Best green laser for about $50 or less ?

First off all, I am a total newbie and know little about laser pointers, although I did just spend about two hours reading these forums and learned a lot from that.

But I'd like to know what a good green laser pointer would be for around $40 - $60. I assume it won't be too powerful, which is fine, but I just want one that is well-made, reliable, long-lasting, and as powerful as possible for that price and the other factors taken into consideration.

I see that there are many green laser pointers listed on ebay and many of those are in this price range. Do you think ebay is a good place to buy one to save a little money or am I better off going with one of the specialty sites often referenced here?

I've always thought that lasers were very cool and it was a nice surprise to find this site where so many of you are into them so heavily and know so much about them. I just have a few little key chain red laser pointers that I got off ebay and enjoy those, but would like to get a green on.

I see that my little red one says <1mW which is probably about as weak as they get, but it still works great. So I bet a green one would be really bright and fun to play with. I didn't even know that some were illegal to use outdoors, so I'll have to read up on that more.

Well, I appreciate any recommendations that anyone could make. Thanks! Tony

You could buy a Leadlight on ebay. This is what I did and I had no problems. Leadlight is a pretty good brand and I really it. Just make sure whoever you are buying it from has good feedback.

Just spoted this 5mW guy,

http://www.luckyduck.com/lasers/apc.php

$79 at first, Apply apcfor40 at checkout to make the price $40 for $47 including shipping.

Not to thrilled about it being chrome, but for less than $50 I can't complain, it beats the $199 one I was thinking of buying last year.

EDIT:

Forgot, Their shopping cart is a little hosed, and would only work for me in Internet Explorer.

Bolland,

Check your PM.

As a newbie you should know something about DPSS lasers and this is a good place to start, SAMS LASER FAQ.

I too have wondered, where can I buy a laser pointer *cough*modifiable*cough cough* for LESS than the lucky ducky, not much has turned up for me, and, I don't want to mess with circut boards, I generally don't have much luck with those, ESPECALLY on the resoldering part. (of course I've used a butane torch on some soooo....)

Is there anywhere to get a greenie for less than 47.50?

DCFluX said:

Just spoted this 5mW guy,

http://www.luckyduck.com/lasers/apc.php

$79 at first, Apply apcfor40 at checkout to make the price $40 for $47 including shipping.

Not to thrilled about it being chrome, but for less than $50 I can't complain, it beats the $199 one I was thinking of buying last year.
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Click to expand...

Thanks, I ordered one of these and just received it. It's lots of fun and I was impressed that you really can see the beam in the dark. I may go with a more powerful one in the future, but this one is fun for me for now.

My luckyduck's crystal wasn't aligned too well at first, but after an alignment and the constant current mod I get a steady 20mW, so not too shabby.

I really don't expect you'll get a quality green pointer for anything less than 47.50, considering the parts alone are worth more than that. You are benefitting quite a bit from mass production at that price. Here are some estimates from component sales I have seen or expect:

replacement diode: $25
replacement crystal: $30 (in pairs)
4 glass lenses: $6
IR filter: $.50
Casing, brass barrel, PCB parts, feedback assembly: $6

total: $67.50

I do want to know however, where do these people buy there lasers? I know that some of the sellers on ebay are MAKING profit off of lasers when they sell them for only 40 with s/h included, otherwise they would've stopped selling. (I'm talking about the new ones, not used)

PS: and a side thought, why doesn't the CPF link work, or is that just my computer?