Why did you bought a laser'?

[hampsterMSR]

Why did you bought a laser, and how much $$ have you spent total in the laser business ?

Thank you

 

[W3AR37A53R5]

Hi
If you are asking about the purposes of using lasers i can tell you a few that comes to mind... construction, antenna alignment, forensics, cutting materials, astronomy and star gazing, scuba diving signal and direction pointing. In camping to signal other camp locations at night. Also in emergency situations, if you are trapped in a tights space after a earthquake or lost in the woods, at sea or in space, lasers can be used as a S.O.S signal for help.

I spent around $1700 for my Hercules 500, tripod adapter, power cord and it came with free protective goggles.
From Laserglow

 

[Bluefan]

I bought my first real laser (A 1.3mW HeNe laser) about 3.5 years ago for an optics experiment. Since then I build up my complete lab. The total for the lasers, optics and optical test equipment is at least several thousand euro, I haven't kept track of it. Electronics is also a few thousand. Total is at least over 10k.

 

[qumefox]

I got my first laser (a ~1mW HeNe with a kit power supply) in the early 90's.

And as far as how much i've spent on them over the years.. More than I probably should have heh, but less than Aryntha.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Am I the only one that's bugged just a little bit the "bought" instead of the "buy" in the thread title?

Anyway.... Got my first laser early in high school, a cheap keychain pointer. Why... well because you could put a picture of a boob or an a$$ on a building... and well, I did say I was in high school at the time

Now, I just love to see beams of light slice through the sky.

 

[qumefox]

Am I the only one that's bugged just a little but the "bought" instead of the "buy" in the thread title?

This is 'teh internetz'.. If you start getting bent out of shape and try to correct bad grammar and spelling.. Well.. good luck with that.. I only bring it up these days when someone is being a nuisance.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

^^^ I know, I know

I wouldn't say bent out of shape, it just bugs me a bit. Sort of like a person who leaves their blinker indefinitely.

On that pleasant note... time to go brave some traffic.

 

[joenobody]

^^^ I know, I know

I wouldn't say bent out of shape, it just bugs me a bit. Sort of like a person who lives their blinker indefinitely.

You mean "leaves their blinker on indefinitely"?
Did you say it that way on purpose and I am missing something here?
Quite possible with me now a days.

Sorry, couldn't help myself pointing that out.

And yes, the title bothered me too for some reason???

On topic, got my first red pointer many moon ago, but didn't get hooked untill a green 30mw purchase as a gun sight in 2007. And as with most, many thousands later, we still love them. (and spend even more $$$ on them)

...

 

[hampsterMSR]

Am I the only one that's bugged just a little but the "bought" instead of the "buy" in the thread title

Sorry about that, I do my best, but English is not my mother lenguage.. I'm learning anyways ^^

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Sorry about that, I do my best, but English is not my mother lenguage.. I'm learning anyways ^^

If it makes you feel better... there is a spelling mistake in my own post

 

[n2stuff]

I built my first laser back 1988 a 0.5 mw HeNe. The lasers nowadays are down right scary. I like them for the color.



scott

 

[blue bumblebee]

i think the word "bought" has a connotation that you have done in the past but not anymore because its a "bad" thing that you are spending all the money and time on lasers
and it "bugs" most of you because you DO spend all the time and money on it
ill just wait a few more years and then ill catch up with you guys

 

[offroadfreak8582]

i bought my first laser when i was just a kid in spain which was like a 0.5 reddie on a marketplace. Since then had not done much with lasers until i became an adult. -> now -> addicted lol

greetings,

 

[jimdt7]

I have spent about 1k till now !

Jim

 

[Sigurthr]

I think I've only spent about $600 total now, including the ridiculous prices I payed in the early 90s for a 0.7mW 635nm diode and driver.

I fell in love with lasers as a child reading 1960's lab brouchures about how much lasers will do for us in the future. My grandfather was a chemist and he had all kinds of cool scientific literature.

I buy lasers as an adult because when used safely they are a heck of a lot of fun, but you must really respect the laser and understand it's dangers. Also, being an Amateur Radio Operator, they come in REALLY handy aligning antennae, guy lines, etc. I'm even working on a voice modulated laser system (Laser Transceiver), as light is an approved Ham Radio band.

 

[marihuano]

I really like how they look and I always wonder how light can be so concentrated.

My first laser was a cheap 5mw red one