Need some help looking for 612nm, and an introduction.

[aryntha]

First off, I want to get off on the right foot here so - an introduction. I'm noticing a lot of crossover names from "other" light/laser forums I'm on; I was always a bit nervous about registering on PL due to the intimidation factor...

First of all, I'm not a laser professional; I am just a hobbyist and experimenter. So now that that's out of the way, hopefully I can put this out there:

I've been looking for a 612nm HeNe, and, (of course) it's not been easy. Just finishing up recently with the horror that seems to be "buying lasers on eBay", I ended up $300 poorer and with a laser tube that was cracked in shipping. (Was a Melles Griot LOR Self Contained, dead power supply, cracked tube.) So far, not so good. (I think I've sworn off eBay for gas laser purchases from here forward, as I also ended up with a non-working ArIon multiline that same week.)

So I've decided to kick it up a notch if possible, and I'm trying to find out if anyone else has any knowledge about these impossible to find lasers:

A) Has anyone around here had any direct experience with REO? This is my primary question right now, as it's the most frustrating one. I'm local to them, but, I've been trying for a full week now, of emails and voicemails (none of them returned) to simply get a price for one of their LHOP-0201 or LHOR-0250 612nm HeNe heads. I'm presuming by their responsiveness (or lack thereof) that they have no interest whatsoever in selling individual lasers to, well, individuals? Can anyone tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree there? Yes, I expect a HeNe head from them to be expensive, but, I'm not exactly looking for a bargain, I'm looking for a laser.

B) Even 594 and 543nm HeNe's seem to still be relatively available. Is this because these wavenelgths had more uses than 612nm?

C) Does anyone but REO even make them anymore? JDSU seems not to, MG seems not to.

and,

D) If anyone in this community does have one for sale, well... the followup is obvious.

...Anyways, My interest does run the gamut quite a bit so joining up on PL was twofold; to put out feelers for information on this rare bird, and to break the ice and get involved in another laser resource/community online.

Anyhow, hopefully this wasn't too much trouble and I pre-apologize for any "stupid questions!" - I'm willing to listen and learn here.

Thanks for your time.

[mixedgas]

I've never had talking problems with REO, your are probably talking to the wrong person(s).
first rule though, your never a hobbyist when you talk to a corporation.

Steve

[aryntha]

Hmm. I've been calling "Helium Neon Sales". I just figured honesty would be the best policy; I really do want to buy one of their products.

But I suppose I may have done myself in by mentioning that on one of the voicemails, flagging me as "permanently ignore".

Well, maybe a re-approach is in order, if at all possible. Thanks for the advice though, I'll give it a shot; and if I've ruined my capability to be taken seriously with them by mentioning the word 'hobbyist' I'll try to get someone else to interface with them. I work for a firm that does signal processing; perhaps that sort of corporate approach would be in order. (Though they'll likely figure it out -- I'm not sure how many people call about 612nm lasers.)

Odd that they'd be so resistant to a sale, unless, I suppose, selling one unit simply wouldn't be profitable for them or worth their time. (Which is what it's beginning to look like.)

[aryntha]

Well, just got through: Response was rather curt:

"We no longer offer our 612nm lasers."

Interesting. Could have just been a brushoff, or, it could mean that nobody is making 612nm HeNe lasers anymore.

[allthatwhichis]

I want a 612nm HeNe myself but I don't think I am willing to spend much more than I did for my 594nm yellow... that I actully got from Steve and is probably my favorite laser. If you get any leads let us know; I am sure others here would like to add an orange HeNe to their collections.

[aryntha]

I want a 612nm HeNe myself but I don't think I am willing to spend much more than I did for my 594nm yellow... that I actully got from Steve and is probably my favorite laser. If you get any leads let us know; I am sure others here would like to add an orange HeNe to their collections.

Thanks

And I WILL be looking, and will let folks know if I find anything... I'm on a quest now.

[ElektroFreak]

best of luck in your search! I've had that issue with laser companies myself.. To me, business is about making money, no matter who's buying or how trivial the sum. This does not apply to laser companies. I guess they're so well off with the comparatively few "professionals" making high-dollar sales that they don't want our money. Weird way to do business, IMO, but that's how it is.

[aryntha]

That is REALLY how it felt when talking to REO. That getting me off the phone was much more important than making one sale. (Which I'm sure they've got a hefty profit margin on...)

I'm considering having a friend come in as a corporate represenative and ask for pricing on a 10 piece order, and see if they respond "we don't offer them anymore" to that. And then perhaps talking to other folks who may be interested.

[ElektroFreak]

That is REALLY how it felt when talking to REO. That getting me off the phone was much more important than making one sale. (Which I'm sure they've got a hefty profit margin on...)

So what's wrong with having an even heftier one? That's what I want to know. I know how much I hate making hefty profits..

Most sensible businesses I know of would rather try to make a sale than run a prospective customer off rudely. But hey, if these companies really don't want my money, that's just fine by me. I certainly don't mind keeping it in my wallet or giving it to someone that actually understands business.

I'm considering having a friend come in as a corporate represenative and ask for pricing on a 10 piece order, and see if they respond "we don't offer them anymore" to that. And then perhaps talking to other folks who may be interested.

Let us know how that goes..

[allthatwhichis]

I submitted an inquiry for 10 at directindustry.com. Looks like they go through REO as they have the same part number you are looking for listed.