people take photos or videos of their lasers and you see that beautiful beam, does that mean that if you were there in person you could see the beam? Or is it just because of the camera that the beam appears visible?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Okay, thank you!

And just one last question, when people take photos or videos of their lasers and you see that beautiful beam, does that mean that if you were there in person you could see the beam? Or is it just because of the camera that the beam appears visible?

If the camera can see the beam it's more then likely the person can see it as well

 

[CheeseHasLeafs]

A 50mw green is very bright. I speak from personal experience. And the beam is very visible in dim conditions.
To be honest, I wouldn't be using a 50mw green near mirrors, either. The chances of accidental reflection is pretty high.

Anyway, like Zeebit has said, you'll outgrow your 5mw pretty quickly. Do realise that expensive 5mw lasers are those that are actually 5mw; cheap 5mw pointers (generally those that aren't red) tend to be overspec to some extent.

What sort of conditions will you be using it in? I know you're going into the wilderness, but will you be doing it at night, in the rain, in the snow? Because all of those conditions will increase visibility of your pointer (pointers on a rainy night look amaziinggg muhahah).

If I am completely honest, I wouldn't spend that much on a 5mw pointer. If you're dead set on a 5mw pointer from a 'premium' retailer, get something like the Anser from Laserglow.

And it's not laserpointerforums approved to say this, but the Wicked Lasers Core has had some nice reviews. If you can find one on eBay go for it.

 

[hwang21]

The WL Core is nice, I will say

Do you need the click-on, click-off ability of the Galileo? The anser might be a better option if you prefer pen-style lasers. Either way you cannot go wrong buying from LaserGlow unless you're on budget :beer:

 

[ultimatekaiser]

I have a Galileo myself, and it is a top notch pointer. it is a constant on as opposed to a pen, so it has that as a nice feature as well. its really quite robust too. mine has rolled off counters a few time and fallen over on tripods and such, and has had no issues. however i'll note that the lens is acrylic, so I'd be mindful of carrying it in pockets. it can be a bit challenging to clean the lens without compressed air. laser lenses are very sensitive to scratching and dust. the thing i really like about the lg products is that they're well regulated, leaving them with fantastic battery life amongst many of the lasers i've bought, they have some of the best.

 

[NightExplorer96]

Since I see the "Galileo" has been talked about I will give my take on the Anser

It is pretty nice indeed. I mostly keep mine in the "case" provided and haven't had any issues since I purchased it almost 1 month ago.

To be truthful it all depends on which you prefer.

Pen or Clicky?

 

[Bionic-Badger]

Don't waste your money on some boutique 5mW laser pointer unless you want to use it at a special presentation. Instead, go buy a cheapo and spend the money you save on a good pair of goggles. Then if you want to show people your laser, use the goggles to ensure that the environment you're using the laser in is safe for visitors.

It's positively boring looking at laser beams (not in laser beams) with goggles on. You can't see anything but the dot. The goggles are there to protect you during experiments and ensuring that your demonstration is safe for the audience. You don't need to give everyone a pair if they're not participating. Once you have everything set up, escort your audience into the room and show them what is going on.

If you really want to supply your audience with goggles, get some cheapo red laser enhancement goggles. They protect eyes from green almost too well -- i.e. you can hardly even see the green at all.

 

[kilter]

You could go for the Anser or the SOL.

 

[mortuus]

what about the 5mW WL used to sell? they no longer have this i see. and where do u find a 5mW for 80bucks thats just crazy overspec or not...

 

[hwang21]

LaserGlow^ not overspec at all, just ridiculous attention to detail

WL still sells the Core, it is a pretty good product. It has not been discontinued: Core Series - 5mW Green Laser Pointer | Wicked Lasers LG offers the Anser for a lower price than the Core though

 

[bata]

I had a friend who owned the Galileo and took it when we went on a weekend camping trip on a mountain and I must say it was very nice for a 5mw. Probably the best I have come in touch with at that power ( I have had a WL core). If you want something that will last go with the Galileo. Comes in a nice case as well