Looking for a disk, circle or ring laser pointer

[chrono10]

Searching for laser pointers on the web i came across this site. I am not even sure if its possiable so i decided to post and ask the experts.

Anyway what i am looking for is a hand held pointer that would project a ring, or even a small disk. So a solid circle or just the perimeter. i have been looking for a while and i cant seem to find one is there such a thing?
:can:

 

[ndrew2505]

yeah just use a diffraction grating. the cheap 5mw reds from your local dollar store might have one.

 

[chrono10]

Thanks sounds easy enough

I guess my other need would be that the laser point is only going to be used from 1 ft - 2 ft distance and i would need atleast a 2 inch - 10 inch ring in that distance. Obviously it will expand and shrink depending on distance but i assume most pointers are ment to be used from 10-20 feet away.

Either way im still looking on websites i havent found exactlly what i want yet.

 

[bobhaha]

omg easy! get a small mirror, attach it to a small motor and point the laser at it! its called a spirograph!

you can see how to make one here! YouTube - Laser Kaleidoscope - Featured on MAKE (this one uses 2 motors to make patterns)

you can see another one here http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/green-beam-shots-new-kind-spirograph-42151.html

or my personal favorite! http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/moar-inspiration-33293.html

hope that helped! -Adrian

 

[Krutz]

well, much easier for the solid disk:
un-focus your laser! depends on what laser it is, of course. alternatively, you can mount a long-focus-length (="weak") lens in front of your laser, enlarging the dot.
but yes, i would get a 1$ pointer with dozens of useless pattern-heads ;-)

a circle will be much more visible than a solid disk, obviously!

manuel

 

[Mohrenberg]

...you could unfocus a laser and then put something on the center of the lens to block the light, so you only get a ring instead of a dot.

 

[Things]

...you could unfocus a laser and then put something on the center of the lens to block the light, so you only get a ring instead of a dot.

You still loose power that way, not like a diffraction grating or mirror/motor.