Best Laser Output Measuring Meter

[AEHaas]

In the range of 1 - 500 mW is there a good meter specifically for measuring the power output of lasers that costs less than $500?

aehaas

[mixedgas]

In the range of 1 - 500 mW is there a good meter specifically for measuring the power output of lasers that costs less than $500?

aehaas

Assuming show use and not lab use?

lasersbee , coherent power pen, used Coherent or Ophir gear on ebay. What wavelengths are you trying to measure, and how much resolution do you need? Are you audiance scanning? We have lots of folks with power meter experience here?

Steve

[AEHaas]

I would look for an accuracy of +/- 5 or 10 percent. This is for hobby purposes, not laboratory measurements. Red through violet color range would be good if possible.

aehaas

[sugeek]

Reviews of the laserbee:
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/showthread.php/9611-Laserbee-1-A-GREAT-Power-Meter!
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...-great-product
Where to get one:
http://www.bauer-electron.com/eby/eby1wlpm.htm

Those links should help for learning about the laserbee.

-Adam

[drlava]

There's a analog coherent meter I'm selling in the forsale section right now, good and inexpensive.
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...er-Meter-Argon

Caution on the coherent 'power pen' (Lasercheck) it can only measure one wavelength at a time. Whereas the meter above (thermal meter) can measure any visible wavelength all at once.

[lasersbee]

Reviews of the laserbee:
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/showthread.php/9611-Laserbee-1-A-GREAT-Power-Meter!
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...-great-product
Where to get on:
http://www.bauer-electron.com/eby/eby1wlpm.htm

Those links should help for learning about the laserbee.

-Adam

Hey Adam...
thanks for stepping in with the links... much appreciated...

Jerry

[allthatwhichis]

I told you you'd get a response here; not that there is anything wrong with posting at CPF... There are just more laser experts here.

[AEHaas]

Thanks for the reference allthatwhichis. I ordered one, this one:

http://www.cascadelaser.com/coh1159770.html

Doug, from Cascade Laser Corp., gave me free shipping as well.

aehaas

[sugeek]

Thanks for the reference allthatwhichis. I ordered one, this one:

http://www.cascadelaser.com/coh1159770.html

Doug, from Cascade Laser Corp., gave me free shipping as well.

aehaas

That is a VERY good meter you will be pleased with it! Don't forget to download the software, it isn't great but a nice option. With a 7mm mask on the aperture, and the meter set to w/cm^2 it is possible to measure MPE (mccarrot knows more about that).

-Adam

[ElektroFreak]

that is a GREAT meter, but at a high price. It would seem that your initial budget estimate was a little off.. I'm sure if you had mentioned the fact that instead of <$500 you were actually looking to spend >$1200, people might have directed you to more meters in that price range.

I'm glad you found a suitable meter, but I would recommend that you give us accurate budget figures and usage requirements when asking questions, that way we can steer you in the right direction instead of wasting our time with responses that will go unheeded. Take this thread as a prime example:

You asked for a meter under $500 suitable for hobbyist use, so then people here answered based on those requirements. Then you went out and bought a ~$1500 meter for professional lab use. It's very likely that someone here could have done you a better deal on a quality professional meter if you had stated your actual requirements..

But whatever works for you.

[/rant] sorry.. it just annoys me slightly when people ask questions, and the experts answer, and all the while there was never any intention of following their advice.