Need an inexpensive laser pointer?

[coppertrail]

Brought home a Raytek MT6 Laser thermometer last night. Went out for a bit, and when I arrived home, my girlfriend wanted to show me something. She was using the Raytek as a cat toy by holding the trigger the cats were chasing it all over the place

I don't want to use the Raytek as a cat toy. Went over to Walmart and was told they don't sell them. I don't want to purchase one online, I'm looking to purchase locally.

Where is a good store such as Walmart where I could pick a couple of these up. Obviously I don't want something so powerful that it could harm the cats eyes . .

Thanks!

 

[SenKat]

Most convenience stores sell the cheapo reds - that is what I assume you are talking about, right ? And Flea markets for sure !

 

[kennieyk]

staples has a red for 16 bucks .. office depot also carrys a few cheapies !

 

[coppertrail]

Thanks, looks like the office supply store is the way to go. I see they all carry the Apollo line.

 

[Omega Man]

I bought this one from dealextreme since it takes a single AA instead of messing with coincells. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.999
Still only $3.81 of bought alone. You won't be able to beat that, even at a flea market.

 

[coppertrail]

I was just looking at the Green laser pens @ Dealextreme, I think I'm going to pop for the 5mW model. If I understand this correctly, you need not use eye protection with 5mW and lower?

Can I safely use the 5mW Green laser with the cats, or is there a possibility of eye damage if it accidentally hits their eyes?

 

[kennieyk]

i would get a red for the cat ! they are under 5 bucks at dealxtream ! then you could pick up a 20 mw for a few bucks more then the 5 mw laser .. i know the output on the 10 mw 20 mw and 30 mw go over the mw rating ... so i would guess the 5 mw might be higher then 5 mw ! if yu really wanna be safe for the cat get one at office store ,, they have the 1 mw and 5 mw reds

 

[coppertrail]

Thanks Kenny, I just ordered the 5mW Green Laser and the Red 5mW that OmegaMan posted.

But, if I get anything over 5mW in the green, I need to use eye protection any time I use it? This is why I went with the 5mW Green, I don't want to risk eye damage, and don't want to mess around with eye protection.

Thanks everyone for the information/recommendations, they've been very helpful!

 

[kennieyk]

the 5 mw at dealxtream is the safest it has a ir filter so i think it be pretty safe without eye protection ,,, i still would avoid shining the beam at or near anyones eyes ! watch out for reflections to .. i got a 20 mw at dealxtream and i am happy with it and the price .. just takes a while to get from china to here ! like 3 weeeks for me

 

[coppertrail]

I understand about the wait, I've placed numerous orders with DealExtreme. It takes an average of 8 days to arrive, which isn't too bad considering its coming from China Three weeks is a long time, do you live in the states?

Looking forward to the Green laser. I saw a video online and it looks like you can see them pretty far up into the sky at night

If I really like the 5mW green, I'll upgrade to a better model down the road.

 

[kennieyk]

i live in maryland usa ... you will love the 5 mw greenie maybe it was only 2 weeks just felt like forever

 

[Ashton]

If you want to shine a laser into the sky you need to look to atleast a 35mw to get any visual distance. 5mw does not produce nearly as visible a beam as even a 15mw, much less the higher-end models.