Decent RGB laser to start with programming

[Thechild]

Hi,

I'm all new with lasers and I would like to start learning more about them and how to program them, so i was thinking about buying a 1 W RGB Laser to start with.
Since I'm almost completely inexperienced with Lasers I'd like to know what you think is a good laser to start out with.
I've been looking on some 1 W lasers and I was interested in this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1W-RGB-Anima...item4168358981

Since you get the Ishow software and cables and everything within one package.
So I was wondering if you could give me any tips on what I should buy so I wont buy something completely useless.
Would prefer within the $500-600 Range

Pontus

[mixedgas]

Ishow is pretty useless except for testing the projector. I would not waste my money on ISHOW.

I'm told some models of REKE are good for beginners and cost effective.

Steve

[db3306]

I guess you should go with pangolin quickshow or lsx if you want to learn to make shows, but your budget is not really enough for both the projector and the software.
This is and will probably be the most expensive hobby you ever got your mind into, and it won't stop with just a laser, there is always more and more.

May i ask you what kind of shows you want to make? Beamshows or Graphics or both?

[james]

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...-with-software

Talk to macostantini about the projector he got. It's right about in the price range you mentioned. I think he might wish he had gotten the next model up. But you can ask him about that!

James.

[Thechild]

I would like to learn how to make Beamshows at first then if I find that interesting then I'll probably invest more money into this and start learning Graphical ones.
Yeah, I've noticed that everything is really expencive.. Though If i'd buy the http://www.ebay.com/itm/1W-RGB-Anima...item4168358981 will the adapter i plugg into my pc work for another software? Or will I have to buy a special one for that software?

Pontus

[Thechild]

Went to their site though I didn't find any prices or anything just some information about their products, Do you know any resellers?

[james]

A very important factor in choosing both a projector and a controller DAC is whether or not each one is TTL or analog.

The lasers themselves might just come on or off and that's it; nothing in between. Or they might respond to a control voltage from 0 to +5V and produce a corresponding intensity, typically referred to as analog modulated.

The DAC can be either TTL or analog output as well.

Ultimately this determines the number and variety of colors the projector can produce. A TTL RGB laser can only make 7 different colors. An analog modulated projector can make thousands or more. Both the projector and the DAC need to be capable of analog modulation to get thousands of colors!

There really isn't a lot of difference between beam shows and graphics. They both require the same kind of vector art. One is projected on a screen and the other is observed in fogged air. You pretty much use the same skill set and equipment to make either one.

James.

[Thechild]

How can I know if a Projector is an Analog or an TTL? Didn't really say anything about that on Ebay, All the sites I've found actually selling lasers has been www.alibaba.com and Ebay.
I think I'll wait with buying a laser untill I have More knowledge and a better Budget
I'll keep on useing my little http://www.pixmania.se/se/se/1100089...star-fjar.html Laser for now

[swamidog]

assume the projector is TTL unless it specifically states analog.

How can I know if a Projector is an Analog or an TTL? Didn't really say anything about that on Ebay, All the sites I've found actually selling lasers has been www.alibaba.com and Ebay.
I think I'll wait with buying a laser untill I have More knowledge and a better Budget
I'll keep on useing my little http://www.pixmania.se/se/se/1100089...star-fjar.html Laser for now