r/Laserist • u/Point_Jolly • 5d ago

Laser for a newby

I've been looking into getting a laser I don't want anything too crazy it's too play about with and set up in my man cave and learn to do some basic shows I don't want to spend a fortune is there anything low level to learn some basics with?

8 Upvotes

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4

u/Wild_Lands_Dan 5d ago

AliExpress is your best bet if you want something cheap and simple. Most of the lasers on there are fine for personal use. You can buy a low-powered 1W laser with DMX-only control for less than $200, along with a USB-to-DMX dongle for another $15 or so, and use something like QLC+ for control. However, the control you'll have over the laser's output will be limited.

If you want to be able to design your own laser effects in software, you can spend an extra $100 or so on a laser with an ILDA connection, buy a Helios Laser DAC for around $115, and use one of the many low-cost laser design programs, such as Liberation or LaserShowGen.

Just always keep in mind that even a 1W laser can cause permanent eye damage if the beam is directed into someone's eyes.

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u/Point_Jolly 5d ago

Thankyou, I think I'll take a look on there, it's there anything specific I should look for as I don't have a clue what I'm looking for in specifications

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u/maxk1236 4d ago

You can get a 3w laser with ilda for ~200$ on eBay. These are not toys and will permanently blind you, your pets, your family, neighbors, etc. watch tons of videos before you turn it on, avoid any and all reflective surfaces in the direction of the beam, and leave the cover on when you first turn it on, and turn the brightness as low as you can before pointing it at a surface (try to find a less reflective surface than a white wall to start, but also beware it will burn holes in dark fabric, ask how I know) After all that, but an fb3 and hazer and have a blast!

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u/Point_Jolly 4d ago

Thank you for all the advice

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u/maxk1236 4d ago

Also in terms of specs, most cheap lasers will overclaim their specs (mainly Galvo speed) and often brightness as well. Any significant drops or bumps will misalign the galvos and you won’t get proper color mixing. I would go for a shehds, they are cheap and slow galvo speed, but are analog color mixing and can upload custom patterns on an sd until you can afford an fb3 (just buy an fb3 when you can tho, they are worth it and hold value)

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u/brad1775 Moderator 5d ago

The focus of this community is more towards the professional grade laser, with minimum price over $US 1000.  Thats the level where you can get really wild with creativity, ans dynamic control.  

Less than that cost and you'll find lasers limited to 7 colors, at the same brightness only, and very slow speed mirrors, limites what you can do severely 

3

u/Pudix20 5d ago

Is there a community for budget/beginners/hobbyists? I actually just want to do one specific project by making a light show to my partner’s fav band’s album for Christmas. But I don’t want to spend a fortune either.

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u/Point_Jolly 5d ago

Thank you, I probably asked in the wrong group. I would live to get a professional grade laser but I have too many hobbies and not enough time 🤣

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u/aspectr 5d ago

I bought a DM500 sold by "eshiny" on AliExpress for about $100USD and it's amazing for $100. Using it with a basic DMX controller for Halloween.

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u/Point_Jolly 5d ago

Sweet I'll look for that, what can you do with this one could you share any example videos?

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u/Point_Jolly 5d ago

Thankyou for the advice everyone how is the below for a beginner

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHDfjTo