Want a laser pointer...help

I need a laser pointer that runs on AA or AAA's with a constant on switch, NOT a momentary switch.

I plan on attaching it to a digital level. That way I can measure angles over long distances. I don't need high power, don't need a color other than red.

I found this:
http://www.lasersale.com/catalog/display_item.asp?id=3060

Is there anything cheaper out there? Other suggestions??

Thanks!!

Have you considered a laser sight for an air rifle? they come with a dovetail mount. You would need to attach a matching block to the level, which should be quite easy to do. They are adjustable by three screws (hidden inside the screw-on bezel) to get it pointed in the right direction.
They have a flying lead out of the back with a momentary switch which can easily be replaced with a suitable constant on/off switch.

The only thing that would not be moddable is that it uses button cells or CR123's rather than AA or AAA cells

http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.laser sight

Hope that is of help.

Regards rog8811

Yes...I had thought about a laser sight, but I'd like to keep all my batteries AA's or AAA's. This will be used for cave mapping and the last thing I need is yet another set of backup batteries to bring along.

Looks like I could get all the parts from DealExtreme to build my own, but I thought buying a pre-built pointer would be easier.

There's a permanent on/off switch available for certain pen models out there, it screws on the end in place of the battery cap. What you then do is use a rubber o-ring or something to keep the regualt momentary button pressed and just use the on/off button (on the battery cap end) to turn the laser on and off. I think that Optotronics or Atlasnova sells these, though I can't remember for sure.

mt_vertcaver said:

I need a laser pointer that runs on AA or AAA's with a constant on switch, NOT a momentary switch.

I plan on attaching it to a digital level. That way I can measure angles over long distances. I don't need high power, don't need a color other than red.

I found this:
http://www.lasersale.com/catalog/display_item.asp?id=3060

Is there anything cheaper out there? Other suggestions??

Thanks!!

Click to expand...

We supply some O-rings which are made with a special synthetic rubber that resists stretching over time. These are pictured as they are supplied along with our remote switches that we supply mainly to astronomy enthusiasts who attach our astronomy grade green pointers to their telescopes.
http://www.atlasnova.com/RemoteSwitch.htm

These O-rings will also work to keep the on button down on our red pointers. We have a red six hundred and thirty five nanometer pointer that has a constant on feature.

http://www.atlasnova.com/RedLaserPointerWithOnAndOffSwitch.htm

This is a bit higher in cost them the pointer you have mentioned but keep in mind that it is 635nm, not 650nm. The pointer you mentioned is a 650nm. Our eyes are about three times as sensitive to 635nm as they are to 650nm. If you decide on one of our 650 or 635 model red laser pointers I will be happy to include two of these O-rings but be sure to remind me. One drawback to the model with a constant on feature is the fact that it continues to draw current after the beam has been shut off. It is not unusual for people to forget to remove the batteries when they are done using them. The inevitable result is a dead pointer when they know next go to use it. I would suggest one of our 635nm with the O-rings.

http://www.atlasnova.com/RedLaserPointer635nm.htm

This is a bit higher in cost them the pointer you have mentioned but keep in mind that it is 635nm

Click to expand...

I have one of these (with momentary button), I can highly reccommend it as a well built pointer.

Regards rog8811

Thanks everyone!

I think I'll wait until after Christmas to make a decision. Santa might bring me something.