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Since their invention in 1960, lasers have always fascinated mankind.  And while they certainly aren’t as good at blowing things up as we see in the movies, lasers today are more common than ever before.  If you’re reading this article, you probably are interested in becoming a member of the every growing group of laser owners.  Here, you’ll learn how to make your first laser purchase quickly, easily, and safely. 

Purpose

The most important step in buying a laser pointer is knowing exactly what purpose you need it for.  Is it going to be used for pointing things out during a presentation?  Annoying your pets?  Burning stuff?  Scientific testing?  Laser pointers vary greatly, and it’s important to know what you need.

Budget

Obviously, lasers are not free.  The quality, power, and color of a laser pointer all affect its price, but there is no reason to pay more money than you need to.  It is vital to consider how much money you can spend on a laser pointer, so you can get the best for your money. 

Legality

Unfortunately in the United States, there are certain restrictions on the sale of high powered lasers, which includes many laser pointers.  Of course, like most laws, they are relatively easy to get around.  Before purchasing a laser, you need to think about whether you are willing to commit illegal acts.  If not, there are still ways to get the laser you need legally, but they are more difficult and expensive. 

So let’s begin, and take a look at the options available to a laser pointer buyer.

Color

Starting with the longer wavelengths, infrared (IR) lasers are amount the cheapest, and they often give the highest power.  However, they are not easily visible with the human eye, and can therefore be dangerous if you don’t notice where the beam is.  Generally, these lasers are used for burning or melting things. 

Red lasers, the most common, are still relatively cheap and good at burning things.  They are also easily visible, and often can be found in very low power levels for very low prices.  Good for making a homemade laser light show, or making your dog chase a red dot across the floor.  They are often the best choice for people who want a general use laser.

Orange and yellow lasers are the least common of all colors, although they can be useful.  They are not the most visible or best at burning things, but for someone who needs to stand out when giving a PowerPoint presentation during a meeting, they can be very distinctive. 

Green laser pointers are among the most expensive, and in some cases, the most dangerous.  A green beam is created by passing an infrared beam through a crystal, which boosts the cost.  The infrared light can also escape unnoticed and cause blindness if the laser is not IR filtered, which costs even more.  However, green light is the most easily visible to humans, which makes even a low powered laser pointer good for activities like pointing out stars or signaling.

Blue and violet lasers, often created using blu-ray laser diodes (the same used with blu-ray discs) are also expensive, and not particularly visible or good a burning things.  They are still somewhat rare, though and can be good for impressing a crowd with an interesting and distinctive color. 

Ultraviolet lasers also exist, but are quite rare and dangerous, as well as expensive, and not visible to humans.  Don’t buy one of them.

Power

Power ratings for handheld lasers generally range from 1 to 1000 milliwatts (mW). Lasers with a power less than 5 mW are the only ones that can normally be legally sold in or shipped to the United States.  They are therefore the most common and cheapest, and often get the job done.  These lasers are good for everything except burning, and are not the best for some other scientific applications. 

Lasers with power levels above 5 mW can only be traded in the United States (other countries may have similar laws) if they incorporate certain safely features, like lens caps, keys, IR filters, safety buttons, and emissions indicators, which can increase the price.  A 200 mW red laser may cost $500 or more in the United States, but the same powered laser could cost only $50 if purchased from China.  Also, it is important to note that the restrictions normally only apply to preassembled lasers.  If you buy a kit and build a 200 mW laser, that is entirely legal.  It is also not illegal to own higher powered lasers, as long as you never sell them.

5-150 mW lasers are much brighter than lower powered lasers, and almost all colors of lasers can be purchased in in that power range.  They have some burning capability, being able to burn or melt dark plastics, pop balloons, and light matches. They are also much more dangerous, being able to blind someone easily.  If pointed at skin, they will produce a stinging sensation.

150-300 mW lasers are required for more powerful burning, and are visible over even longer distances, often even during the day.  They can melt or burn lighter colored objects, and light cigarettes.  Lasers that are not red or IR become even more expensive with these power levels, and of course, all lasers are more dangerous.

300-1000 mW lasers are usually only available in red or IR.  They can burn almost anything easily, but are still more expensive and dangerous.  Don’t buy one of these unless you know what you’re doing, a lower powered laser will normally work fine for the same purpose. 

Other Considerations

A cheaper laser (often from China) will also be more fragile, and will not last as long.  Product replacement can also be harder or impossible if you receive faulty laser. 

The type casing (or “host”) of the laser is important for protecting the diode.  Some are even waterproof to prevent accidental damage

Pay attention to the type of batteries the laser uses.  Normal AA batteries are easy to find replace, but a higher powered laser may require higher powered batteries. 

And there you have it.  Your first laser will soon be on its way to your mailbox, when you can rip open the package and let the fun begin.  But before you do, there are some important…

Safety Reminders

Lasers can blind you.  Never point them directly at a person’s face, and with higher powers, not even in a person’s general direction.  Never point a laser at an airplane or other moving vehicle.  Never use a laser or carry a laser into a public area.  Always use appropriate safely equipment when working with lasers, especially high powered ones.  This means wearing laser safely goggles (not sunglasses, not a welding mask, not your hand over your eyes) rated for your laser’s power and wavelength. 

Happy laser-ing!