Laser Pointers

[MrB (Simon)]

Red will work, just not at legal power

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I guess mine would be a 5mw then as it isn't very bright (bit like me really)

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by jenchris

... as it isn't very bright (bit like me really)

Don't be so hard on youself, Jen ..... that's my job!

[Redshift13 (Rohan)]

I have a 1mW green laser which I bought for $8 (delivered) from eBay.

It's perfectly adequate for pointing out the wonders of the night sky to my astronomically uneducated friends and relos.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by jenchris

I guess mine would be a 5mw then as it isn't very bright (bit like me really)

Don't think that Jennifer, we all had to start learning somewhere.

My learning experience with lasers began a long time ago with industrial lasers, yet, I still didn't twig that my first, so called, 50mW GL laser was, in fact, only a 5mW, although it soon became apparent. However, it wotked just fine, for my requirements.

After that, I then imported my first true 40mW (rifle laser sight), and that was bright, in fact, a little too bright for my astronomy requirements. I now only use the 5mW, as they are adequate enough for me to point my scope towards the first alignment star.

Most of the lasers coming out of China are often labelled incorrectly, and fail regularly, so I tend not to bother with the cheap Chinese stuff.

Cheers Pete

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Redshift13

I have a 1mW green laser which I bought for $8 (delivered) from eBay.

It's perfectly adequate for pointing out the wonders of the night sky to my astronomically uneducated friends and relos.

Many cheap laser pointers do not produce the claimed output. They can be wildly above or well below the stated value.

Whether 1mW is adequate depends on how dark the site and sky are. Here in the burbs 5mW is often insufficient.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Well it works and I can shine it through my scope and the beam comes out and points exactly where the scope is! I don't mount it -just shine it up the spout - it works a treat.
Just pop the EP back in to finalise the alignment.
Surprising how far the beam goes like a ghostly alien death ray

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

Many cheap laser pointers do not produce the claimed output. They can be wildly above or well below the stated value.

Whether 1mW is adequate depends on how dark the site and sky are. Here in the burbs 5mW is often insufficient.

Very true. I have a couple of glp's which I aquired at different times and actually use for legitimate astronomical purposes. Like highlighting naked eye targets, or defining constellations to visiting northern hemisphere observers at Ozsky etc. I also do a lot of outreach with children and social groups. I have a high quality 5mw unit which I purchased about 10 years ago. I can only assume its output is as stated. Under rural and dark skies its output is more than adequate. Under urban or partially moonlit skies (where and when most outreach groups want it to happen), I would consider its output inadequate. Enter the $8 1mw Ebay laser pointer. Its output is at least 3 times brighter than my 5mw unit and it works very well under poor sky conditions.

Cheers
John B

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

I can only assume its output is as stated. Under rural and dark skies its output is more than adequate. Under urban or partially moonlit skies (where and when most outreach groups want it to happen), I would consider its output inadequate.
Cheers
John B

John if you're ever in the area, drop in and I can measure it's output for you.
RB

[KG8]

Originally Posted by Astro_Bot

Yup. We can get drunk and drive, smoke anywhere and shine all the lasers we want.

Yes you can buy them from the local flea market for $20. The guy says their 2mW or something but side by side on a dark night they are as bright as the $150 20mW one I bought years ago at a local astro shop.

[Sconesbie (Scott)]

Thanks everyone. I got one of those off the link below. $7.95 for 1 mw.