Newbie wanting to buy first RGB Laser Projector, advice please :)

[laser-guy]

Hello all , I'm wanting to build or buy my first RGB Laser Projector, I've been interested in them for a few years now, just as a simple hobby. I purchased a 100mw Green DPSS Laser Module a few years back with the intention of building a Projector, but never got round to it. The module now sits in a box unused. I don't want to spend very much as this is my first Projector and I realize it not a cheap hobby.

I don't need super fast Galvos, or watts and watts of Laser power. I figured I could always upgrade parts in the future if I need to etc.

I found two Projectors on eBay that I'm interested in, and that are reasonably priced. The first is 500mw and the second is 1000mw both RGB with ILDA Inputs.

Please could someone experienced take a look at these for me and tell me what they think. I understand that the parts inside them may not be high quality, but its a first Projector.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-500mW...a7c45d450#shId

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1000mW...item3ccccdcb29


Thanks in advance

[james]

The first thing I notice is that only the green laser is truly DPSS.

They seem to think all of them are. The red and the blue are just plain diode lasers.

Other than that the smaller one says it has a 650nm red and the larger one has a 635nm red.

The 635 will appear much brighter even at the same output power.

I also do not see any information about how the lasers are modulated. Are they TTL or analog?

If TTL then you only get 7 color combinations.

James.

[tribble]

Hi laser-guy, welcome to PL!

I am not exceptionally experienced, but I can see that the ebay seller there really has no idea what he's selling. The descriptions are all over the map and might apply to an entire collection of different DJ lighting equipment, but the specs can't all apply to the items listed. I would take your time and keep shopping. There are many Chinese projector manufacturers, and most of them are best avoided. Go into the buying/selling area of the forum and look for reviews of the less questionable sources. Often the vendors participate in those threads. Don't take the prices on the websites at face value. Private Message (PM) the contacts here for current/better pricing information. Often they will swap parts out to your spec as well, so if you see something close to what you want but it has better [galvos/lasers/optics/mounts/controllers] than you want, I'm sure you can get them to put in something cheaper for you.

You posted ebay.uk links, so I assume you are in the UK. If you fill in your location info someone closer to you can give you better advice, maybe even hook you up with local photon phanatics for good deals on used stuff or good references for local suppliers.

BE SAFE and have fun!

[Rizard]

What is your budget? Ik have an rgb projector that i like to sell. It was an gtech green but i placed a red/blue module in it and dt30 scanners.
Powers are:
Red: 300mW 638nM
Green: 180mW (original module, maybe an idea for the future to replace but good for now!)
Blue: 600mW 445nM

Here is my thread about it:
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...-RGB-Projector

Just a tought maybe we can help each other out

Best regards,

Richard

[laser-guy]

What is your budget? Ik have an rgb projector that i like to sell. It was an gtech green but i placed a red/blue module in it and dt30 scanners.
Powers are:
Red: 300mW 638nM
Green: 180mW (original module, maybe an idea for the future to replace but good for now!)
Blue: 600mW 445nM

Here is my thread about it:
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...-RGB-Projector

Just a tought maybe we can help each other out

Best regards,

Richard

Thanks, I will PM you now.

[laser-guy]

I was only looking to spend around £400 on a Projector, as it will be my first one, and I'm totally new to this

[Bradfo69]

The one bit of advice I always have to pass along is that, this is NOT an inexpensive hobby and very much one where you get what you pay for. I know you mentioned you realize that. It is entirely too easy to waste money on things that quickly become unsatisfactory so, be very careful in what you select. Set your sights just a bit higher in terms of price and cut down on the amount of buyers remorse you could very well experience. I know you're new to this and 400 pounds may seem like a lot - and it is - but, where lasers are concerned, many of us have spent that much on just the case it goes in, as we know the problems encountered with cheaper cases. Sorry... it's just a reality.

As has been suggested, many of the chinese offerings on eBay leave a lot to be desired. There are some exceptions and ones that stand out a little. A number of people have been impressed with the REKE 500RGB and really, for what you get, they're seriously not bad. Yes, they are TTL so colors are limited and yes, the galvos are only 10 and sometimes have turn up being 15k but, they're not awful. You may very well need to tweak something right out of the shipping box though, which could be difficult if you're new and don't know what you're looking at or how to fix it. You will also find the cheaper units hard to upgrade so, look at this as a "one and done" purchase.

Another source that's developing a nice reputation here is Goldenstar Lasers. Since you said you are looking to spend "pounds" I'll assume you're in the UK and, there are a TON of great people on here that may very well not be far from you that can help you out one on one and show you what to look for. They also hold LEM's (laser enthusiest meetings) on weekends a couple times a year which would be an invaluable experience and a lot of fun.

Kiss whatever idea you have of saving money goodbye. It's a wild ride.

[Song]

" I figured I could always upgrade parts in the future if I need to etc."
I think you are looking for a very good housing.
Diode and scanner inside are not so important for you at least now.

You can try to find a good house for the fiirst step.

[rodman1369]

Look at the Reke 500RGB
http://www.lasersman.com/laser-light...nm-blue-laser/

Just a thought...I Love Mine...
It IS a beginner's Laser....but does the job for a starter learning tool if coupled with the right software...such as Pangolin Quickshow or others mentioned on this site and others...