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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Lazers 101

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Looking for some information.
Had a few of the 5 and 10 mw lazers that cost way too much and never seem to work well for long.
My last purchase was a pair of Chauvet Scorpion green dmx lazers.
http://www.chauvetlighting.com/scorpion-scan.html

The first pair had one that wasn't as bright so I sent it back.
The replacement wasn't any better.
So, there has to be an adjustment somewhere being that the one is so much brighter.

Now I'm at the point where the dim one is so dim its nearly off.
They are 2 years old and spent much of their lives in the road case due to fog limitations here.


So my questions(s) are:
1) Anybody have good knowlege on adjustment of these devices?
2) Is this a normal life or failure pattern that they get dim?
3) Each time I purchase (2nd time) Lazers, they seem to be less than what I am looking for.
4) What I am looking for is power, and can't seem to find it.

I've spent stupid money on these and am not happy with the results.

I know we have laws regulating output, but I am going to cross that line even if it means permitting.

Any input on this subject is appreciated.
 
geposted Wed 11 Feb 09 @ 8:15 am
If i could be honest: at this time, I would NEVER invest in an expensive lasers. Laser technology has been so milked over the last couple years that people begin to get less sensitive about the "lack" of lasers. I think lasers will become less & less popular in the coming 10 years. The first signs are noticable today. One of the biggest Belgian clubs (Noxx) has NO lasers in its main hall. What does it have? Lots of Martin spots & washes - good stuff -, AND the entire ceiling is one big ledwall. If you have a little money now, save it up and go for some nice led stuff in a few years.

If you look at my blog you'll see huge parties that have lots of lasers, but it decreases when you look at more recent pictures. Ansarat 2008, area 2, had none. Instead they had a nice ledwall.
 
mp3jrick wrote :


So my questions(s) are:
1) Anybody have good knowlege on adjustment of these devices?
2) Is this a normal life or failure pattern that they get dim?
3) Each time I purchase (2nd time) Lazers, they seem to be less than what I am looking for.
4) What I am looking for is power, and can't seem to find it.


RICK
My suggestions are:
1) On the PCB where your laser diode has been connected, you can see there's a trim pot (variable resistor) near on the connector, it's the adjustment of intensity of the diode. On the americadj emerald sky the trim pot is located on the collector (if I'm not wrong) of the transistor. In most cases factory adjusted it on the 80-90% intensity, thus, if your laser diode still has the ability to reach at the maximum why not do it but as you said yours are in 2 years old already so power really deteriorates in time. But keep in mind also you might damage the diode if you adjust it too much.
2) There really is a normal life operating pattern a laser diode will operate. You can say it's time to change it when it's getting dimmed already.
3) I'm using 30mW, 80mW to 100 mW... you can really see the difference as the power output increases...you cannot compare 4.9mW againts 30mW, you know that.
4) There are lots of inexpensive laser lights in the market today with plenty of power output, mostly made from china (maybe they don't have much on regulation law up there, not sure). I have Shinp 22+ x 4 pcs. (30mW green / 80mW red) and it really functions well, though it's made in china but the output projection is superb. I also have the same brand shinp but blue and its very lovely. The last 3 i bought Galaxian (30mW green / 80mW red) from americandj and wow it amazed not just me but my audience as well.
 
My experience with lasers is limited to one fact. Without some sort of smoke/fog/hazer they are almost worthless. Most event halls, in my area, in will not allow anything like fog and bubble machines. Hence the two lasers I did purchase were returned.....
 
Thanks Randy, that is exactly what I was looking for.
Gotta get inside to find this on the Scorpion, if anybody has done this to a Scorpion please speak up.
If there is a shelf life I could understand, but these are nearly new and in perfect condition.
I was creating some scenes and in my adjacent room and 1/2 hour later one was nearly off.

Terry,
Part or most of the problem with lazers here in the states is the mv limitations, and yes you are correct about the fog or haze in those cases.
However, I have seen many shows without fog that rendered great results when the power is increased.

I just got off a cruise where they had laced the auditorium with 2 green lazer banks and had mirrors staged making the place look like a bank alarm system. It was intense.
Its not just the beams, but also the patterns that get interesting.

As far as Lazers being passay, dunno.
But, having them as a part and not primary definitely jacks up the level of the show.
I use all kinds of lighting for this purpose including lazers.

I know I have seen guys here posting shows they have with lazers, just not sure who it was.

Thank you all for the help and posts so far.
 
I had the same issue as Teary, if I cranked the Hazer up enough to make the Laser effective people would complain about the smoke. (I'm always amazed at the people who think chemical smoke is the same as cigarette smoke) So a while back I checked into getting one of the high powered models and found out I would need the special permits so I gave up on the idea and my lasers have been added to my "garage collection" of effects. I know we all have some of those.

The idea of "juicing them up"sounds interesting.

(It probably carries a prison sentence if we were caught) LOL

R~
 
Well I found the adjustment, omg.....these are 300mw lazers.

I also need to stress that lazer aiming up away from guests eyes has always been my practice regardless of rating.
Thank you
 
you cutting gold with that thing... better have a word with jimmy
 
tayla wrote :
you cutting gold with that thing... better have a word with jimmy


Our lasers at work are 5000KW mate. You could probably take someones head off with ours, lol
 
lol... just make sure he has a union ticket jimmy.
 
jimmy b wrote :
Our lasers at work are 5000KW mate. You could probably take someones head off with ours, lol


Cool, I know who to be nice to if I need anything else laser cut in future ;)
 
5000KW oh ya, those are what I want preferrably blue.
 
SBDJ wrote :
jimmy b wrote :
Our lasers at work are 5000KW mate. You could probably take someones head off with ours, lol


Cool, I know who to be nice to if I need anything else laser cut in future ;)


No problem mate.

*Sorry Rick for hi-jacking*
 
 

Love some of the images in there galleries mate, especially the outside ones.
 
If ur going for a laser, you should really get one thats ILDA controllable then you can point it a wall and show cartoons and pics if theres no smoke for beam show effects. Heres a quick one I put together...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLp0fHfql_E
 
That is the schnizzle, but dam they are not shy with the prices....wow
 
nice...
 
 


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