How do I find legit FDA approved lasers?

[Phredy1]

I am very interested in lasers, but a total newbie. I would like to buy something to play with and do some small shows, but everything I read warns to be positive what I buy is FDA approved.

There are tons of lasers at great prices on ebay, but I am almost positive they would be illegal in the USA.

Is there a list of dealers / laser manufactures that are legal to use in the USA? I can't find anything, and what I do find I am suspicious of as fraud.

Any ideas of legal and affordable lasers to purchase? ILDA 100mW green and maybe up to 500mW RGB is what I am looking for....

TIA

[laserist]

Don't buy anything above 5mw until you know enough to ask the right questions... I'm not trying to be a jerk (but I'll admit it's a common conclusion) - it's good advice. You don't need that much power to start learning. If you start with 500mw of rgb you'll be tempted to do something - and without some study - you won't know if it's a little stupid or a lot...

[gottaluvlasers]

Are you looking for complete systems? just the parts? do you have a REALISTIC budget? do you have any laser background? Do you have any electronics background? do you have a drill? are you 18? where in the states do you live?

help us help you...

-Marc

[Phredy1]

I am looking for a complete laser projector yes.

Realistic budget of $3,000 to $4,000 for a RGB if that is possible.

I presently have a 100mW DMX laser projector. A (cough...cough) ebay China laser.

As for electronics background, I am a licensed Ham Radio Operator and a computer tech.

A drill??? yes, I have lots of drills....

I am 54 and live in Washington state.

As for why the FDA compliant question, I want to do this for a hobby - for now. I would like to learn as much as possible, and learn programing IDLA shows. For now I am looking at Fiesta.net via ethernet and see how that works. I have no plans to get a new projector and run out and do shows, with no idea wtf I am doing. Maybe someday when I get good at it....

FYI, I could buy another cheap ILDA China laser, but "IF" I ever decide to do anything other than personal, I want to be not only good, but legal. I might as well start now with a decent projector, and not throw away good money on something like a Laserworld or similar, and end up with a useless paperweight in 2 months.

As for building / getting inside the cases of laser projectors, that is not anything that interests me - at the moment. Maybe as time goes on I might think more about that.

No one I know is born knowing how to do any of this. I want to learn, but do it right.

[gottaluvlasers]

ok phredy-

NOW we're getting somewhere!

first off, WELCOME to the forum. Any one here is willing to help anyone pretty much. you got a bunch of great guys and gals here willing to share their expertise, opinions, experience and knowledge with just about anyone wanting to soak it all in.

Realistic budget of $3,000 to $4,000 for a RGB if that is possible

Yes, and No. Is it practical for an "ok" projector to have some basic fun with and learn with. ABSOLUTELY. is it enough to perform a "Laser light show" that a crowd will "oooh" and "Aaaaah" at?? Probably not.

that budget will get you some relatively lower powered lasers and some hobby level scanners. nothing wrong with that as long as you know that you arent going to be blowing peoeple out of their seats with bright, awe-inspiring Laser beams. it will get you cheapo e-bay lasers thrown together and designed more as "Toys."

As for why the FDA compliant question, I want to do this for a hobby - for now

FDA/CDRH has no jurisdiction what you do in your own private residence for youself. If you started doing shows at your house (with an audience present), well NOW you have a compliance issue to adhere to. And cheapo E-baysers and 99% of ANY, i REPEAT, ANY import Laser system IS NOT FDA/CDRH complaint. if their ebay ad says it is compliant i will pretty much guarantee that they are full of BS.

FYI, I could buy another cheap ILDA China laser, but "IF" I ever decide to do anything other than personal, I want to be not only good, but legal.

than you dont want a e-bay laser toy. i would reccomend purchasing the components as you save the money and doing it the RIGHT way from the begining.

I might as well start now with a decent projector, and not throw away good money on something like a Laserworld or similar, and end up with a useless paperweight in 2 months.

AMEN to THAT!!!

No one I know is born knowing how to do any of this. I want to learn, but do it right.

ABSOLUTELY correct!!! Ask 10 questions, ask 10,000 questions here!! no question is too silly or too trivial to ask. TRUST ME!!!

Just keep in mind-

a pre-assembled projector is going to take TONNNNNNS of work by you to get it compliant for variancing. if you build it yourself, #1- you learn as you go. #2- yo uknow you will be compliant. #3- you know you are getting quality. #4- it will always be upgradeable to something bigger and better!!

hope some of this helps you. Like i said and others will say, ask whatever is on your mind!

-Marc

[ElektroFreak]

If you have a Chinese laser already and you want to get a variance, you could tear it down and rebuild it up to standard and get it FDA approved yourself I believe.. paperwork and red tape might be a huge pain, though.

[mixedgas]

If you have a Chinese laser already and you want to get a variance, you could tear it down and rebuild it up to standard and get it FDA approved yourself I believe.. paperwork and red tape might be a huge pain, though.

Nope you just need to "blackbox" it. I'll explain later.

If your projector is light tight and well built (ie removing the lid doesn't wear it out, its not that hard.
It just takes writing a report and filling out a form. The office in charge of forms for the feds (OMB) estimates 7 hours. So you'll spend 10 if you haqve some help. You can spend half that time at the DMV getting plates each year.

Steve

[Phredy1]

Thanks all for the info.

The laser I have now is only DMX. It is not worth the trouble to get to standards.

Marc's comments got me thinking of building something. In reading the forum here and looking at pics of other people's projects, my first thought is "without a ton of help and stupid questions here, I have no hope of building anything workable".

In parts, how much money would I have to invest to build a decent low power RGB system? Is it a matter of just buying parts and a case and putting them all together, or do I need a machine shop and a PHD degree?

From what I read, Kvant systems are good. Can someone comment on this price list I found:
http://www.synchrovision.eu/pricelist.pdf
The first RGB (RGB-500D) is shown as 2760. I am guessing that is in British Pounds. Converted to USD that is still close to my budget limit. It is shown as a 500mW, but my math adds up to 600 from the ppm.

Thanks all
Gene

[soforene]

The projector you specified is an RGV (violet) and not a "true Blue".

There is a difference .................

You'd also need to add VAT and delivery to those prices.

[VJ AIWAZ]

http://www.taiserver.com


check out Technological Artisans Dan can help get what you want and will be 100% legal

john