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Thread: New Laser Entusiast

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    Smile New Laser Entusiast

    Hello,
    My name is Eric and I have been to a bunch of different events whether it be music festivals or some other events that use lasers and I'm always fascinated by the way they look and what they can do by creating such a visual experience.
    I was looking into buying a some of the powerful lasers and was wondering if there was a list of legal companies to buy from and what are the steps to operating lasers? Classes or training? Also I was looking at the RTI Lasers and was wondering what people thought of those?

    Thank you for all the help and I look forward to contributing in the future

  2. #2
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    Aug 2013
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    Hi Eric, welcome to PL!

    Man, you've got a ride ahead of you Lasers are awesome and addictive!

    I've seen Mr Briggs' RTI Pikos at the UKLEM and they are very nice bits of kit indeed! One day maybe, one day.

    The US guys will give you advice on playing with Lasers over there. It's a bit more complex than in the UK and Europe.

    Enjoy your stay

    Keith

  3. #3
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    I'll start the list with the obvious name: X-Laser

  4. #4
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    Lightbulb

    Hi Eric, Welcome to PL..

    Quote Originally Posted by want2belaserguy View Post
    ...I was looking into buying a some of the powerful lasers... Classes or training? ...
    Woah there, lil' dogie!.. First, please read all the 'links' / info in this thread: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...276#post283276 (..since I don't have the time to re-type it all out..

    ..Then, as with 'Anth', there.. Let's chat. I've got a RT-drive down to LAX on Thurs, (tomorro..) about 12-12:30 PST, and, since yer in SD, I'm sure you 'know' the 405 so, that means a fair-bit of time to chat... as long as you don't mind the car phone and a bit of cussing-out the signal-clueless lane-skankers once in awhile.. jk..

    Again, Welcome, and will look forward to the chat..
    cheers..

    j
    ....and armed only with his trusty 21 Zorgawatt KTiOPO4...

  5. #5
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    Feb 2014
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    San Diego, CA
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    Default

    Thanks for the replies!
    Love the info, and I will be trying to gather more of it up! anymore info is always awesome!

    Eric

  6. #6
    Bradfo69's Avatar
    Bradfo69 is offline Pending BST Forum Purchases: $47,127,283.53
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    Welcome to PL. Kiss ANY hope of financial solvency goodbye and be prepared for the ride of your life. Seriously. This is NOT an inexpensive endeavour. If I knew then what I know now, I would have spent my money going to every scheduled LEM (Laser Enthusiest Meeting) around the world that they hold on here and enjoyed the "fix" of the pretty lights on someone elses dime. And have spent time with a LOT of facinating, funny and intelligent people in the process.

    Minimal kidding aside, the most important thing you can do before removing the wallet from your back pocket is research, research, research. Talk to people, read, and try to go see some gear before plunging into the abyss. Things you buy for $1,000 today will be worth $200 a year from now and you need to be able to accept that.

    You are in the USA so, as had been mentioned, things are a little different here than the rest of the "free world". (Wait a minute... wasn't that supposed to be US???) Get information on the rules and regulations governing the use of lasers as well. If it's something you want to pursue for public performance than you're going to get into things like "variances" and legal equipment. As has been mentioned, X-Laser is going to be tops on your list to begin looking at. Check out their web site. Watch their videos. There are not a plethora of sources for which you seek. Yes, there are other companies that build and sell legal varianced equipment and can help you along the way (such as dsli_jon above) or CT Lasers and some others (many with stratosphere pricing) but, X-Laser has really perfected things for the "just getting into the hobby" individuals, and can continue to help with more sophisticated things as you grow. (Be sure you're looking at X-Laser USA in Laurel, MD and not X-Laser in China - there is NO relation.)

    I'll qualify the above by saying I don't work for X-Laser and don't own any X-Laser gear... yet. (I did things perhaps the wrong way.) But, I know the people (they're members on the forum). I've been to their operation and they too have visted my facility. They're worth a look and you won't go "wrong".

    There are an awful lot of people here who are on the opposite spectrum who dabble in the hobby for their own enjoyment in the privacy of their own home. They like to build their own toys, tear them down and re-build them again. They'll measure and test and measure and test to find the near perfect piece of glass or, design the most efficient circuit. They like creating things with CNC machines, blobs of solder, and old video game equipment so they can build a better, more satisfying mousetrap. I don't know if you're handy with tools or electronics but there is an awful lot of that here that goes on as well. And for that, the whole variance thing doesn't really apply. It really boils down to your aspirations.

    Anyway... welcome aboard. It's a wild ride!

  7. #7
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    That should be stickied Brad.
    “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch

    "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    ― Benjamin Franklin; stairwell plaque in the Statue of Liberty

    "And so shines a good deed in a weary world." - Willy Wonka

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  8. #8
    Bradfo69's Avatar
    Bradfo69 is offline Pending BST Forum Purchases: $47,127,283.53
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    Thanks! I thought it was one of my more well written musings! LOL

  9. #9
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    Welcome to PL Eric! Lasers are fun, dangerous, and expensive They can produce beautiful works of light/art, blind eyes permanently, and drain your wallet (as mentioned above). Enjoy the ride !!! (We do preach safety quite a bit here especially for newcomers) .. Anyway, Welcome and hope you enjoy your stay here !

  10. #10
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    Hi Eric,

    You came to the right forum. The people here are very helpful and have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. That being said, you want to try to refrain from asking questions that may have been thoroughly discussed in one of the topical areas of this forum. I would recommenced spending time (several weeks to months), reading through the topics. And then, when you have exhausted the search engine and are not able to find an answer to a question you are seeking, post it in the appropriate area. You will also need to have a focused interest in mind. For example, "I want to own and operate a gas laser." Or, "I want to build my own laser projector." Otherwise, you will spend a lot of spinning your wheels with no real results. Welcome to our world!

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