What is the main difference between quality LASERS and the cheap, look-alike knock-offs?
A. Quality LASERS will have optical quality GLASS lenses and collimators and Infrared filters incorporated into their design, while the cheap knock-offs (which are often packaged in the identical enclosures) will use PLASTIC lenses and optics and omit the Infrared filter. The cheap knock-offs will appear identical to the good quality LASERS, but their plastic optics tend to deteriorate over time, drastically affecting the performance of the unit. The cheap knock-offs will also light matches and pop balloons more readily than their quality counterparts because the Infrared filter is omitted. The omission of an IR filter makes the LASER dangerous to operate, since Infrared is not visible. Lack of an IR filter also makes the LASER illegal to sell in the United States. Remember that you are buying a LASER for its visible beam properties. Cheap LASERS rated for an output of 200 mw may radiate a good portion of that power as Infrared, which is USELESS unless you want to use your LASER exclus
A. Quality LASERS will have optical quality GLASS lenses and collimators and Infrared filters (in the case of red and green LASERS) incorporated into their design, while the cheap knock-offs (which are often packaged in the identical enclosures) will use PLASTIC lenses and optics and omit the Infrared filter. The cheap knock-offs will appear identical to the good quality LASERS, but their plastic optics tend to deteriorate over time, drastically affecting the performance of the unit. The cheap knock-offs will also light matches and pop balloons more readily than their quality counterparts because the Infrared filter is omitted. The omission of an IR filter makes the LASER dangerous to operate, since Infrared is not visible. Lack of an IR filter also makes the LASER illegal to sell in the United States. [Direct Blue LASERS such as the Cobalt 2000 do not generate ANY infrared radiation at all] Remember that you are buying a LASER for its visible beam properties. Cheap LASERS rated for an
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