If you had appr. $50 to blow on a greenie?

[instinct]

What would you recommend? Mostly looking for something reliable and constant.. Output is important, but not if it's all IR coming out of it.. I was thinking about AtlasNova because it seems a lot of people on the boards like them.. Also, I'm curious about DealExtreme, because of their low prices, but I know they don't have IR filters in them. Are they reliable at least?

Anyways, anyone want to give me any ideas?

 

[iLikeLight]

(I'm researching buying my first green laser too. I've only used a <5mW red laser before.)
At the Optotronics site there is a guaranteed 4.99mW green pointer for $47 (w/ shipping, will be ~$55).
At the TechLasers site there is a 15mW green device for $79 (w/ shipping, will be ~$104).
At the LaserGlow site there is a 4.5-5mW green pointer for $59.99 (w/ shipping, ~$72).
From what I have read, any laser w/out an IR filter is very dangerous because IR light diverges differently and is not visible to the naked eye.
In my (inexperienced) opinion, you get the best bang for your buck by going with either the Optotronics 5mW or the Infiniti series from TechLasers (95mW for $159).
I suggest that if you get anything higher than 5mW, you get the appropriate protection goggles. These range from $40 (TechLasers) to $90 (LaserGlow).
I hope this has been helpful!

 

[Gerhard]

I bought one from RadioShack today for 39.95. It is very bright, well built, may be putting out even more than the rated 5 mw (it takes in around 500 mw!!). It takes two AAA's.

 

[Kenom]

I'd go with a DX. Anything below 50mw is IR filtered and for the price ya just can't beat them... I've got 4 inbound now. I own one now 30mw and it's phenominal output for the price. yOu won't find another retailer that sells greens for as low as dx. Above 50mw. I still recommend them but then you need to be aware that they are spewing IR and just need to take the appropriate precautions

 

[Shreknow91]

i think u should check out novalasers.com
they are really good, i personally havent dealt with them but i havnt heard anything bad about them, only good.
but if you go with them you will end up spending more than 100 bucks more than likely

 

[instinct]

I'd go with a DX. Anything below 50mw is IR filtered and for the price ya just can't beat them... I've got 4 inbound now. I own one now 30mw and it's phenominal output for the price. yOu won't find another retailer that sells greens for as low as dx. Above 50mw. I still recommend them but then you need to be aware that they are spewing IR and just need to take the appropriate precautions

Are you sure the ones on DX have an IR filter on them? I was under the impression that they didn't have them. Are those the same as the "New Wish" lasers? DX is so tempting.

 

[flare02]

go with the CORE at Wicked Lasers :thumbsup: its around 50 bucks shipped if you get it on at laserpointer.com.

the dx lasers are crappy...

I've seen some at Laserglow as well but I believe they are more known for large lab laser units.

nova seems to advertise a lot on here now...

 

[IgorT]

I'd go with a DX. Anything below 50mw is IR filtered and for the price ya just can't beat them...

At first i thought that means "including 50mW"... Then i read this about it: "As discussed at our forums, this laser does not come with an IR filter. So for safety you should wear protective glasses when using the pointer."

So the 30mW is 30mW of pure green?

What about the stronger ones, like the 200mW for example? Does this mean a significant part of the 200mW is IR? Or is it 200mW of green + x00mW IR?


EDIT: I looked at the 30mW one and this is what it says: "Reported by a number of fellows from our forums, as most China-made green lasers do not come with an IR filter, protective eye wears are required while using this laser. If you are not sure what this means, get the 5mW version which is as safe as regular red lasers."

I'm confused now..

 

[Illum]

theres a thread on a "50W" found on Kai for $30, Craig tested it to be ~30mw and has an IR filter
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=177103