Laser for Astronomy (100mW or 150mW)

[Blord]

As for the plug use this convertor, Flat to Round Power Plug Convertor - Free Shipping - DealExtreme. They convert US plug to EU plug.

As for the laser I build most laser myself. There are shops which sell green laser. You can look at this, http://www.yourlasers.com/product/s...-pen-pointer-with-battery-set-(1*18650)-50151
Everything you need for half of your budget.

 

[lajoswinkler]

I thought they'd be more expensive, guess I was wrong.

Yeah, I saw all those lasers at yourlasers.com, but somehow I think they sell false powers. Why is lazerer.com more expensive? There has to be a reason.

I'd really hate to spend time and money on something that will be equally bright as the pen laser I own, or just a bit brighter. I know all about the disappointment with more miliwatts that aren't really there. Happened to me twice, don't want it to happen again.

I see that lazerer.com offers an upgrade for $5 (battery+charger) which is cheaper than buying the laser and its equipment separately.
But I don't understand why are there so many different kinds of those robust black anodized aluminum lasers of the same power. I don't really see a significant difference, which makes me think somebody's trying to make a fool out of customers by "dilluting" the good stock with crappy lasers to save money.
I doubt anyone would sell lots of different lasers just for the sake of their variable beauty, and minor differences like security methods don't explain it either. :thinking:

As for me, a proper laser od true >50 mW of power must have:
- a shutter, for lens protection, because no one wants to pay cold cash to get something that will collect dust and require swabing the lens which are frankly never supposed to be touched
- focusing mechanism
- key lock system; not a clicky rubber button which can be accidentally turned on, but a real lock


Can more of you share your experience on this matter?

 

[L0nghair0o0]

I thought they'd be more expensive, guess I was wrong.

Yeah, I saw all those lasers at yourlasers.com, but somehow I think they sell false powers. Why is lazerer.com more expensive? There has to be a reason.

afaik, a lot of the price differences between lasers of the same power can come from the housing itself, aka the host. Another difference is that Lazerer guarantees their lasers to be overspec, or higher power than stated, whereas most cheap sellers will be sort of a gamble with power, especially with greens. I would definitely say buy from lazerer if you want to be sure of the power.

Also to answer your question about locks and shutters, I know that high end laserglow lasers have the locks, but these lasers are VERY pricey. As for shutters, I wouldn't worry too much about the dust on the lens, just get some compressed air if you feel the need to clean it.

 

[Ghostchrome]

As for me, a proper laser od true >50 mW of power must have:
- a shutter, for lens protection, because no one wants to pay cold cash to get something that will collect dust and require swabing the lens which are frankly never supposed to be touched
- focusing mechanism
- key lock system; not a clicky rubber button which can be accidentally turned on, but a real lock


Can more of you share your experience on this matter?

Here you go, dude. 50mW, shutter, and a lock. $43 bucks.

http://lazerer.com/Green_Laser_Pointer/LAZERER_LZBH532-50_532nm_50mW_Focusable_Green_Laser_Pointer

There is also a 30mW version:

http://lazerer.com/Green_Laser_Pointer/LAZERER_LZBH532-30_532nm_30mW_Focusable_Green_Laser_Pointer

 

[lajoswinkler]

afaik, a lot of the price differences between lasers of the same power can come from the housing itself, aka the host. Another difference is that Lazerer guarantees their lasers to be overspec, or higher power than stated, whereas most cheap sellers will be sort of a gamble with power, especially with greens. I would definitely say buy from lazerer if you want to be sure of the power.

Also to answer your question about locks and shutters, I know that high end laserglow lasers have the locks, but these lasers are VERY pricey. As for shutters, I wouldn't worry too much about the dust on the lens, just get some compressed air if you feel the need to clean it.

The host is almost always anodized aluminum, with very little useful variations. Usually it's about aesthetic details, something I put lowest on my priority list. Rarely, it's a useful detail like when the safety mechanism is a rotary ring like here, etc.

As for the dust, that would work if we lived in a 0% relative humidity environment. But when you use lasers in real world, especially for astronomy lectures, the laser will experience humidity and temperature differences. In the pocket (filled with various crumbs and scaled skin cells), out in the cold night, inside a warm room... Dust sticks to the lens using a thin film of condensed vapor; the droplets dissolve whatever is in the dust and upon evaporating, create a deposit impossible to remove with compressed air. Few months later, problems appear. Cotton swabs, ethanol, lens microscars.
Small piece of duct tape over the aperture is fine, but looks very bad. I'd rather give few extra bucks for a shutter.
God knows when I'm gonna buy a second one. This one will have to serve me for years and years.

Here you go, dude. 50mW, shutter, and a lock. $43 bucks.

LZBH - 532nm 50mW Focusable Green Laser Pointer

There is also a 30mW version:

LZBH - 532nm 30mW Focusable Green Laser Pointer

Thanks, mate. I saw that one, and I just hope it's considerably brighter than my current laser.
If only the 100 mW version wasn't that expensive.