Q-switched handheld lasers, do they exist?

[Cressa]

Title says it all. Was wondering what these cost if so. Thought it'd be cool to have one, not interested in some big machine though. I know plenty of scams claiming to be q-switch lasers are out there, hard to find anything that seems super legit. Just figured someone here would know.

 

[Gryphon]

Many moons ago I used a SSY1 head to make a q switched YAG pistol that ran on 2AA's. It took a full minute to recharge between shots but it could blast the ink of paper, pop balloons and I even got it to ionize air with a very short FL lens.

Now that I think about it I have no idea where it is anymore.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

I did the same thing with an SSY-1 but broke the tube trying to move the heavy leads. I can't find a flash tube which
will drive it to full power. I think it had some Kr in the mix. Try to find a replacement !!! I have a tube which gets a weak
lase but doesn't seem to get up to Q level. Somewhere in the medical industry is a tube which will work !