Well, hello there

[gottaluvlasers]

Hey Synce-

Welcome to the wonderful and expensive lil land of lasers! you are 100% correct, watch out for your wallet! lol. they tend to get those holes in them much quicker than you can imagine!

try to decide what it more important to you. graphics or beams? if beam and aerial effects are a little more "your thing" than you could get away with a little slower scanner system. <30K is completely feasible for beam shows and can do *ok* simpler graphics.

DZ would be your best bet. he is a top-notch guy to deal with and his scanners are impeccably tuned. plus, hes in the states. so if something goes wrong, you can hunt him down and smack him around!

sounds to me like you may want to stick with ~20K system and your choice for a 100mW/532 is a good choice. like adam said, bright enough to do some pretty nice beam effects. but not powerful enough to melt the retinas out the back of your skull. (under normal safe circumstances)

Have you thought of control systems? sound card DAC? Pangolin? Phoenix?

good to have you here! feel free to ask as much as needed.

-Marc

[Synce]

I wholeheartedly agree that you get what you pay for. I'm just trying to find somewhere to fit this into the budget along with the 123972397 Christmas presents I've got to buy. Ha.

Any suggestions on 20k/25k's? I'm aware of the ScanPro/Eco/LSP 20's but, once again, finding them stateside easily is a challenge.

I think you are correct that I will be interested in mostly beam effects. To what extent can 20k's produce quality images?

[Stuka]

Hey, Synce -

Where in Alabama are you located?

My "home away from home" - which includes the laser gear - is currently Huntsville, AL.
If you're close by, I could probably arrange a bit of hands-on time before purchasing, if you're interested!

Randy

[gottaluvlasers]

20ks i think can do all your basic 2D images fine. shapes, smaller text arrangements like:
hello
welcome
have fun
happy new year (scrolling)

it wil have some problems doing animation sequences like fish swimming, mickey mouse dancing, etc...etc...

for graphics with 20ks, keep your scan angle smaller and you will have better luck with images.

i would suggest the DT25's. more affordable and will perform great for you.

-Marc

[Synce]

Hey, Synce -

Where in Alabama are you located?

My "home away from home" - which includes the laser gear - is currently Huntsville, AL.
If you're close by, I could probably arrange a bit of hands-on time before purchasing, if you're interested!

Randy

Hey Randy,

I'm located in Montgomery. I do appreciate the offer! I may take you up on that after the first of the year (if I can wait that long). Work life is fairly hectic at the moment. What type of system are you running?

[Synce]

20ks i think can do all your basic 2D images fine. shapes, smaller text arrangements like:
hello
welcome
have fun
happy new year (scrolling)

it wil have some problems doing animation sequences like fish swimming, mickey mouse dancing, etc...etc...

for graphics with 20ks, keep your scan angle smaller and you will have better luck with images.

i would suggest the DT25's. more affordable and will perform great for you.

-Marc

Thanks for the clarification. I am searching for the DT25's but it seems they are being replaced by the DT30's. Or maybe I just haven't found the right place/person yet. I DO like the idea of animated graphics. Hmmm.

[Stuka]

Hey Randy,

I'm located in Montgomery. I do appreciate the offer! I may take you up on that after the first of the year (if I can wait that long). Work life is fairly hectic at the moment. What type of system are you running?

No problem - I DEFINITELY understand a hectic work schedule!!

Drop me a PM sometime when you want to try out the laser gear!

Right now, I'm running a home-built RGB rig cranking out about 750mw after the optics, controlled by a a Pangolin QM2000.NET.
Waiting in the wings, I also have a 1w 532, a Pangolin FB3, and way too many other pieces & parts to think about!!
SO many parts - so little free time ...

You have been warned that this tends to be an expensive moneypit hobby, right?!