Question About Getting Blue Lasers

[huggers]

Hey there,
its my first post in this Forums. I wanted to buy a blue laser via the internet but I dont really get the pricing :/

I found a 1W blue laser for around 180$-200$ but that is kinda too strong for me.
I'd be happy with a 150-200mW laser but they cost about 800-1000$.

Why are laserpointers with 1/5 of the power 5 times as expensive?

 

[anselm]

Hello and welcome to the forum!:wave:

I found a 1W blue laser for around 180$-200$ but that is kinda too strong for me.

I'm glad you feel that way.

I'd be happy with a 150-200mW laser but they cost about 800-1000$.

Mind providing a link?

Is DIY out of the question for you?
You can build yourself a blue laser with any power you like from ~50mW up to ~1500mW
for less than 200$.

 

[huggers]

Here's a example of a weaker blue laser with a extreme high price:
Blue Handheld Laser ----- 473nm Laser ----- Spartan Series Lasers :: Handheld Lasers :: Dragon Lasers
But I bet on dragonlasers I pay alot alone for their name :/

Same here with Warnlaser.com
10mW 20mW 30mW 50mW Blue Laser Pointers- Warnlaser.com


I really really like that "case" (dont know what it's called, im new into the whole laser thing ) of the Morphling Series with the key-lock and the function to switch between a weak beam for e.g. a presentation or the full power Beam but that laser seems kinda expensive and is green.
(Link: Green Laser Pointer- Warnlaser.com)
Is there a similar modell for blue or violet lasers?


What is a DIY?

 

[laserpyro]

DIY = Do it yourself
The weaker ones are a dpss system which cost more than the 500mW+ ones which are diode. They are also a different shade of blue.

 

[huggers]

Violet or blue doesnt really matter to me. Same with the shade of the color.

What do you say about the model of the Morphling Series. Is there a smiliar model with a blue/ violet beam? (With the key-lock and ability to adjust the power)

 

[RA_pierce]

It is not the "name" that you are paying for.
There is a difference in wavelength and they are different technologies.

The 1W blues that are listed as 445nm or 447nm are direct diode lasers.
The expensive lower power blues at 473nm are a lighter blue and are DPSS rather than direct diode.
This technology is less efficient but expensive to produce, hence the high price/power ratio.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both types.
If you just want a cheap blue laser, get a 445nm or build one yourself.

 

[DJNY]

As RA_pierce said, you´re looking at lasers with different technology wavelength/color.

Here is a comparison, the laser with the blue host is a 473nm laser which you saw for >$800
>>http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/somewhere-over-rainbow-60645.html#post858187<<

The other blue laser is a 445nm laser I´m selling here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs-30mw-445nm-pen-60844.html#post861159

 

[huggers]

I kinda fell in love with this one:
400mW blu-ray 405nm laser torch /adjustable/waterproof [OL-405T-400] - $102.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

Its still kinda strong though.. but I haven't found a equivalent Pointer with ~150-200mW.
What do you think of this one?

EDIT:
It says that the pointer is "adjustable" does that mean that I could adjust the power of the beam?

 

[DJNY]

I kinda fell in love with this one:
400mW blu-ray 405nm laser torch /adjustable/waterproof [OL-405T-400] - $102.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

Its still kinda strong though.. but I haven't found a equivalent Pointer with ~150-200mW.
What do you think of this one?

EDIT:
It says that the pointer is "adjustable" does that mean that I could adjust the power of the beam?

If you expect a good visible laser, you won´t be happy with the laser above. It is less visible than a 10mW 532nm green laser.

 

[huggers]

I'm looking for a good visible one, but why is this one not that good if I expect that?

 

[DJNY]

I'm looking for a good visible one, but why is this one not that good if I expect that?

This chart describes it quite well

 

[hakzaw1]

FYI
a 500 mW laser is not 5 times as 'bright' as a 100mW laser.

your choice of nm(wavelength) makes a big difference. The Blu-ray lasers(405nm) are very hard to see- while the green lasers are , to our eyes, the easiest to see.

maybe you should just buy three pointers- one each 532-405- and 650 nms.

You really have a lot of reading (homework) to do before you will know what you are doing IMO. Make the search button your best friend. In some cases there is no easy and simple answer to your questions.
Calling lasers red/blue or green is too simplistic...


Buy here from lpf members with good rep and you will save money for sure.

another great source of info is our godfather of lasers Dr. Sam G.

do a search for Sams laser FAQ and be ready to do many hours of homework.

WE are all here to help....but you need to help yourself first. good luck and welcome to the addiction.

 

[huggers]

I know that the visibility depends on the wavelength, I had this topic in university. I just thought that there are some other "features" of the hardware that make the beam better visible

I wanted a blue/ violet laser because I just like the color more

The beam doesn't have to be really bright at daylight, just visible with the ability to light matches or maybe burn a hole in black paper.

I found two other.. cheap ones which might be good for a first "strong" laser.
First:
http://www.tmart.com/200mW-405nm-Midopen-Blueviolet-Laser-Pointer_p94411.html

Second:
150mW 405nm Flashlight Style Blue-violet Laser Pointer - Tmart.com


Is that site trustworthy? What do you think about the pointers?

 

[DJNY]

Follow hakzaw1´s advice and do your homework with reading around first.

The lasers you linked won´t have this output, more like 50-70mW.

You can always make the beam more visible by adding smoke/steam/fog to the air.

405nm with a visible beam in daylight? You might get a 20000mW one.


If you want to buy a laser @Tmart, go with this one, visible at night, beam should be also visible in a ligthed room http://www.tmart.com/50mW-532nm-Openback-Steel-Green-Laser-Pointer_p90699.html


Follow the advices EXPERIENCED MEMBERS given you.

I´m out.

 

[huggers]

The lasers you linked won´t have this output, more like 50-70mW.

What makes them so much weaker than stated?

405nm with a visible beam in daylight? You might get a 20000mW one.

Visible in a dark room would be enough too. But is not really neccessary at all.


Thanks for the tip, but I really want a blue/ purple one. I'd like to diffract the beam with something like this (Diffraction Grating - Transmission Matrix :: Diffraction Gratings :: Dragon Lasers) and maybe light a match and maybe burn a hole in black paper.

 

[hakzaw1]

What makes them so much weaker than stated?

The seller is hoping you do not own a meter or know somebody that does.

Visible in a dark room would be enough too. But is not really neccessary at all.
You can get a overspec Br pointer for less than $10. try eekbay etimeshop. most are actually 40 to 60 mWs-they are required to list them as 5 mWs by rules set by FeeBay.

Thanks for the tip, but I really want a blue/ purple one. I'd like to diffract the beam with something like this (Diffraction Grating - Transmission Matrix :: Diffraction Gratings :: Dragon Lasers) and maybe light a match and maybe burn a hole in black paper.

If you are insistant on burning things go for any 445nm sold by members here for around 130$$-- BUT know this-- you are a fool if you do not get proper eye protection first and use it... IMHO.

You only get one pair of eyes--also taking such a laser to school would be the same as taking a gun to school.

hak