Need help with a laser projector

[fomox]

Hello,
My dad have been asking me for months to get him a laser projector or scanner, i dont know what its called, the thing you can control using a computer.
The thing we want is a DIY kit, we will have no problem putting it togheter since he have worked years with small electronics.
3 colours would be really nice.
How much can i expect this to cost?

[allthatwhichis]

Hey Fomox, welcome to the obsession.

A full analog RGB projector, say 500mW, will probably set you back $2000.

$1000 - 100mW 473nm
$300 - 100mW 532nm
$300 - 400mW 660nm
$400 - 30k scanners

This is before a laser controller, or DAC, and software. Figure $500, atleast, for a "decent" controller and software.

These are all guesstimates; the laser prices may be off a bit, and that is if you do not want to build any of them yourself. (you can go, I will call it cheap, and build your own red and blu-ray lasers, but blue and blu-ray are a bit different) You can also use a soundcard DAC and several free software packages if you are REALLY into DIY stuff.

For perspective, I have about $8000 into my 1W RGB system with Pangolin Basic with LivePro set up, but I am not into DIY, and I bought a professional projector recently so I would stop killing components. I am now programming laser shows as opposed to building and re-building my laser projector. I get 1000% more satisfaction from making a new show than reviving my laser projector... It is all about your perspective.

Word of warning... get a good woman to keep this obsession in check.

[fomox]

Wow, This would probably be too much, I was hoping aboute 500$ for a cheap home DIY kit.
If i say only green colour and we got a laser allready, how much can i expect then?

[buffo]

Welcome to PhotonLexicon, fomox!

You can find affordable scanners for under $200 that will be suitable for beams and basic graphics. (ScanLSP 20's for example) You'll get some flicker with them, but for a first projector they'll be OK. And if you already have a green laser that supports modulation, you can use it to build a green-only projector. But you're still going to need a controller. A decent controller and software package is going to run you around $500 to $700. (Personally, I'd suggest the Pangolin FB3XE package for $595.)

However, if you absolutely can't afford that, there are some cheaper controllers out there that you may want to look into. You could get the Moncha controller for around $250 and then use Gary Harper's Spaghetti software (which I think is only $50 or so...), or you might want to look into Norm's Laser Show DAC, which comes in a DIY kit for around $125 or so.

The problem with going cheap is that you're probably going to outgrow the capabilities of a bargan controller fairly quickly, and then you have to spend even more money to upgrade. For example, I went through 4 different software packages before I settled on the Pangolin LD-2000 intro system. (Which is a little more than double the cost of the FB3XE, by the way.) That means I wasted a lot of money (and time) fooling around with inferior controllers and software. At the time I thought I was saving money, but it turns out I was mostly wasting it. This is why I (and many others) will recommend that you buy a really good controller right from the start. But that's not always an option, and we understand that.

What are you trying to do with the projector? What are your goals? Are you interested in graphics? What about full color? And is this a passing fancy, or is it something you (or your Dad) has dreamed about for a long time now? (It would be good to get your Dad signed up here so he can discuss this project too.)

Lasers are an expensive hobby, but the results are *very* satisfying. For the budget that Aaron (AllThatWhichIs) posted above (plus an LD-2000 intro system), you can create effects in your living room or basement that will rival the best shows you've ever seen at a rock concert or planetarium. Even with an FB3XE, you'll be able to do most of the same effects. You'll just have far fewer shows to choose from. (Unless you start making your own.)

Where are you located? We frequently hold "Laser Enthusiast's Meetings" around the world to get people together. We just had one in the UK, and a couple weeks before that there was one in North Carolina. The folks out west are trying to organize one for the California area to be held in September or October, and we're also thinking about having another one in Florida around that same time. So let us know where you are, and maybe we can point you to one of these events. At the very least, you might be able to meet with a member who is local to you. That would allow you to see what you're getting into!

Adam

[fomox]

Hell adam.
If the controller cost around 600$, that will say if we decide to build a better laser projector later we can just use the Pangolin FB3XE that you recommend and we wont need to buy a new one?
I have thought aboute a ScanLSP 20's and a dealextreme laser as they are cheap and we can upgrade to better later when we see that this is something for us.
But i dont want flicker, so i have also thought aboute the scanpro 30, 40 and 50, but again, the price.

In the start i could maby use this:
A scanpro20 http://lasershowparts.com/store/inde...d&productId=67
Norm's Laser Show DAC need a link for this to where i can buy it
35mW Green Laser Module (5V Input)http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10004
And spaghetti software.

That will cost me a total of 503$ + shipping.
I think that will be a fair price, or?

Ill give this link to my dad.
We live in a small town in Norway so i dont think there are actually many of us laserguys here, hehe

[buffo]

Hi Fomox;

I'm pretty sure there are a couple PhotonLexicon members in your area... You'd be surprised - we're all over the place!

As for the controller, yes - if you purchase the FB3XE (or even the LD-2000 Intro) now, you will be able to use it later when you upgrade your projector. The big issue is color control. You want to make sure that whatever controller you purchase supports analog modulation. (Both the FB3 and the LD-2000 do.) That will give you nearly unlimited color.

Some older controllers (like the Alphalite XC Pro, or Full Auto) only support TTL color control, which limits you to just 7 colors even if you have an RGB projector.

If you're looking at the ScanPro20 scanners, be sure to also look at the ScanLSP-20's. They are cheaper, and perform just as well. I recently posted a review of them here.

Norm has an updated controller he calls the "FrameStreamer". You can read more about it (and order one) on his website. The Mamba Black driver that it comes with will allow you to use it with the Spaghetti software if you want.

Adam

[fomox]

Hello again Buffo,
I live in a little town in moi rana so if someone is from there contact me!
I can also sometime come to Trondheim if someone is there too so just contact me!

Ill think ill stick with the ScanLSP-20 since its cheaper and I read your rewiev and I think that will be perfect as a starting laser.
I will still use the green 35mW dealextreme laser, and ill stick with FrameStreamer and the spaghetti software.
It will cost me aboute 470$ included shipping so i dont think its that bad for the price i will have to pay for it.
Ill post a worklog if we buy it and when we put it togheter

[allthatwhichis]

Now, Adam, help him with perspective. This is NOT a hobby that you can pick up and play with and set back down for something else... Or it isn't for most of us. What I posted in my reply is what you could probably become happy with, and not sit up and night wanting for more; as you might with what you are "planning" to buy... at first.

Consider this a... Bank Account Service Announcement.

I would at least add a cheap red (can be made for almost nothing if you are talented), a blu-ray (same as red), and some dichros and mounts for a small "full color" RBV. I am prejudice against mono-chrome... Personality flaw of mine.

[fomox]

Hmm, ok.
But again, the money it will cost us.
This will be something to play with in the winter and aint going to set up big shows and thigs like I have seen many of you do.
If we find out its that fun we will buy some better lasers and controllers and that and make a full colour laser scanner

[Doc]

As Allthat says; reclaimed dvd burner reds and violets can be had for pocket money and will transform the projector in to something beautifull.