LEARN ALL ABOUT LASERS 11-20

Don't judge a laser by its model number.

Many laser makers use numbers in their product names, but these don't always correspond to the actual power output of the product. A '6000' model designation doesn't necessarily mean that the laser you're looking at produces 6000 milliwatts of laser light.

So that you know what you are paying for, always remember to check the minimum guaranteed power output of the system.

Scanning speeds can be deceptive.

The speed of the scanning system is measured in points per second (pps), generally at a 7-8 degrees scanning angle, i.e. 30.000pps@8 degrees. This could sometimes be interpreted as 60.000pps@4 degrees or 100.000pps@2 degrees, making you think you are getting something super-fast.

The fastest scanning system we currently know has a maximum scanning speed of about 90.000pps@7 degrees.

ALWAYS CONSIDER THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE SPEED WAS MEASURED.

How much power do I need?

Each milliwatt of quality laser power is relatively expensive, so don't waste money buying more power than you need.
Equally, don't under-specify - that's the worst thing you could do. The main factor here is the quality of the beam.

Here's a general power output guide based on good beam quality using our KVANT lasers when conditions are ideal:

Small indoor venue - up to 1500 people: around 3 watts

Medium indoor venue - up to 3000 people: around 6 watts

Large indoor venue - 5000 people or more: around 10 watts

Medium size event, open-air stage, small festival: around 20 watts

Large outdoor events, festivals and stadiums: 30+ watts

Manufacturer vs Importer/Assembler.

There are many importers and assemblers who call themselves manufacturers. The reality is that you could be paying big money for cheap and low-quality re-branded imports.

WE DEVELOP, DESIGN & MANUFACTURE EVERY KVANT LASER IN-HOUSE.

Europe, China or elsewhere?

If you are serious about lasers and it is essential that you can rely on your equipment, then lasers from the Far East are different from what you are after. The level of quality and support is still not there, and the cost of any repairs due to high shipping costs and delays can easily cancel out the initial money saved. Also, your reputation could be at stake.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Do I need a full-colour or single-colour laser?

Due to the high sensibility of the human eye to green laser, it is more visible than any other colour laser beam at the same power. So, green lasers can be an excellent option for events with a lower budget than full-colour lasers require and some old-school type shows.
For everything else, full-colour lasers are the most versatile and give the best audience experience. So, for 95% of applications, you'll want a full-colour system.

How much should I spend?

A top-level laser projector suitable for small venues will cost anywhere between 3000 and 5000€. The big ones for large outdoor events are in a region of tens of thousands of euros.

What about life span?

You may save some money initially on a cheaper laser where some of the colours are based on older DPSS technology or Diode technology of lower quality.
When we say older DPSS, we don't mean all DPSS. There are superb quality DPSS modules around, but they cost thousands, and normally, you won't find them in show laser systems.

Most manufacturers specify a 10.000h life expectancy for DPSS and Diode laser modules, and while this might be true in rare cases, we have never experienced even 300 hours when testing those.

Currently, depending on the utilised technology, a quality laser projector could last for thousands of hours if proper maintenance is in place and it is used in accordance with environmental specifications.

And what about laser safety?

You would not want to get in trouble with authorities or harm someone's eyesight. Make sure the laser you get fulfils all safety requirements of your location. And not only on the datasheet.

Ensure you get all the necessary accessories and knowledge to do your shows lawfully and with minimal risk.

IF YOU DO IT, PLEASE DO IT RIGHT!

Control capabilities.

Light-to-Sound AUTO mode is not the right way to do safe and quality shows. Make sure the system you are getting is at least ILDA-compatible for better control.

These days, all KVANT laser projectors have built-in Ethernet and DMX/Artnet control interface as a standard.

PROPER CONTROL MAKES LASER SHOWS LOOK SO MUCH NICER.