Rayfoss waterproof 50mW good wattage for star pointing?

[stevodotorg]

This will be my first greenie, the only laser I currently own is a blu-ray pocket mini, I actually built 3 of them for me and a couple friends. For a few months I have been eyeing the rayfoss black waterproof 50mW green. I just want something simple with a visible beam (possibly for a little star pointing too), all the 150-200mW I have seen in person are awfully bright and often have artifacts.

Am i making a good choice here?

Thanks!

 

[laserkid95]

hi
well i have never dealt with rayfoss but what i can tell you is that i use to own a 5mw green laser and it was plenty for star pointing although it was from deals extreme so i dont know if it was a real 5mw may be more like 10-15mw.

and now i own a viper 125mw green and the beam
is incredible. so i am going to say that a 50mw green laser will be more the you need for star pointing also i think that a 50mw will be able to pop a dark balloon. so i hope this helps you make up you mind.

 

[Greenmechanic]

50mW will look like a looong light saber when pointed in the sky. It will hurt your eyes if they are accustomed to the dark.
Make sure there are no planes anywhere around before you fire it up.

I generally stay in the dark for 5-10 minutes before shining it skyward.
This gives your eyes a chance to become accustomed to the dark,then you scan the entire sky for planes, if none, then fire it up.

By law (US), any pilot that spots a laser beam has to report it. (even if it is 20 miles away from his plane)
Treat your laser as you would a gun, never point it at anything you don't want to kill. (blind, in the case of lasers)
Have fun, but remember that it can land you in jail if you are not careful with it.

 

[Ash]

50mW is almost too bright for star-pointing unless you live in the city with light-pollution, then it's fine....
If you live in the country, all you really need is ~20mW for star-pointing, and Rayfoss sells one (when they get back online), for about $30.

But, yeah, you won't be disappointed with a 50mW from rayfoss. I have had one that has lasted about a year, with multiple dunks in the pool, ocean, drops on the concrete, etc... and still puts out ~60mW. Rayfoss waterproofs are really well built (and warrantied)

 

[Razako]

50mw should work nicely for star pointing. Just do a quick lookout for any helicopters/planes in the area and you're good to go.

 

[stevodotorg]

50mw should work nicely for star pointing. Just do a quick lookout for any helicopters/planes in the area and you're good to go.

speaking of helicopters, nice sig haha.. of course, it's good that you guys post to watch out for planes and helicopters, as I understand there are some kids that come on to the forum from time to time, no worries about that. I'm definitely interested in the waterproof ones, they look like they are built really well, maybe even better than my pocket mini I made 0_0 ..anyway, thanks for the input, everyone