Visiting OptLaser and GoldenStar factories, looking for advice.

[edwn]

Hi all! I'm from Australia but I'm currently in Shenzhen so figured I'd visit their factories / showrooms.

I'm mainly looking to get my hands on a pair of indoor lasers (3-6W) for home use, but I'm considering starting a laser business in the future hence interested to find some good units. The lasers will be used for EDM shows only, no graphics work.

My plan is to bring my own FB4 and laptop, and a few test patterns to judge the beam, scanners, modulation etc for the lasers.

Few questions:
- For low powered indoor lasers, how do we feel about OPT vs GS?
- Any upgrades that might be worth it, say the DT 40 wide?
- For my use case, what specs matter the most? Will there be a noticeable difference between the 2 companies?
- Any other companies worth looking out for?
- Anything else I should do when visiting?

Thanks, Ed

[mixedgas]

Take home a spare pair of galvos and amps that exactly match what is in your new projectors. Overscan kills Galvos because the Chinese set up everything as wide as possible, for them that is a feature, not a bug, for most users, the ability to drive the scanners to the mechanical stops or to hit the position sensor block is a fatal error. Also, the Chinese often change Galvo Mount bolt patterns, so it helps to have a spare that drops in.

Digital laser diode drivers rock. Far better color. Buy three or four, not two. If you want to make a profit you need matched pairs stage left and stage right. Also buy at 10 watts minimum.


Steve