New at the hobby. A good laser to start?

[GamerBR]

PM me if there is any questions and you want it answered in portuguese,but VillageIdiot said almost everything I could imagine.

 

[Chicxulub]

Yeah, mess around with DX lasers first. They are usually ok quality and are very cheap. (there are dodgy DX lasers however so ask first)

In general, stay away from Kaidomain lasers. Definitely stay away from WarnLaser, Big Laser, ZoneStealth and Spymodex. WickedLasers is ok quality but grossly overpriced.

If you really get into it, you should buy an X-series laser from NovaLasers (they are excellent quality and will always be more powerful than listed, people have bought X75's that averaged 90mW and peaked at 100) and/or start making your own blu-rays and reds. If you're not into the DIY thing, lots of us sell our own quality DIYs on the Buy, Sell, Trade section for decent prices. eg. JayRob's open-can 300mW reds, Igor's 100mW+ blu-rays, both about $200...

Your 'staple' colours are green, red, and blu-ray. You can move up to blue, yellow, or infrared. (Blue and yellow are expensive, infrared is cheap, powerful but very dangerous)

Some of us have bought gas lasers such as HeNe's (helium-neon lasers, low-powered but come in different colours and have excellent beam specs) Argons (big units that can pump out blue, cyan and green) and CO2's (huge beasts pumping out multiple watts of burning infrared)
HeNe and yellow HeNe
Argon and King of Argons
CO2

Some of us have ventured into optics, spirographs and scanners. (andy_con, Kenom, rog8811)
Kenom's awesome blu-ray spirograph
Zom-B making yellow from green and red
Niko's KISS principle spirograph
Andy_con's 1000mW RGB scanner to music
Some sort of witchcraft enabling roggy to make a yellow pointer (my money's on he sold his soul)
Smidsy's invincible laser, lol


So yeah, there's a basic idea of where you can go with this hobby, lol.

Don't spend a lot of money until you decide you're really into it.

I have all of the colors you can get with a laser pointer. You can see them here. Keep in mind though, that those lasers represent about a $1400 investment, and the 5mw green is the brightest. My wife was ok with it when I told her I was going to move away from cars towards lasers for a hobby, then one day I wanted a (then) $700 blue laser. I ended up getting (what was at the time) a killer deal of $550 on it, but she realized then that this was nearly as bad as basic car stuff.

But, if you truly love this stuff, it's worth it. I've been doing it for fourteen years now, and have no regrets.

 

[VillageIdiot]

Ever noticed how sometimes my posts are really short, then I go BOOM HUGE POST LOTSA INFORMASHUN?

 

[el-taco]

Ever noticed how sometimes my posts are really short, then I go BOOM HUGE POST LOTSA INFORMASHUN?

Yes. I did actually notice that to be honest. Some may think you are bi polar

Also, I think you noticed too.

99% lulz, 1%
substance

Oh and I also know you noticed from your post.

/confusion

 

[GooeyGus]

Something like this should suit your needs... I cant remember the sku number on DX though...

Its great for playing with the cat, presentations, or star pointing.

 

[Murudai]

Something like this should suit your needs... I cant remember the sku number on DX though...

REMEMBER IT!!!!

I WANT