Looking to buy a laser...comments on these?

[Abemas]

Hello all,

I'm new here and stumbled upon the forum while looking for info on green lasers. I'd like to purchase one in the near future but there is such a huge variety on the net and I'm having a hard time choosing one. The stores I have discovered are as follows:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/5a47/

http://www.bigha.com/sky/index.php

http://www.wickedlasers.com/products.php?var=ok

I am assuming the laser at www.thinkgeek.com is the same as the basic laser at Wicked Lasers...would this be a fair assumption? Also, the Jasper apparently has APC technology which is supposed to maintain the laser at a more stable output...has anybody bought the Jasper and if so what are your impressions of it? Lastly, are there any other manufacturers I should look at before I make my choice?

Thanks!

 

[senecaripple]

abeland1.com is pretty good for <$100.00

 

[DaFiend]

What are your plans for the laser?

 

[wintermute]

[ QUOTE ]
senecaripple said:
abeland1.com is pretty good for <$100.00

[/ QUOTE ]

I second the recommendation for Arnold Beland, his company is Atlasnova. http://www.abeland1.com/ His business practices are top notch, unlike some other vendors.

As far as the Jasper laser goes, I have heard that the laser can be left on for hours at a time if you wish. That's not something that Leadlight pointers can do, but an unmodified Leadlight should run as long as you wish without a duty cycle.

I have heard good things about the Jasper, however I haven't use one myself. Remember that the Jasper uses CR123A batteries, which will be more expensive for most people then the 2xAAAs that the Atlasnova (Leadlight) lasers use. (some people buy CR132A's in quantities of 50 for cheap, and they last longer then AAAs)

 

[kakcoo]

I use 2x 850mA rechargeable AAA for my leadlight. I paid 99NOK ($16,3) for the batteries. I don't have an urge for more than a 30 sec duty cycle, so this modified leadlight from vitalspirit does the job.
5mW is not enough for me. I want to see fire in the skies /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Abemas]

My purposes for the laser are pretty much just hobby use. I'm looking for something with plenty of power to provide lots of visiblity but I have little desire to start melting garbage bags any time soon. =)

I was also reading that Jasper is coming out with a new laser this April which has a more unique shape and is supposed to self regulate the laser to be kept between 4.5 and 5.0 mw. But I'm not sure if I may want something stronger.