I have no experience in buying a fully built laser projector. I have started looking around and see quite a few different options available.
Everyone would like a Kvant however we don't have the budget for it.
What is your opinion on the best (or acceptable) commercially available entry level RGB analog modulated laser projector for general purpose use (beams and graphics).
Thanks for your input.
is this for your home or some kind of bar/night club?
This would be for a studio (home) system... however getting a variance for it would be nice :)
I would contact CT Lasers and X-Laser to see what they could do for you.
I was hoping for a list of model numbers/links?
The problem with being in the US is you need a varianced projector.
I know of a good Chinese company, run by a big ILDA member and little known on here, and according to a friend, very good quality - think Dt40 scanners and Kvant / CNI laser modules, swisslass dichros in adjustable mounts (at least in their better projectors), but unfortunately I doubt anything would be varianced for US use.
I guess then we'll throw out the variance requirement and go with... any thing that isn't built out of wood :) goes. I found some nice looking chinese made projectors on Ebay that fit the "commercially available entry level RGB analog modulated laser projector for general purpose use (beams and graphics)." definition, however I wanted to get some opinions of some professionals who had more experience than I.
The EBay (also available outside of Ebay) projectors started around $1400 US for less than a Watt and went up from there. Some of them for around $2000 had a very nice looking optics table and the pictures showed very nice looking color balance (and even come with a road case with wheels!).
So .. this Chinese company White-Light mentioned.. any links to the company or projector models?
Thanks!
I would be interested in this as well.
Since I sold my projector at selem.
Good to see you made it safely thru the hurricane chris.
Just an FYI if you are looking for less than a watt of color. I have done extensive testing with a 100mw Green module with a 250mw red module and a 445 module.
With the heatsinks you have now you would just need a red in a axis case and a green and use your blue you have now and 2 more flexmods.
I have a metal housing I could send you for shipping to build it in as well as a plate to mount things on.
So if you used norms driver board I gave you. all you need is to change out the blue resistor on his board. which right now is set for a 405nm diode. its preset for a 50mw green and a 250mw red.
I think you have scanners yes?
I am working on getting a bunch of red locs in axis cases in a trade so I could send you one.
let me know.
Len
Lenny,
I am really close to having a nice set of diodes. I just need a nice green @ 100 mW more or less (one that modulates nicely).
I wanted to explore how much will a "no-tinkering required" projector would cost. If it is around $2000 I will consider just buying one out right assuming it has nice modulation and a well balanced output. I have seen a bunch of projectors that seem to fit the bill, however I was hoping to draw on the experience of the forum members to single out a few that are worth the money.
All in all I will probably end up building one more anyways. I have a few 445 diodes and a "Loc" I bought at SELEM which is in a case and working. I just need a nice green that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. My current < 20 mW green modulates OK however it would be nice to have a better one... so I am on the lookout for one of those too. Hopefully around 80 mW I surmise.
Anyone else have any personal experience with buying a commercial projector?
AFAIK X-Laser only has TTL RGB's (title asks for analog)Quote:
Originally Posted by allthatwhichis
but if this if for your house, I would recommend you just build one... the process of building it will be very educational and will give you insight as to whats actually happening... me $0.02 :D
Actually I take back what I said above. I've just been to the company in Questions web site and it looks as if they've re-slanted their products towards the lower end of the market.
Their previous premium products appear to be gone and scanner speeds on the top models are now down to 20kps. No mention of what lasers or scanners are used other than to say on the model I looked at 640nm has also gone and 650nm seems to have replaced it. I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending products which appear to have been reduced in quality.
I'm guessing that maybe people aren't buying top end systems from China.
As I was just about to recommend them on here, and there's a lot of demand for cheaper but high quality systems amongst many people who come here, it seems like they've just scored a home goal!
One thing to remember, you cannot legally import a projector that does not comply with CDRH regulations. If you don't need to have a varianced projector, I.e. Only for private use, the most legit way to buy one is to get one from a US dealer.
I have built a few projectors and was hoping to find that there was the perfect one already made so I can concentrate on making shows and not on tinkering with the projector.
So I guess what I am reading is that there really isn't a straight forward answer. I will do some more research and post my findings. In the meantime... if you have purchased a projector please post it to this thread and give a ball park price if you are able to.
Thanks!
as an entry level projector, i would sugest, the x-laser skywriter RGB
x-laser doesnt do anolog modulation because "its brighter" as dan goldsmith told me, and thats what they want in his market.
the skywriter is a good 300 mw projector
if you want to go into 1 watt they also have a 1 wat rgb "X-Beam"
http://www.x-laser.com/displaylaser.fwx?laser=X-Beam RGB 1W&X-Laser=v44B32303
I have seen both these projectors live and both work quite well, the 300 mW got lost in the mix with all the other lgihts at DJ Expo but there both good products.
And also CT lasers is also a good place to look though i think there a little bit more expensive than x-laser but they do have anolog modulation.