Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a laser

[LightChucker]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif I have been collecting custom-made, LED lights; mostly small ones that I can carry and use. I think lasers are cool, but I have not bought one yet (probably because I don't know what I would use it for). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif Of course, I could shine it against a wall, but I'm afraid that would not hold my interest for very long. I know some people use them to point at a projection screen while giving a lecture, but I rarely do that.

I would appreciate reading how you use your lasers.

Thank you for taking the time to reply,

Chuck

 

[DarkLight]

I actually used mine the other night to point out constellations...

 

[LaserMod]

I use my PGL-III for remote firework lighting - works pretty well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Not much good this part of the year though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

 

[ACMarina]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

When I teach I spend about half the time in the classroom and half the time outside. I use my laser to point things out to my students without getting so close as to get in their way. .

 

[LightChucker]

[ QUOTE ]
LaserMod said:
I use my PGL-III for remote firework lighting - works pretty well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Not much good this part of the year though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you kidding me? You mean that it actually lights the fuse?! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wow.gif

Hey, I admit to being gullible. So, what kind of laser are you using to do that?

Chuck

 

[loalight]

LC-

the best use for lasers, imo, is if you have cats. They LOVE chasing the spot, and it requires no effort from you. Best of all, any cheap laser will do.. red, green whatever.

I've had a dozen lasers ranging from 5mW to 500mW, and I always come back to the cats and the little red diode pointer /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[trident]

in my experience, most cats don't seem to pay much mind to the green dot... they like red though.

 

[Kiessling]

Hey Chuck ...
look at his beauty:

You might not need it, but I am sure you want it just as I did /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bernhard

P.S.: this is a Jasper Always driven by a CR123 with optical feedback for stable output and can be run without a duty cycle indefinitely long. It is <5mW and perfectly legal to use ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Raccoon]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

I bought mine for pointing out stars at a college astronomy club, but I'll admit it's just fun to play with when I'm bored. The experience of monochromatic light is really fascinating as it dazzles a darkened room. If you're into basic physics, you'll find countless beam experiments to try.

They are dangerous though for multiple reasons, and even low level units pose a possible threat of injury or gradual deterioration of vision. So save your pennies but be advised.

 

[sharkeeper]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Wait until white diode lasers come out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Imagine the throw and beam adjustability. I would love to have a 100mW direct diode - white. Collimated far the output wouldn't be dangerous. Just don't sit it down on a table like a regular flashlight left on!

 

[senecaripple]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

i use it in the country when i go out for my medication( my gf mom wont let me smoke inside the house. so to entertain myself whilst i smoke i lase at trees just to enjoy the beam. i bring it to parties but never used it. dont need any unwanted attention.

 

[bootleg2go]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

I use mine mostly for star pointing and playing around melting things and cutting electrical tape. To me the pure green light is just fascinating and beautiful. I do plan on getting some galvos (mirrors that are mounted on servos) to do some small light shows under computer control.

I guess they are just fun.

Jack

 

[LaserMod]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Fireworks -

It's a 190mw PGL-III, have to keep it very steady though, works from around 4-5 feet away on new batteries.

CNI-Laser

 

[LightChucker]

bernhard,

Yep, it sure looks cool!

I never realized that a little, hand-held laser would be powerful enough to burn something.

You sure would be hard to catch if it turned on while it was in your pocket! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mpr.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif

Chuck

 

[TimAckerman]

Well i don't think that the PGLIII is that little!! i believe it is about 190mm long (That is about 8 inches for all you people who don't like the metric system!!) and the >150mW laser will run you about $700 USD i believe right from CNI, so not cheap or small, but i bet it would be LOTS of fun!! lol

The <5mW Green Lasers are not powerful enough to burn stuff, which is too bad!!! lol

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bootleg2go]

Hi Lightchucker,
You're right, the laser that Bernhard shows in his picture, the jasper, does not have the power to burn anything, they are limited to 5mw. You won't be melting or burning holes in plastic until you get above 40mw at least.
I think Tim mnetioned the >150mw PGL-III as being $700, that's the old price, they raised their prices due to demand. In fact I think they just priced themselves out of business because I can do much beter than that. My prediction is with their prices this high and much cheaper options available, they will either be coming back down in price real soon or don't care about the pointer side of their business.

Jack

 

[Kiessling]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Chuck, ... the one I pictured is a "weenie" laser, it produces the legal <5mW and won't do anything nasty, and certainly it won't burn holes in anything /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It costs about $120 IIRC ...
bernhard

 

[Iron_Man]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Go back to your polychromatic world, if you need a reason to buy a laser, you are not a true laser nerd. Leave us in peace. For only we can see the beauty of specular reflections, where others see noise. The purity of monochromaticy is our guiding light, true, some follow red, and others green. Some like myself follow blue, but the single line we all agree is the true path. Do not be tempted by the snakes with "white lasers". For they are the spawn of Chinese D cell flashlights, useless untill broken into separate lines. If you chose to join us, very well...pick your color carefully, for by it you will be known.



/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif



Les /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif

 

[Raccoon]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Crap man! That's too funny for words. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Perhaps a sorting hat for lasers?

532nm SLYTHERIN!

 

[Data]

Re: Flashaholic looking for a reason to buy a lase

Iron Man, LOL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif


Raccoon, you are a follower of "He Who Must Not Be Named" arn't U? I am hoping for Griffendore(650-660nm).



Mischief Managed!