Good quality "Pointer"

divine

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I didn't see a thread with suggested buys for pointers, if there is one, please point me to it.


When I think pointer, I think Laser pointer, maybe I don't need a laser pointer. If that is the case, please tell me.

I would like to get a pen style pointer. I work in an office where I point at something and everyone looks at what they want to look at and not what I'm talking about.

I've found maybe 100 cheapy laser pointers and every review I read gives comments like "it still works" or "sometimes I have to shake it". I am not finding reviews that say that it is well built.

What I want it to have:
No eye danger (if possible, I am careful if it is not possible)
100 foot range max, probably not more than 50 feet.
Do they come in multi-mode?
I don't care what color the laser is. No finish color preference, maybe not pink.
Easy to carry: 1xAAA (NiMh?) ideal, Acceptable batteries in order of preference 1xAA (14500 IMR?), 1x16340, 2xAAA. Something like a 47's penlight would be nice.
A pocket clip would be nice.
Momentary switch if possible, forward switch if it has to latch, reverse switch only if I have to.
A lot of pointers seem to have a cheap momentary button on the side. I prefer not to have a cheap button.
Tail switch would be nice to allow me to replace the switch if it fails or put a McClicky in it.
I would expect to pay $50 or more, if I have to pay $100 ish, that wouldn't be terrible.
Having adjustable focus doesn't make sense to me.

I would like to get something that is comparable to the quality from 47's, Olight, Nitecore, or HDS even.


Please give me some suggestions of your best lasers and I will give them a serious look.
 

Lexel

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Sep 15, 2016
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Germany
I got my last pointer 2004 from wickedlasers for 120$
it is rated 80mW 532nm DPSS running on 2 AAA batteries

still working fine, with 10 year old Energizer batteries (best before may 2010) getting 40mW out of it

bought new Li Zn batteries a few days ago and will test the output with my laser power meter asap

the beam is really nice with 0.8mm and 1mrad
 
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divine

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I could be wrong, but I don't think anything over 5mW is legal in the United States, I was thinking 1mW range might be "safe", but I don't know.
 

Lexel

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Sep 15, 2016
Messages
457
Location
Germany
The problem with laser diodes is if the temperature changes the power changes as well if its current regulated

pointers with optical feedback to regulate <1 or 5mW are rare and expensive
most 1 and 5mW pointers you find will have a lot more if you measure em
green lasers are far better visible, but more expensive as red ones
http://skytechlasers.com/benefits-of-520nm-vs-ordinary-532nm/

if you search for a safe one it has to be regulated

here are some you could buy, APC is what they need for safe use
http://www.roithner-laser.com/laser_pointers_520.html
http://www.roithner-laser.com/laser_pointers_532.html
http://www.lasercomponents.com/de/produkt/laserpointer/
APC on DPSS is more complex than on 520nm laserdiodes as they have 2 temperature sensitive crystals to transform infrared light to 532nm

If you want red take 635nm as it is far more better visible than 650 or 660nm
http://www.roithner-laser.com/laser_pointers_635.html
635nm pointers with direct laser diode can be found very often with APC as those diodes come with integrated photodiode

blue lasers are also possible
450nm is direct diode
473nm is DPSS
http://www.roithner-laser.com/laser_pointers_450.html
 
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divine

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Messages
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Location
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It looks like Wicked Lasers still exists. I was thinking about getting their 2xAAA model, but they don't make them with the wavelengths you suggested, they don't have a clip and they are located outside of my country. They look pretty nice, though.

Skytech sells some models, but they will be shipping from outside my country.

I am assuming that international shipping is a bad idea, but the information you said makes it sound like we (USA) doesn't have many restrictions on them.
 
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