Ok , pretend i know nothing

[Somedude]

Hi guys, new here and since im part of a few online hvac forums and know you get this alot, first , thanks for your replys.

I want a lazer, for some reason i want a green one, i have no idea what i can and cannot do with one or which one i should buy, any advise would be appreciated.

 

[ARG]

If this is your first laser, just pick up a cheap 5mW laser off of ebay. You can see the beam pretty easily, and they are relativity safe.

 

[Somedude]

If this is your first laser, just pick up a cheap 5mW laser off of ebay. You can see the beam pretty easily, and they are relativity safe.

Well, the problem iss, im one of those spend my money one time guys.
I have already thought of a few uses for my trade im just wondering what i should get as far as quality etc. I would like to go as big as my budget will alllow, however after reading here i see that things arent always what they are advertised.
Any brand or size , if you could pick one, what would it be?

Im leaning towards the 300w right now.

 

[RA_pierce]

What are you looking for in a laser?
It would be much easier to help you decide on what is best if you could give us an idea of what you wish to use it for.

If you want to "go big or go home" and good quality and customer support, I would recommend these companies:

Laserglow.com
Novalasers.com
Optotronics.com

These are the "high end" options and the price reflects that but you are guaranteed to get what you paid for.

 

[Somedude]

1000mW 532nm High-power Green Laser Pointer with free Protective Glasses at Laserpointerpro.com

 

[Somedude]

What are you looking for in a laser?
It would be much easier to help you decide on what is best if you could give us an idea of what you wish to use it for.

I have no idea,i just dont want to buy one that wont do what i will eventually want it to do, is bigger better?
I may very well use it to heat things from time to time

 

[RA_pierce]

I have no idea,i just dont want to buy one that wont do what i will eventually want it to do, is bigger better?
I may very well use it to heat things from time to time

It sounds to me that you just want something cool to play with. Fair enough, since I think that is generally what we are all here for.

May I ask what your budget is?

If you are willing to spend around $200 I would recommend this: 400mW green laser torch /focusable/waterproof [OL-532-350] - $214.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
I owned one before and it turned out ok. The peak power was over 400mW and averaged at least 375mW. It was not the best laser I've ever owned but it was worth the money. Keep in mind that you may get a decent one but you also might end up with a dud. This laser will probably be relatively unstable but if you have never seen a >100mW green laser before it is sure to impress.

If you want something more compact, I would recommend one of Dragonlasers' pens: Green Laser Pointer ----- 532nm Laser ----- Viper Series Lasers :: Handheld Lasers :: Dragon Lasers

These are "high quality" laser pointers that are guaranteed to output their rated power (likely more). I have never dealt with Dragonlasers before but they used to be a very popular and reputable company.

If your budget is a bit bigger, try looking at the three companies I listed above. You can't go wrong there. Also, you want your laser to be IR filtered. If a laser is not IR filtered, some infrared light will be present in the green beam which means the advertised power rating may not accurately describe the green output. Some companies that sell IR filtered lasers are the three I listed above (Novalasers, Laserglow, Optotronics) as well as Dragonlasers.

When it comes to green lasers, 50mW is bright and has minimal burning abilities. 100-150mW is very bright and will be able to light matches and all that stuff. 200mW or more is extremely bright and will be able to do the basic burning tricks more reliably.

Bigger is not necessarily "better." That depends on whether or not you value being able to put your laser in a pocket and carry it with you whenever you want.

Also, stay away from anything advertised as "1000mW." Green lasers are currently limited to around 500mW in portable lasers. Anything that claims more is likely a rip-off.

 

[Somedude]

It sounds to me that you just want something cool to play with. Fair enough, since I think that is generally what we are all here for.

May I ask what your budget is?

If you are willing to spend around $200 I would recommend this: 400mW green laser torch /focusable/waterproof [OL-532-350] - $214.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products
I owned one before and it turned out ok. The peak power was over 400mW and averaged at least 375mW. It was not the best laser I've ever owned but it was worth the money. Keep in mind that you may get a decent one but you also might end up with a dud. This laser will probably be relatively unstable but if you have never seen a >100mW green laser before it is sure to impress.

If you want something more compact, I would recommend one of Dragonlasers' pens: Green Laser Pointer ----- 532nm Laser ----- Viper Series Lasers :: Handheld Lasers :: Dragon Lasers

These are "high quality" laser pointers that are guaranteed to output their rated power (likely more). I have never dealt with Dragonlasers before but they used to be a very popular and reputable company.

If your budget is a bit bigger, try looking at the three companies I listed above. You can't go wrong there. Also, you want your laser to be IR filtered. If a laser is not IR filtered, some infrared light will be present in the green beam which means the advertised power rating may not accurately describe the green output. Some companies that sell IR filtered lasers are the three I listed above (Novalasers, Laserglow, Optotronics) as well as Dragonlasers.

When it comes to green lasers, 50mW is bright and has minimal burning abilities. 100-150mW is very bright and will be able to light matches and all that stuff. 200mW or more is extremely bright and will be able to do the basic burning tricks more reliably.

Bigger is not necessarily "better." That depends on whether or not you value being able to put your laser in a pocket and carry it with you whenever you want.

Also, stay away from anything advertised as "1000mW." Green lasers are currently limited to around 500mW in portable lasers. Anything that claims more is likely a rip-off.

Excelent, thank you very much. I will pick out something today and let you know what i get and once it does arrive how well it works, much appreciated.

 

[JohnTheRipper]

Excelent, thank you very much. I will pick out something today and let you know what i get and once it does arrive how well it works, much appreciated.

You should also read up on safety (VERY important!!), and make sure to get at least 1 pair of 532nm goggles (assuming you choose a IR filtered greenie).

And remember, anything over 5mw can destroy human or animal eyes if not used with caution, so PLEASE read up on safety and don't shine it anywhere near mirrors or eyes!

 

[Helios]

If you have a decent budget get in one a CNI or JETLASERS group buy here in the group buy section of the forum. You will get top quality, great customer service (through a member here), AND best of all your laser will often be OVERSPEC as in some people order a 200mW and it will peak at 300mW or even 400mW.

 

[blue bumblebee]

Excelent, thank you very much. I will pick out something today and let you know what i get and once it does arrive how well it works, much appreciated.

and before you go out and buy the laser, you should post a link here and we can give you feedback such as, company, price, laser review, ect

 

[Somedude]

Thanks for all the advise fellas, i got this one,400mW green laser torch /focusable/waterproof [OL-532-350] - $214.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products i will be reading up on the safty info today, thanks again.

 

[hakzaw1]

It still may be a good idea to get a 10$ green pointer-its not like spending that $10 is going to keep you from getting a better one later. We have a BST board and that is where I start when looking- why buy from a stranger of China company.
Also two good sources not mentioned is AixiZ lasers (houston) and Jetlasers(has an ad here at LPF)

try the serch button --there is a lot there about your questions and concerns....

 

[Cad602]

Thanks for all the advise fellas, i got this one,400mW green laser torch /focusable/waterproof [OL-532-350] - $214.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products i will be reading up on the safty info today, thanks again.

Nice choice, Olike took three weeks to get my 200mw laser to me(in MD USA), so don't be too worried when you can't get much out of the tracking info.
Also, Maybe take hakzaw1's advice and get a cheapie especially if you plan to use it around animals or when you're without glasses because green is *very* bright to our eyes and that high power one you ordered right there will hurt you just to look at the 'dot' on a wall (without glasses). Anyway, good luck and have fun!

cas602

 

[Somedude]

Nice choice, Olike took three weeks to get my 200mw laser to me(in MD USA), so don't be too worried when you can't get much out of the tracking info.
Also, Maybe take hakzaw1's advice and get a cheapie especially if you plan to use it around animals or when you're without glasses because green is *very* bright to our eyes and that high power one you ordered right there will hurt you just to look at the 'dot' on a wall (without glasses). Anyway, good luck and have fun!

cas602

Excelent, im still trying to think of uses for my industry, h.v.a.c. Im sure i will find something to use it on.
I hate buying things without any research and this site has helped me alot, thanks again.

 

[Somedude]

Also any reccomendations for safty glasses, i noticed they are divided into different freq, what will i need to be safe with this one?