what laser should I get?

[K7414]

I'm brand new to lasers can you guys help me pick a good one? My budget is $40

 

[NightExplorer96]

Welcome to the forums bud,

What color are you looking for? $40 is a good start toward getting some quality lasers in the violet(405nm)/red(650/635nm)/green(532) colors which are known as basic "common" colors!

Below is a tool which transfers wavelength to color relationship so pick a color you like
http://academo.org/demos/wavelength-to-colour-relationship/

-Alex

 

[K7414]

I'd like a Green one thank you sir

 

[NightExplorer96]

Ok great! Green is a smart choice as it's also the brightest, so you'll need less powers then the others listed to have a visible beam/dot!

As this is your first laser, I would recommend going with a <5mW which will be eye safe and not run the danger of damaging your eyes or others eyes due to it's low power. Below is a laser I've owned myself along with some other members and is a great starter pointer! It's cheap and the folks at LG will make sure you don't have that nasty IR light in your greenie
Laserglow Technologies

-Alex

 

[Laser Chick]

That is a great link about wavelength to color.
Thanks LeHap

PS. The color yellow seems to be such a narrow band. Just several nm to one side or the other and it looks like green or orange :/

 

[NightExplorer96]

That is a great link about wavelength to color.
Thanks LeHap

PS. The color yellow seems to be such a narrow band. Just several nm to one side or the other and it looks like green or orange :/

Your welcome! It is pretty amazing indeed how quickly yellow changes indeed

-Alex

 

[hwang21]

At $40 and new to lasers, I would also get a <5mW green laser pointer. They're fun and you can see the beam dimly at night. They are also "eye safe" (as long as you're not staring into the beam), so you don't need laser goggles

LaserGlow has some good lasers, but they're a bit pricey I think. If you can get your hands on a Wicked Lasers Core, those are also pretty good

 

[APEX1]

I usually say when buying a first laser you should get safety glasses first then buy a laser. good luck though, post pics of what ya get..

 

[NightExplorer96]

(as long as you're not staring into the beam), so

Don't you mean the aperture? :beer:

-Alex

 

[mortuus]

can it be a pen laser ? tight budget but u can get decent green pens for that price excluding shipping.

 

[Alaskan]

I'm brand new to lasers can you guys help me pick a good one? My budget is $40

There is only ONE you should ever consider getting, save up until you can get a

 

[hwang21]

@LeHap, no I don't mean the aperture. Laser beams diverge so little that staring into the beam 50 feet away from the laser aperture is still bad. Small difference, but few people understand that lasers are still dangerous even away from the aperture itself

I wouldn't recommend anything over 5mW. With that tight of a budget, you'd be better off saving the trouble with goggles and just get an "eye-safe" pointer

 

[NightExplorer96]

@LeHap, no I don't mean the aperture. Laser beams diverge so little that staring into the beam 50 feet away from the laser aperture is still bad. Small difference, but few people understand that lasers are still dangerous even away from the aperture itself

I wouldn't recommend anything over 5mW. With that tight of a budget, you'd be better off saving the trouble with goggles and just get an "eye-safe" pointer

Oh gotcha, I thought you meant just looking "at" the beam, not into it sorry. Agreed, staring into a laser no matter the power should be avoided!

-Alex

 

[Nute]

I usually say when buying a first laser you should get safety glasses first then buy a laser. good luck though, post pics of what ya get..

I have to agree here. Once you buy a decent laser you tend want more lasers, or more power. It would be wise to invest in a pair of laser safety glasses/goggles. Always protect your seeing balls, you only get one pair, and it only takes one mishap to damage or lose your sight.

I like to recommend 532nm green lasers for beginners, as long as you spend $2-$3 on a ir filter of coarse. If you have any questions as to where you can procure goggles/glasses, affordable 532nm lasers, or ir filters, just give me a shout. My nephew will be reviewing a cheap Ebay 532nm laser this evening, if you would like me to pm you the link after he is done give me a shout.

I hope this helps.

-Nute

 

[APEX1]

yeah those ebay green lasers are great for a first laser. I had a bunch of the key chain red ones for the longest..

 

[Nute]

yeah those ebay green lasers are great for a first laser. I had a bunch of the key chain red ones for the longest..

I still do! They get more use than any of my Class 4 stuff.