Are cheap laser pens of good quality?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the quality and functionality of inexpensive laser pointers, particularly those priced under $15, compared to more expensive models ranging from $100 to $300. Participants explore the differences in technology, specifically whether cheaper models are actually lasers or LEDs, and consider the implications for their use in applications like astronomy.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether cheap green laser pointers are actually lasers or if they are LED-based, suggesting that the price may indicate the technology used.
  • One participant mentions their experience with a low-cost laser pointer that performs adequately for their needs, raising the question of what attributes justify the higher prices of brand-name models.
  • Another participant asserts that the cheaper models behave like lasers and can travel equivalent distances, challenging the assumption that they are merely LEDs.
  • There is a suggestion that the differences in price may relate to factors like pulse amplitude consistency, although this remains speculative.
  • Participants note that while red laser pointers typically use diode lasers, green laser pointers are more complex, leading to a wider price range.
  • One participant acknowledges that their reasoning based on price may have been flawed, as they find green laser pointers available at lower prices than previously thought.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether cheap laser pointers are indeed lasers or LEDs, with no consensus reached on the quality or functionality of the cheaper models compared to more expensive ones.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the technology used in laser pointers are not fully explored, and the discussion includes varying levels of technical understanding among participants.

wil3
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Hello- On places like eBay and Amazon, one sees a lot of ultra-cheap, under $15 laser pointers in various colors. For example, my favorite green astronomy laser cost me twenty dollars from amazon last year. Contrast these prices with laser pointers from more respected brands, which seem to range in price from $100-$300 dollars. What exactly is one paying for here? Do the more expensive, brand name models have some attributes that make them better for certain purposes?

For example, when shopping for my astronomy laser I considered a $105 Orion, but I settled for a $17 Hong-Kong-sketchy model that seems to work just fine and be as bright as I need it to be. I am currently shopping for a violet or UV spectrum laser, and I am again tempted to just get something cheap.
 
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If you are talking about green pointers, then I would guess the cheap ones are not lasers but LED's -- and the expensive ($100 or more) ones are indeed lasers.

If you want relatively cheap violet or uv, again I think you would need to use an LED rather than a laser.
 
wil3 said:
For example, when shopping for my astronomy laser I considered a $105 Orion, but I settled for a $17 Hong-Kong-sketchy [LED] model that seems to work just fine and be as bright as I need it to be. I am currently shopping for a violet or UV spectrum laser, and I am again tempted to just get something cheap.
What do you know about the LED polarization? Have you marked it on the side of your LED pencil pointer yet?

Bob S
 
It behaves like a laser, and it travels an equivalent distance to a laser beam. I have worked with LEDs, and so I know what they look like. What makes you thing that it is just an LED?
 
wil3 said:
What makes you thing that it is just an LED?
I figure what made him think it is just an LED is the price. Was that not apparent?
 
It's not an LED, so does anyone have any alternate opinions? I was thinking it had to do with pulse amplitude consistency or something. Thank you for your replies.
 
wil3 said:
It's not an LED, so does anyone have any alternate opinions? I was thinking it had to do with pulse amplitude consistency or something. Thank you for your replies.
The space in my red laser pointer "pencil" is almost completely taken up by two AAA batteries. The rest is a solid state laser diode (probably 670 nM AlGaInP used in cheap red laser pointers). See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_diode

Bob S
 
wil3 said:
It behaves like a laser, and it travels an equivalent distance to a laser beam. I have worked with LEDs, and so I know what they look like. What makes you thing that it is just an LED?
As DaveC said, the price you quoted. Red laser pointers simply use red diode lasers; green laser pointers are more involved. But ... a quick google search does show green laser pointers in the $20-$40 range, so it looks like my reasoning based on price was flawed.