Portable Handheld Lasers - The Laser Pointer Buying Experience That Burned Us All

Hand held lasers are by far the most practical form of technology, and for good reason. The small size makes the lasers very convenient and portable in size, so taking the pointers into the field to conduct research has been gaining popularity amongst many astronomers as well as medical and military professionals. But not all portable handheld units are worth buying, often times, the products have been manufactured rather cheap and can burn out far faster than a high quality device should. There have been stories of expensive laboratories experiencing major problems with the cheap laser pointers they had acquired, if you want to ensure that the hand held unit you buy is worth using, there are a few key pointers to keep in mind.

First, what exactly are you looking to accomplish with your portable handheld laser pointer? Does the beam need to output over any set distance? What color frequency are you looking for and how much output power does your application require? These are all simple questions that you may want to answer before you start looking to shop for a portable pointer. Lasers are high-tech gadgets that can come with a hefty price tag, be sure that you are ready to do a little bit of research into any hand held module before you order one from a retailer. All portable lasers are not created equal! A little bit of knowledge about any particular handheld unit can not hurt your situation, in fact the more you know about the diode, casing, expected life time, etc., the better off we will be when we are looking to buy lasers.

There is a lot we can do to ensure that our purchasing experience does not leave us shocked or embarrassed in any way. You may have heard horror stories about hobbyists who would turn to eBay to buy their laser pointers, looking to save a few dollars here and there. The problem with this was that the units being sold on eBay turned out to be the lowest quality laser diodes available anywhere. There have been reports of people receiving completely broken pointers, or even worse, not receiving anything at all. When you look to save a few pennies, be sure that you are not buying something from a teenager in their basement with an eBay seller account, you will get burned! Your best bet whenever looking for any variety of handheld portables, or even industrial laser modules for that matter, is to work with a reputable retailer who specializes in the specific type that you are looking for.

More often than not, you will find that the cheapest laser pointer available is not going to be the best deal. These consistently burn out far quicker than the company had advertised, and usually a little rain or a drop of water will ruin the product for eternity. This is why its so important to know where your purchase is coming from, do a little research on the provider you are looking to work with. Are they visible anywhere on the search engines, like Google? How does their pricing compare to that of competing laser companies? Do they provide any support, in other words, can you get questions that you have answered?

High power portable lasers are investments, be sure that you are securing your investment with laser warranties and a high quality laser retailer with search engine recognition and various methods of customer service. Do not be afraid to ask the laser company a question or two, if you are going to buy lasers from them, be sure you are dealing with individuals who know what they are talking about. A few simple precautions along with a few Google searches can teach us a lot about any laser model or particular company. If you are serious about buying portable hand held lasers, do yourself a favor and look into the laser source as well as the model that intrigues your interest. A good laser should last for a life time of enjoyment.

James has been working with both high power portable lasers as well as lower power handheld laser pointers. He has tested hundreds of laser varieties and worked with various laser manufacturers and retailers. His preferred laser resource is Big Lasers who specialize in providing professional grade portable handheld lasers

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5 Things You Should Never Do With a Laser Pointer, Portable Laser Or Even a Laser Module

1 Look directly down the laser

Some people out of curiosity, trying to fix a fault or just out of sheer stupidity will look down a laser into the lens where the laser beam comes out. I don't care whether your finger is off the on button, you've taken the batteries out or if the guts of laser are spread all over your work bench, you NEVER look down a laser. You would never look down the barrel of a rifle and in the same way you should never look down the laser.

Most eye injuries with portable lasers have occurred when some one was looking down their laser thinking it was safe. A classic case was when a laser enthusiast looked down their laser when cleaning the lens only to realize too late that they forgot to take the batteries out. That person now has a permanent blind spot in their eye.

2 Point the laser at aircraft

This looks like a very obvious not to do with a laser but judging from the amount of people out there pointing lasers at aircraft, it is not obvious enough.

Apart from the safety and hazard issues involved, pointing lasers at aircraft is a federal offence in just about every country. So if you want to end up in federal penitentiary breaking rocks for the next 10 to 20 years, please go ahead and be my guest.

If there is one thing that sensible laser enthusiasts hate, it is people who point lasers at aircraft. Not only is it dangerous and incredibly stupid, it is also responsible for over regulating portable lasers to a point where the hobby may not have a legal future.

3 Point the laser at people

Another obvious "not to do with a laser" that too many people out there don't seem to understand. High power lasers are dangerous to your eyes so if you point a laser at some one, there is a chance you will injure their eyes. It is that simple.

Sure you might just be pointing the 500mW laser pointer that can light cigars at their hand, the back of their head or on the bridge of their nose where every one knows is safe. What happens though if they move, your hand slips, some one bumps you or any one the many things that can go wrong do go wrong? What happens is in that one split second you are responsible for that person losing partial to complete vision in that eye.

4 Use the wrong equipment or method to clean the lens

The most common cause for damage to laser pointers and even laser modules (apart from being dropped) is people clean the lens incorrectly. The lens in lasers is a precise and delicate optics that is easily damaged so great care needs to be taken when cleaning them. There are a lot of methods for cleaning lens ranging from tissues and t-shirts to microfiber and lens pens.

The only completely safe methods of cleaning laser lens is to gently blow compressed air on the lens and to use professional optics cleaning tools such as lens pens. If you do use some material such as cotton buds, make sure you also use a fluid such as lens cleaning fluid. Cleaning the lens when they are dry will just cause dust on the lens to scratch them.

5 Modify lasers

Modifying a laser is when you use one of several methods to increase the power to the laser diode so the laser beam has more power. All lasers, whether they are laser pointers or laser modules can be modified and it sounds like a very cheap way to get a high power laser.

The problem with modifying lasers is that lasers are not designed to handle the increased power levels and modifying them will normally damage or destroy the lasers in a matter of minutes. If you don't mind ruining your laser or you are interesting in modifying your laser as an experiment, go ahead. If on the other hand you've spent several hundred hard earned dollars to buy your laser, leave it as it is.

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Frank is from Dragonlasers - No 1 for Laser Modules , Portable Lasers & Laser Safety Glasses

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The Top 5 Uses For Laser Pointers and Portable Lasers

One of the most common questions people will ask you if you own a laser pointer or a portable laser is "what do you use it for?". The more expensive your laser is, the more likely and incredulously they are to ask you this question.

This question is really annoying to laser owners so to avoid getting on the wrong side of an aggravated laser wielding geek or hobbyist, you can read below the 5 top uses for laser pointers and portable lasers.

Lasers vary in size, power, color, functionality and cost but their uses are very consistent.

1 - Fun

No matter what excuses or glorified reasons a person gives you for using their deluxe $500 laser pointer, the honest truth is that top reason for using it will be fun. Fun melting credit cards, putting holes in their and other peoples clothing, fun lighting cigarettes, fun impressing their friends and fun in many other forms. Lets face it, what is not fun about a laser that can light matches and project a beam that goes for miles?!

Using lasers for fun is not just restricted to the young. Many professionals and retirees spend big on high power lasers that despite their profuse excuses, are only just for fun. The main difference is young kids understand how lasers work, their limitations and what can and cannot do with lasers. Where as the older crowd end up getting themselves into all manner of strife.

2 - Pointing at things

Using laser pointers to point at things might seem like stating the obvious but most lasers now are not used for normal pointing because they are too powerful and dangerous. The lower powered lasers (5-10mW or less) are still used for presentations, classes, and meetings. Higher powered lasers are also used by professionals such as engineers on building sites, surveyors and arborist.

3 - Astronomy

Lasers are great for astronomy because they allow a completely clueless person to point a laser at the night sky and look like they know what they are doing. They also make you indispensable to your local astronomy group. It is very easy to tell the difference between some one who uses a laser for astronomy and some one uses astronomy as an excuse to play with their laser. The astronomer will have a laser with around 30 to 40mW power at the most not a 200mW plus finger of death laser that can start fires.

4 - Experiments

No matter whether you are just lining up a few mirrors, testing wave propagation theories or the refractive index of glass samples, lasers are great for experiments. This is one of the best excuses for convincing parents to pay for or allow them children to have lasers.

5 - Laser Shows

There is just something so compelling and fascinating about laser beams the makes laser shows such an attraction. Many laser enthusiasts once they move on from the burning phase, start making laser shows. Laser shows can vary anywhere from pointing a couple of lasers at a diffraction grating and feeling very impressed with your self to elaborate gigs using thousands of dollars in laser modules, optics, controllers and electronics.

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Frank is from Dragonlasers - No 1 for Laser Modules, Portable Lasers & Laser Safety Glasses

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High Power Laser Pointer & Portable Laser Applications

"A solution looking for a problem" - Charles H. Townes on the application of lasers.

Since lasers were developed, they have had numerous applications in a number of diverse fields. Listed here are just some of the application for high power laser pointers and portable lasers.

Astronomy

With a brilliant beam stretching for miles into the night sky, high power green and red laser pointers are excellent tools for astronomy. Easy and quick identification and pin pointing stars and other celestial bodies. No need for difficulties, frustration or wasted time pointing with your finger or trying to explain. A laser pointer can be used to identify and pinpoint any object in just a few seconds.

High power portable lasers can also be mounted on telescopes as a visual indicator of where the telescope is pointing. Portable laser is also ideal for mounting on GOTO mounts/telescopes to help direct other people with telescopes and binoculars to an object. With no duty cycle, an on/off switch and very durable construction, a portable laser can be both conveniently and easily mounted on almost any make of telescope and used by hand.

Red light is scattered less by the atmosphere than green light because red light has a longer wave length making green lasers more visible and suitable for astronomy. The light from green lasers also has the advantage of being the wavelength that our eyes are most sensitive to.

Most cheap low powered laser pointers are not effective to be used in astronomy. The beam from these lasers is too weak and easily obscured by ambient light, smog and fog. The beams from high power laser pointers will easily be visible at night in the worst of conditions with the higher powered models even being visible during the day. Perfect for dawn and dusk astronomy.

Photography

Lasers are visually stunning and are used to create very impressive and dynamic photographs. When a camera is used on extended exposure, a high power laser pointer can be used to draw, make pictures and create marvelous visual effects. The proliferation of laser photographs online is a testament to the popularity of lasers and photography.

Lasers and photography is not just limited to lasers pointers and hobbyists. Specialist lasers with short powerful pulses make high speed photography with exposure time of several trillionth of a second possible.

Aiming devices

As a sports person out for some target practice or a soldier on the battlefield, high power laser pointers can help you improve your aim and accuracy. With a range well in excess of 10 miles at night, laser pointers will give you the ability to line up any target in visual range. Even in broad daylight, the green laser dot will be a visible aiming point that can greatly improve accuracy.

Construction/Alignment

On construction and building sites, high power laser pointers and portable lasers are ideal for engineers and site mangers to point out details and features. The laser beam dot is clearly visible in all conditions allowing the quick and efficient identification of features on a site. Effectively saving money through the reduction of wasted time and minimizing errors.

Laser pointers are also used for aligning objects over long distances. High power laser pointers are commonly used by both road construction crews and ground keepers at major sporting venues, world wide.

Avian dispersal

Farmers, airport ground controllers, pet owners and naturalists all use portable lasers as a non lethal method of avian dispersal. Lasers have been instrumental in the reduction of bird strike rates and in effective avian predator management for a number of protected bird species.

Both laser pointers and portable lasers are used by farmers from various countries to supplement their avian dispersal programs. By using our lasers, farmers have been able greatly reduce their cost (rifle or ammunition costs) with zero impact on wildlife and still adhere to local laws for wildlife protection.

Laser shows & entertainment

No rave or dance venue now is complete with out a laser show. The same can be said for any major out door event with the Asian games, Commonwealth games, Afro-Asian games and Olympic games being classic examples.

Both high power laser pointers and portable lasers can also be used with basic optics to create similar light shows on a smaller scale. The shows you can do with lasers range in complexity from a simple star diffraction grating to a more elaborate set ups with galvanometers and dichroic mirrors.

Medical

Lasers in medicine have a wide range of applications range from vision correction and surgery to wound cauterization and the acceleration of soft tissue healing. In brief, the lasers used in are divided into two categories, high power green lasers (3000mW to 10000mW) and low power red and infrared lasers (1mW to 500mW).

High powered lasers are used to cut through tissue and seal/cauterize wounds where as low level lasers are used to treat injuries and promote healing. Though not designed medical use and not to be used with out medical approval, high power laser pointers and portable lasers and infrared laser pointers do in both theory and practice have medical applications.

Non lethal deterrent

Laser pointers and portable lasers are now commonly used by law enforcement agencies and armed forces around the world as a highly effective method of non lethal deterrent. The beam from these lasers can temporarily overwhelm a hostiles visual senses and cause severe disorientation, effectively neutralizing them without resulting in permanent eye damage or the use of force.

Military applications for laser pointers range from painting targets and directing troop movements to warning potential hostiles. Portable lasers are also used by the military to how to warn/deter suspicious or aggressively driven vehicles that approach checkpoints or convoy operations with out using potentially lethal force.

High power laser pointer has been used by a number of coalition force members in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Being durable, field portable and with a beam that can span the largest battlefield, well built high power laser pointers are ideal for the role of non lethal deterrent.

Experiments

Lasers can provide you with hours of fun conducting experiments that provide insights into light, optics, electronics, energy and lots more. Much more beneficial and enjoyable a boring class room or stale text book.

Experiments can range in complexity from some as simple as popping a balloon (heat conduction and reflectivity) to as complicated as bending light (wave propagation).

Camping/Hiking

Laser pointers and portable lasers are great aids for camping and hiking. There is nothing worse than being stuck out in the middle of the bush during the wind and rain and with wet matches and not being able to light a fire. High powered lasers are great for lighting fires. Lasers with a beam that is visible for miles can also be used to signal for help in the event that you are lost or need aid.

Lasers can also provide adequate illumination at night that unlike a normal torch, will not ruin your night vision. High power laser pointer are so light and small, you can hike with them in your pockets and not even notice the weight. The larger laser portable lasers weigh the same as a small flashlight and can easily fit in your back pack. It's also strong enough to survive the heaviest pounding and roughest trail.

Having Fun

There is nothing like having the coolest high tech gadget with a lethal sky spanning beam to impress your friends. Just imagine the look on their faces when you start popping balloons and lighting matches. Not to mention the attention you'll get when you use your laser outside at night projecting a bright green/red/blue light that goes for miles. High power laser pointers and portable lasers are definitely not toys but they are a lot of fun.

Article is courtesy of Dragonlasers - No 1 lasers, laser pointer and green laser online store

Frank from Dragonlasers at http://www.dragonlasers.com

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