is this a good laser to get, in your opinion?

[littlej]

(Im looking for sheer burning power, nothing else:eg:
LZGN - 808nm 2W Focusable NIR Infra Red Laser Pointer :thanks:

 

[00Giorge]

You do not want an IR laser, they are dangerous.
You would do better with a 445 nm laser and a hell of a lot safer and don't forget glasses.
You should introduce yourself in the welcome section.

 

[aryntha]

LittleJ, while that will burn, it's barely visible. It'll show up as a dim red glow, and appear much dimmer than it really is. (Out of our vision limits). Because of that, it's a lot more dangerous..

Because your irises dont adjust to anything but 'apparent' brightness, even with an incident reflection, you won't notice it and it'll do more damage than an equally powered visible laser. As Giorge suggested, you can get a similarly powered 445nm blue laser for a similar price, and you'd probably like it better.

 

[00Giorge]

Correct me if I am wrong but it seems that I read that a 445 nm will burn better than an 808 nm of the same power.

An IR laser scares the hell out of me since I can't see the beam. At least with a colored laser you can at least see the beam, with an IR if you catch a reflected beam you wouldn't even know it until it is too late. Me I like to see the beam, I guess that makes me a beamer (not like the car).

 

[weeba2kv]

If you catch a reflected beam of a 1 watt 445 laser you will be just as blind as from a 808 nm