FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Green Laser Pointer

["Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>]

Randy, et al;

My wicked laser 35mW is about 4 months old and is working fine.  Does a
great job in light pollution and it is WAY-way too bright for a 7/10 =
night
at Hovatter Road.  I have been careful and it does a great job for =
public
stuff.  You can see tonight.

Steve Coe


-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Randy Peterson
Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 12:13 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Green Laser Pointer

I purchased a 20mW green laser at the RTMC last year, and have used it =
for=20
many school and public star parties since then.  It cost a bit more =
($190)=20
than the Wicked equivalent, but it seems to work fine for public & =
school=20
star parties.  Got it from Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions - made =
by=20
Arcturus Optics.  I was told that if it quits working it can be repaired =
(or

perhaps adjusted?) for about half the price of a new one.  Don't know if =

that is really true or not, but I have had no problems with this unit =
(but=20
it has never been dropped either).  This 20 mW unit replaced a 5 mW unit =

that I used for a few months which didn't show up in light polluted =
skies.

Based on my experience with this one, it seems that around 20 mW to 35 =
mW=20
would be optimal for most conditions.  Guess if you want to spend the =
money,

more would be impressive, but IMHO unnecessary.

Randy Peterson


----- Original Message -----=20
From: "George Barber" <gbarber@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 8:01 AM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Green Laser Pointer


My laser pointer finally bit the dust after a little more than a year of
use.  I purchased it at wickedlasers.com.  It was a really nice 55mW =
unit.

Another friend of mine had his 20 mW laser pointer die after 6 months or
so.

I've been shopping on the internet, and ran across a green laser made by =
a
company called Laserglow.  Their unit is a class IIIb, which makes it =
legal
for anyone to own, as it has safety interlocks built in.

The unit is larger than a laser pen, and designed to efficiently =
dissipate
the heat built up by the I/R pumping diode inside the laser.  Thus, they
claim, the unit can maintain its power output over time.  Their graphs
demonstate this.  The graphs also show that the high-power laser pens =
only
output their advertised power levels for a short time, quickly =
diminishing
the output level.

The lasers made by Laserglow are more expensive than the high-power =
laser
pens.  However, if their quality is that much better, you would save =
money
in the long run by purchasing a unit that will last probably the rest of
your life.

So, I have two questions:
First, does anyone have any experience with a Laserglow unit?

Second, how much power is really adequate for your average star party?
Sure, the idea of a 100 mW laser is cool!  But would it be overpowering =
at
such events as the Grand Canyon Star party?  Such an instrument might be =
so
bright as to cast green light and interfere with night vision.  What do =
you
think the ideal green laser power level is?  I need a laser that can do
star parties in areas ranging from downtown lights nearby (like at a
school) to a dark area like the GCSP.

If I bought their Herculese model (OK, too much to spend...) I might be
able to take out those pesky orbiting satellites, ha ha.

Thanks for your inputs,

George





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