Hi all - newbie here - 1st post in this forum.
As for me, I am writing Texas Laser Systems off as a possibly bad/scam site.
1.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/buying-200mw-green-burner-60831.html
(first post in the thread)
2.
Last sunday (5 June 2011) I registered on the Texas Laser Systems site, in preparation / anticipation of buying a product on monday (yesterday, 6 June). (specifically, a 5mw green laser pointer w/ IR filter).
In the meantime, I emailed them sunday evening, stating that I would probably place an order the next day, but I had questions on a couple of products... I stated that I might buy a high power laser in the future.
Concerning their safety goggles;
(a) I courteously / good-nature-edly (?) mentioned that on their website, "Laser Saftey Glasses for 190-540nm Lasers" contains a misspelling.
(b) I wanted to know what the OD rating was for their "Saftey Glasses".
I still have not received a reply to the email.
I called ALL DAY on monday (6 june) off and on, about every 1-2 hours, and just got a recording.
3.
If you google Texas Laser Systems, and check business profile sites, the yielded info leads to some suspicion. (example) Estimated number of employees 1 - 2 (??)
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So, I ordered a Lyra-B5 5mw greenie from Laserglow today (actually- yesterday, monday, mid-afternoon); went ahead and shelled out the rush shipping charges, spoke to a rep at Laserglow (telephonically) and got tracking info... it should arrive today (tuesday) or at the latest wednsday. Yay for me. This was based partially/mostly on:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/guide-buying-your-first-green-laser-30608.html
Thanks, Randomlugia, for that guide.
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My first post, so I will drop a bio:
LASER background stuff:
First laser: Red 5mw (?) HeNe from Edmund Scientific back in the mid 70's. (I am a crusty old thing).
Experimented with holography. Wasn't very good, but I was starting to get "acceptable" results before I gave it up. This branched into other interests such as night vision devices, etc. I was already an astronomy enthusiest, shortwave listener (SWL), etc., from way back.
2nd laser: Cheap red < 5mw pointer from Radio Shack, about 1998 or so. Eventually used mostly as a toy for my cat. A couple or 3-5 years ago, put this in the top of a closet, forgot to take out the batteries. Retrieved it recently. Wouldn't work. The pushbutton was even frozen in place. Had to use needlenose pliers to open the battery compartment. GUESS what I found inside? I had a new pet, his name was "Corrosion". He didn't do much, not near as interesting as my cat, so I threw "Corrosion" away.
So now I am interested in lasers again. Not sure what my next step will be after the 5mw Laserglow Lyra. I am not REALLY interested in "burnin stuff", just "cool brite stuff". We'll see.
NON-LASER background stuff:
Retired military, US Army, 22 years, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT).
Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class. I've had 4 callsigns now, including a German call that I got while stationed in Berlin (very old call, expired, was DA2YO). Current call = AD5WY. Still a SWL. I have an interest in "illicits", which SWL'ers call "spy and numbers stations", and radio pirates when I can find them.
Interested / into all sorts of geeky things. B.E.A.M. robotics, etc. Used to be into fencing (strictly foil, didn't have time for sabre, and epee'ers are all nutz), and scuba (was a certified PADI instructor when I was stationed in Hawaii, 1992-1995).