Getting My Feet Wet With Projectors - Looking for a budget scanner

[White-Light]

Edit2: Do the cheap sets come with preprogrammed patterns? Some specify that they do and others are not as clear but seem to be the same items. Or better yet is there an inexpensive DAC and software for basic patterns? Ill read up some more on this option although I feel I will be adding to my total quite a bit.

The pre-programmed patterns you see in ready built projectors are nothing to do with the scanners, they are programmed into an eprom on a control board in the projector. They tend to be proprietary to the manufacturer. I've never seen a board with pre-programmed patterns on for sale. They're usually only available if stripped from a projector and are usually junked.

Scanners are exactly what they are, scanners. If you want to do shows, you either need a DAC and some software or a projector pre-built with shows patterns programmed in.

I'm a little surprised no-one has suggested buying a complete NRG laser system for a 1st system at low budget.

EDIT: just noticed you appear to be in the US so NRG are probably not varianced for import.

Andy has reviewed a couple on here and for the money they seem to be well built.

Sure if you decide to proceed with the hobby you'll probably junk it or sell it on, but wouldn't you do that with a cheap set of scanners anyway?

You're other alternative if you want to build would be DT 30's as Norty suggested. Good basic 30K scanners that should see you ok for some time to come including through upgrades to other parts of the system.

[flecom]

The pre-programmed patterns you see in ready built projectors are nothing to do with the scanners, they are programmed into an eprom on a control board in the projector. They tend to be proprietary to the manufacturer. I've never seen a board with pre-programmed patterns on for sale. They're usually only available if stripped from a projector and are usually junked.

plenty of scan sets come with "DMX Player" boards ex

http://cgi.ebay.com/20Kpps-HightSpee...item27b9d5f6de

[flecom]

recommendig cambridge scanners to a newbie who only wants to spend 150-200?? i think we all wish we could afford cambridge scanners.

I see no reason to downgrade my eyemagic's to cambridge's

[Helios]

Thanks for all the replies


Im trying to look into some of the options suggested and it looks like DT30's run $400+. Can they be found cheaper or is that normal?

I also checked out laserpic.com and found the z30 scanner but no price or sale page. Are these the same units found on ebay? It looks like there are only 2 or 3 versions on ebay being sold by several different sellers with different advertised speeds depending on the scan angle they are referring to.


Im thinking a budget build could be inexpensive and fun and always serve as a 1-1.5W 445nm satellite when I build a better one.

[flecom]

no no, build an RGB, that you really will regret not doing

scanners: something that does at least 30kpps like
http://cgi.ebay.com/30Kpps-HightSpee...item27b9d622e0

red: build one out of a loc and a flexmod, or buy one of these

http://www.o-like.com/index.php?main...products_id=20

and put it on a flexmod (or if you want to get fancy get two, put both on a single flexmod, and use a PBS cube to combine them..)

green: http://cgi.ebay.com/200mw-532nm-DPSS...item1c1a336328

blue: build out out of a 445 diode and a flexmod or buy one of these

http://www.o-like.com/index.php?main...products_id=72

and put it on a flexmod

then get some dichros and kinematic mounts, ex

https://www.ctlasers.com/purchases/d...ncy-p-217.html

and a piece of aluminum to put it all on...

get a soundcard dac or other inexpensive dac, and something like spaghetti, you should be good to go

you should have some knowledge of basic electronics

and really, you should be able to put a decent RGB together with all that stuff for not a lot of money... and if all that stuff IS a lot of money, then this hobby is not for you... i WISH i could have built an RGB projector for that when I started :cry:

[Helios]

you have a good point about going RGB. It does seem that as long as I keep the power down it wont add much to the price. I have a green module that metered 176mW (20ish IR) and is fairly stable. I also have built LOC units and other reds so that wont be an issue. I also have some dichros from an old TV - should those work? I can use my LPM to figure out which ones pass and reflect what and how much power loss there will be.

Ok heres the current plan:

30k scanner
sound card dac
inexpensive show software
500mW 445nm (can I use those inexpensive o-like TTL drivers? I have 2)
150mW 532nm (any way to add TTL to an existing module?)
300mW 660nm LOC
Cant afford a true breadboard but I can source a nice chunk of Al and I have a drill press

Missing anything? I know im already over my budget....here comes another addiction.

[flecom]

i would not worry about a breadboard, just get some 1/4" aluminum and drill where necessary

I would advise you to go with analog lasers, TTL will give you very limited colors... and for the price of a flexmod you really cant go wrong...

as for the dichros, no idea if they will work... people have been using the projector dichros, and while not ideal, they will work (really you should have the red closest to the scanners since its going to be your weakest color)

the green module may or may not do ok under modulation, you could try throwing a flexmod on it but if its one of those pen modules they can be pretty bad about modulating... all you need to do is remove the existing driver and attach a new driver to the pump diode

[Helios]

good suggestions there. I will have to play with the dichros and see what kind of losses I will have. That seems like something I could always replace down the line though if the ones I have dont work perfectly.

Im just going to keep posting my current build list so that I can add and/or remove things as I find more information and get everyones suggestions. Keeps everyone on the same page.

30k scanner - still looking for suggestions and deciding which model
sound card dac - Need to do some reading on this one
inexpensive show software - Not iShow open to suggestions
500mW 445nm with flexmod
150mW 532nm module with retrofit flexmod - anyone had luck with this?
300mW 660nm LOC with flexmod
MISC dichros - pending inspection
Adjustable optic mounts - best bang for the buck options?
DIY Aluminum optics board - got this covered

[flecom]

pen style modules have been modified for show use

example

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...t=green+module

but they may do well under modulation, they may not do well modulation, you might get lucky though?

[White-Light]

plenty of scan sets come with "DMX Player" boards ex

http://cgi.ebay.com/20Kpps-HightSpee...item27b9d5f6de

Ah ok.

Only person I knew who supplied DMX boards with Pre-programmed patterns was Dave (Lasershow Parts) but when I checked his site I couldn't see them any more.