Hey Internets, set me up with a Pink Floyd light show for $150

December 2, 2010 11:16 AM

Laser buffs: what is a good laser show unit for spicing up a party on the cheap? Does anyone own any laser show units? I've looked at some models but I have some questions (and I'm in the US, so some laws apply here).

Mostly I want something I can point at a vaulted ceiling (not at people) for ambience.

My concerns are:

1. Most of the "star field" projectors I'm seeing on Amazon and ThinkGeek give me the impression that they require a dark room to be effective, presumably due to the strong diffusing of the beam. We can't have all the lights out. Do you all own any of those models (Laserpod, etc) and how well do they work when some lights are on?

2. Judging by YouTube videos a lot of the star field units don't seem to react at all to music (either that or people added postproduction music that didn't fit the patterns, I'm not sure).

3. With generic units, a lot of US sellers mark them up astronomically so I'm not sure where to go for a good deal. Is there a favored domestic source?

4. There is a 5 mW FDA law in the US. Do many people who need to set up a laser show get licenses, order domestically, or procure through friends overseas? I don't want this thread to derail into a discussion about the law, but on the other hand I'm not really looking for an industrial grade unit... just something that is reasonably low-power yet effective and safe in responsible hands.

posted by crapmatic to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

I get most of my lasers from o-like. They have a green party laser that you might be interested in. The legality of your purchase is up to you--o-like doesn't guarantee it'll make it through customs, but I've had no issues.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:29 AM on December 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

You could build a few of this sort of thing, or are you looking for something that projects recognizable images?
posted by chazlarson at 11:40 AM on December 2, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks, MrMoonPie... I'll definitely check that out.
Chazlarson - I'm probably not up to building anything right now; the laser beam doesn't need to do anything fancy except move or change... either a moving line or moving patterns.
posted by crapmatic at 1:04 PM on December 2, 2010

Simple but effective: use a bunch of cheap lasers, and point them parallel to the floor about six inches off the ground. A little fog or dry ice will help, even without that it's still cool to see feet light up when dancing. Also no fear of hitting someone in the eye, unless they are passed out, in which case their eyes are probably closed.
posted by StickyCarpet at 1:09 PM on December 2, 2010

Response by poster: I considered the "homemade cheap laser" route but my concerns are (1) most pen lights have buttons rather than switches, and (2) I'm concerned about burnout or overheat on some of my nice green pointers. Also I'm concerned about the laser falling out of its mount, so I'd either have to be adjusting it to make it work or and would have to make sure it doesn't fall out and point aimlessly at someone. I might do some homebrew stuff next year, but right now I'm looking for something I can essentially flip on and forget about.
posted by crapmatic at 1:17 PM on December 2, 2010

Just throwing out a random idea here, but if there were a mirrored or reflective surface attached to the speaker, especially a subwoofer, an inexpensive laser pointed at it would definitely react to the music.
posted by BleachBypass at 7:57 PM on December 2, 2010

wait ... are you looking to buy this? because you might be able to rent a light show unit from some local party supply/dj supply place.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 7:58 PM on December 2, 2010