Advice for first "decent" laser

[JimmyV]

Hi there My name is James and I am from sunny Brighton

I recently had my interest in lasers sparked when I saw an ad on ebay, so I purchased an 80mW red laser to see if I really am interested in it or not - just for fun (not arrived yet)

The one I bought is just a cheapy stand-alone (FXLAB Pulse 2) which will go back onto ebay when I am done with it and I either buy a decent laser, or not.

I have seen all of the ebay ads for the Laserworld lasers and also read (and seen) the reviews, both good and bad. With about £500 to spend, I know that I won't get a pro system with 50k scanners, but I don't want to buy a lemon either.

Got a couple of Q's I am hoping to answer...

Have Laserworld improved since a lot of their bad reviews? I mean, if I buy a CS-400G - will it really have a 300mW minimum power diode? (which is plenty enough power for me)

Is there another company that sells lasers to the spec stated and don't cost a kings ransom either?

Quality is important to me, and I know the rule of thumb - you get what you pay for. So I just wanted ask before I drop any money into something I will later regret buying. Single colour is fine for me, although I am open to a mixed colour laser.

Thanks in advance,
James

[Doc]

If you are looking to buy something budget and "off the shelf" check out NRG lasers on ebay. They're based in Manchester and the owner is a stand up guy that actually answers his phone and will give you honest advice. (I have no vested interest in NRG, just talking from experience).

Cheers, Doc

[Carl B]

Welcome to PL Jimmy V.

You may want to have a look at NRG lasers being sold by Laserknowhow on Ebay. I have never bought from them my self as I prefer to build my own projectors but I have read that another member of PL has bought from them and is quite happy with what he got for the money they spent. They are based in Manchester.

Carl

Edit : The PL member that has bought from NRG is DOC.

[Onge]

I have also bought 2 lasers from NRG (Laser Know How).

Garry is a stand up guy and can be trusted. I have dealt with him via ebay and outside of ebay and have no problems at all with the transactions.

I had a dead onboard dmx card on one of the lasers, sent him an e-mail and he just asked a couple of questions, just so he could identify which board it was and sent a replacement out straight away.
He also sent me a set of LP30 scanners, amps and power supply just for helping one of his customers out with a problem.

I also have no vested interest in his company but credit where it is due, his newer RGB lasers seem to be very good value for money and if the spec is to believed and I do not think he would try and pull the wool over peoples eyes, then very good value for money. I wish I had waited to get one of them, not that there is anythig wrong with what I have.

Onge (André)

[JimmyV]

Thanks for the input - much appreciated ;-)

I have had a look at his stuff, and it looks good. The 100mW green is about one of the only ones that I can afford, but still, I will have to wait and see. I am beginning to see the "quality over quantity" aspect and am ignoring the approach of Laserworld of doubling rated power specs.

[Doc]

You can be sure it will have at least 100milliwatts, as opposed to 100 who knows whats!

100 real milliwatts of green laser is surprisingly bright.

[Yag]

I've bought a couple of NRG lasers, for the price I paid, I really can't knock them, and I was impressed that they were supplied with a proper measured output reading, and HSE guidelines for safe usage.

They also had scan fail protect boards fitted, which again I was surprised to see on lasers in this price range.

So I'd reccomend them if you're after a real laser show on a budget!

[allthatwhichis]

Define a king's ransom... 10xs your budget or 100xs... What do you dream your goals will be in a year, two years. Think hard on this... If I knew today what I know now... I'd have two of what I have now...

[soforene]

...If I knew today what I know now... I'd have two of what I have now...

You mean you don't know now what you know today?

"MEDIC !!"
Another one's been sent over the edge by the new forum design !!

[keeperx]

im sorry, can you please question that phrase in the answer of a form?!