Advice on buying a laser

[anderino]

Hi Guys,
I have been reading this forum for some time now and can see that a lot of your really know your stuff.

I was wondering if you could let me know if there is anywhere in the UK that I could get something like this at about the same price?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/190mw-RGY-cart...3A2%7C294%3A50

Cheers

[300EVIL]

Hi Anderino,
Welcome to PL!
As long as you understand, "you get what you paid for". Then the projector may be good enough for you. However, you may find you'd get bored of this toy quickly and want to move to something better. Thus, the money spent was not worth the payoff in fun.

Here's a video of one of our members quality projectors playing a quality show. You wouldn't even come close to this kind of an output (power and resolution) with that toy on ebay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvvT7...e=channel_page

Now this projector is a $12K Kvant projector. However, Most of us here build our own projectors and can put together something close to this quality for around $2000 - $5K. If you have any electrical knowledge and some common sense, building your own is definitely a good option. Plus, you can upgrade as you go.
Good Luck!
Adam

[anderino]

Thanks Adam, That is pretty fantastic, I would love to have that kit and I totally agree with you, what I can afford isn't going to be great, but its all I can afford so its that or nothing, the misses would kill me for spending 1000's lol!

Unfortunantly making one myself isn't an option, I would DEFINITELY
blow myslef up!!

[300EVIL]

Well, I believe there are a few PL members in your area who would most likely be glad to help you construct a projector. You'd not only meet some interesting people but also learn some stuff as well. You can get into this hobby for under $500, Just start off with some halfway decent galvos and a green DPSS laser off of ebay and maybe an audio card based DAC. You'd them be way ahead of the cheapo boxes you see on ebay. Either way, Come to the next laser meet in the UK even if you don't have a projector or just an ebay special. I'm sure you'll be amazed and most likely addicted after that experiance.

[anderino]

You know what Adam, I think you're right. I should get someone to build me something rather than get that off of eBay.
Do you know where I could post a request for this service?
Thanks

[300EVIL]

You just did my friend! I'm sure someone local to you will chime in.

[andy_con]

errr... is this where i say im also from essex?

[anderino]

Hello Andy!
Do you make them by any chance?
Where abouts in Essex?

[andy_con]

www.laser-man.co.uk

braintree

[Kiwi Tinker]

Man, i know i go against the grain here, but recommend buying the chinese laser, i mean for a paltry $US290 you get an intro into lasers. I mean the things got an ILDA plug ffs.Hell i'll even sell you my Ishow shoftware and device for $US70. I'm sure you could always sell the thing for close to what you payed for it if it's not for you.

Big lasers can be testing, my $US5K laser is currently being used as a paper weight due to a malfunctioning dongle (here's your chance Laserworld, make me happy you f*****s).

I suggest even if no-one else here does, starting small and if you really like it, then going further, i'm sure there's plenty of people here that will help you out if you want to take it to the next level and beyond.

I think lasering is a great hobbie, we live in a time when there's constant technological advances. And every year your dollar produces more laser power and speed then the year before. Awesome.

The thing i love about lasering is it produces 'real' feelings in people. I love firing up my biggie and see genuine emotion in people looking at it. It's art at a human level. My whole life i've look for somewhere to express myself artistically and i think i've found it here. Every single beam is there because i put it there.

Cheers

Tinker