WTB: A Few Pen Lasers (532, 445)

[pschlosser]

It must be due to the recent Saint Patrick’s Day holiday, because I’ve had a few people ask if I can provide them some pen-style laser pointers in 532 green, equal to the one I use to demonstrate during night-time astronomy outings. Mine is 5 years old and outputs a 150mW. I've had some bad luck in locating more. I’ve tried ordering from eBay and Amazon, and I’m building a pretty good collecting of under 50mW pointers. I'm also a little gun-shy ordering from China, direct.

Does anyone have one or two they would sell me? I’m coming here and asking you guys, because I’m looking for that little assurance we get when people sell measured pens.

The momentary on/off dual AAA eating variety seems to be the most popular. Few want to deal with Lithium batteries, it seems.

Also, I'm looking for two low power (hopefully, low cost) 445nm pen lasers in the same footprint. I want something more expendable for demonstrating in the field, than my 2000mW Blord build.

 

[Grix]

You should order from here: Optotronics Green Pen Pointers

Optotronics have a great reputation. Their pen lasers might look the same as cheap chinese ones, but they are not. If optotronics says it is 150mW, it is 150mW (or more).

Be careful though, pen lasers are not good heatsinks, and 150mW green modules generate a lot of heat. So the duty cycle will not be very good.

For 445nm, try this one: http://www.o-like.com/index.php?mai...ducts_id=190&zenid=i9eesno4t69amcnhtgec2dpln7

O-like also has a good reputation around here, though the quality of their lasers are not quite as good as f.ex. optotronics.

 

[pschlosser]

Optotronics does indeed have good stuff. I never thought to look there. Thank you. I bet they're pricey. But I'm seeing there is little way around that.

 

[BowtieGuy]

I agree with Grix, Optotronics sells excellent 532nm pen style lasers. You are also correct about them being a bit pricey, but IMO worth it.

My first laser was a 150mW Optotronics, it measured 160mW. It's still going strong!

Besides, Jack is a great guy to deal with!

Good luck