Best 75-95mw laser?

[MysteryNotes]

Hi, i'm new to lasers(Just got into lasers a few weeks ago) and discovered these forums (CPF).
I currently have a 5MW Green Laser pointer, which i really like and im planning to buy another laser(I've got a budget of $300), and i was wondering which is the best laser i could buy.
I want a durable, bright laser that can burn stuff
I know about Wicked Lasers, AtlasNova, Dragon Lasers, Tech Lasers and Nova Lasers, i was wondering which was the best for value and in quality.
I was originally planning to buy the Wicked Lasers Phoenix laser, but i read some comments that wicked laser wasn't that good and stuff, so i need your opinions, which laser is the best i can get for my budget??

 

[Cydonia]

Don't forget that $50 of your budget should be going to get a pair of laser glasses, so now you're down to only $250

 

[pyrokid3]

Lots of people knock wicked and say that they are bad, but I have had good experience with them. However, although they make a quality laser, they are not the best value.

Wicked=good quality + expensive

The other companies are all good, and probably cheaper.

 

[ixfd64]

I'm going to have to disagree with you. Wicked's products do have quality issues, and I can confirm it. Last August, I won an "Advanced" (35 mW) laser from a contest on Spectra Forum.

My laser performs well for the first few minutes on fresh batteries, but its output quickly drops below the advertised 35 mW after the peak. In many cases, it becomes almost as dim as my 5 mW "Core" pointer.

Wicked's products also have cosmetic issues. My laser has less than two hours of use, but a lot of the paint has started to come off.

I'd go with NOVAlasers.

 

[04orgZx6r]

I'd go with NOVAlasers.

+1 great customer service goes a long way.

 

[MysteryNotes]

Thanks everyone for your comments
Btw cydonia, i already have set aside some cash to buy a pair of laser goggles
Another question though, are laser goggles really essential?

 

[MysteryNotes]

Oh, and what batteries should i use for optimal performance?

 

[pyrokid3]

For that power range, I would highly recommend laser goggles. As in if you don't use them and you get hit in the eye you're blind, recommend.

 

[Kenom]

Thanks everyone for your comments
Btw cydonia, i already have set aside some cash to buy a pair of laser goggles
Another question though, are laser goggles really essential?

Necessary only if you value your vision. I've got blind spots in my eye from getting hit in the eye with a 130mw green laser. and they are just doggone bright and having a way of reducing the light from the laser when your looking at the dot for burning is really really nice.

I also will third the novalasers. I WILL NOT recommend anything from wickedlasers without exception. it's like a stickin your hand in a bag full of razor blades trying to grab the quarter at the bottom. is it worth it?? Hell no!! you never know what your going to get from them and to the quallity is going to be random. If I purposefully wanted a laser for a lot cheaper that was going to give me random quality I'll buy from www.dealextreme.com and hope I get a good one from them. and they are consistently better than wickeds at 1/4 the price.

 

[MysteryNotes]

Necessary only if you value your vision. I've got blind spots in my eye from getting hit in the eye with a 130mw green laser. and they are just doggone bright and having a way of reducing the light from the laser when your looking at the dot for burning is really really nice.

I also will third the novalasers. I WILL NOT recommend anything from wickedlasers without exception. it's like a stickin your hand in a bag full of razor blades trying to grab the quarter at the bottom. is it worth it?? Hell no!! you never know what your going to get from them and to the quallity is going to be random. If I purposefully wanted a laser for a lot cheaper that was going to give me random quality I'll buy from www.dealextreme.com and hope I get a good one from them. and they are consistently better than wickeds at 1/4 the price.

I see, well since so many people support novalasers , i think i'll go buy one

 

[clint999]

I see, well since so many people support novalasers , i think i'll go buy one