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New to lasers, got $50, what do you reccomend?

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Jul 11, 2012
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Hey, I was wondering what are some good higher powered lasers you can recommend me for <$50. I'm really interested and would prefer 100mw+ but I only see the cheap sites like laserpointerpro and what not, that I kind of want to avoid, so please any help would be great. Past experiences? I have a cheap <5mw, but I want bigger and better. Thanks a ton!
 





buy from a vet member here.
I may have more/better advice but you failed to add your location in your profile.
That may not seem important to you but.... it is.
 
Either that or buy a 250mW 660nm red laser from lazerer.com, that's within your specifications, if you're worried about location stuff. Quality wise a builder here is your best option.
 
I live in Ohio in the United States. I'd be interested in a builder, I sadly don't know what to search for that though, do you guys have anyone you'd recommend? Thanks for the reply!
 
If you are absolutely new to lasers, start off with a true 5mW green laser. See if the hobby is for you. You can get a very nice true 5mW laser from laserglow, or optotronics for about that much.

Next step up that makes sense would be 100mW, but you would need to increase your budget a bit, to also cover goggles.
 
Dan-- go to the 'tutorials' section and look thru those by DTR.

A PHR make a good first build and the parts are not very $$$.
405nm is a fun wavelength- makes Dayglo items JUMP and GITD stuff REALLY GLOWS bright and long. fill clear glass or platic bottles with water and drop the 'wick' from a yellow highlighter in it and turn out the lights-
anybody can just buy a working laser- you first DIY will give lots of satisfaction.

'
 
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Yeah, you should learn to build your own, which is really what this forum is about. $50 isn't going to buy much premade anyway.
 
wait and save another $100 and get a better laser than $50 buys
 
By taping a straight pin to even a dead pointer you will pop balloons alll day.

J/K

Cheap and best are not interchangeable terms.

Buy from a 'real' person... we have many vet builders who make quality lasers and kits and you get quick help with NO language barriers.

2 cents
 
Right now 445nm blue lasers are the best power for the money and you'll have to spend between $150-$200 but honestly, it's worth it. $150 for your first high powered laser seems like a lot but you'll be glad you did it spent it.

Here is a link to Survival Laser's 1W Blue, it's an American company, and a good starter. But as you've heard before and will hear again, you will damage your eyes if you look at the dot without laser goggles, and a direct shot to the eye will cause immediate damage.
Survival Laser I 445nm Parts Bundle - Laser Components Only

Better yet, take the time to save the money and get to know people on the forums and watch the Buy Sell section for a good deal. I recently made a purchase and was very happy with it.

But if your really set on sticking to your budget, check out my second build in my signature, I ended up with a pretty strong laser for what I paid for it.
 
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^ I wouldn't recommend that to a beginner looking for a first laser.

I think hak hit the nail on the head with the phr. Go to cajunlasers.com and get a pen host, phr sled, 405nm glass lens, and a 120ma mohgasm driver. Then get 2x 10440 li-ion batteries and a charger from lighthound.com (or from cajunlasers if they have them).
 


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