Favorite consumer laser applications?

Hey guys, I was just thinking about the common products we see using lasers, and it seems like there's been a big shift. For the last few decades, the most common laser products on the market have been optical media devices (laserdisc, cd, dvd, blu-ray, etc), but it seems that they are really declining in popularity.

I know I hardly use my disc devices in favor of streaming and download services. This got me thinking about the laser products I'm still using frequently. Literally seems to just be the laser printer...

Of course, the internet is a laser product, but fiber networking doesn't make it into my house, so I can't count it. Most of the more exciting diodes are in high-end projectors, but I don't own one.

:thinking:
I guess I have to say my laser printer is my favorite laser product at the moment. It's at least reliable and easy on the toner. Very good to make PCBs as well.

If I had the money, one of these might take the cake: Best Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector | LSPX-W1S | Sony US.
Maybe a POF home network if there's a bit more support.

So what are your favorite laser products?

Laser pointers

ElectricPlasma said:

Laser pointers

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Well, I don't think the fun ones like we use are "consumer" laser products...

Unless you just really like these: https://www.amazon.com/Silvercell-W...&qid=1490572400&sr=8-7&keywords=laser+pointer

I'd say fibre optic networks as well, even though i don't get them to my doorstep yet. That's just a thing that takes a lot of time, but it does transport significant amounts of data over both very large (intercontinental) and small (within the city) distances right now.

Optical storage is on it's way out, being replaced by both streaming content and cheaper/larger storage in harddrives and solid state memory. Not needing the enormous drive itself, the big disks and all, things like SD cards often provide a better solution. Blu ray discs are still cheaper per gigabyte, but also slower and more prone to data loss.

It could still make a comeback if holographic storage pans out, but that needs to be a huge step up in data density and be reliable to stand a change against solid state memory that's ever evolving.

Whilst some things are declining. You could be relying on lasers for your energy soon.
National Ignition Facility (NIF)?
Consumer fusion power with lasers!

Portable lasers and their laserpainting application.

Thinking it through, the ONLY consumer laser product in my home is an Xbox 1. Wow times have sure changed. I remember when my desktop had 2 DVD burners and now it has none and I just keep everything on hdd's and ssd's.

CynicalBrad said:

Thinking it through, the ONLY consumer laser product in my home is an Xbox 1. Wow times have sure changed. I remember when my desktop had 2 DVD burners and now it has none and I just keep everything on hdd's and ssd's.

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Yeah. That's how I was feeling when I first thought about it. I don't even play games with physical media anymore now that I don't have a console. Definitely strange. I do want that fiber networking though.

Well maybe the definition of "consumer product" should be more specified. If we exclude portables by that definition than probably laser printer, internet, my rear light on my mountain bike producing 2 red laser lines and, well, pointers - those for presentation on in my job I occasionally use.

Radim said:

Well maybe the definition of "consumer product" should be more specified. If we exclude portables by that definition than probably laser printer, internet, my rear light on my mountain bike producing 2 red laser lines and, well, pointers - those for presentation on in my job I occasionally use.

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Well, "consumer" has a lot to do with locality since there are varying definitions of acceptable mainstream products, but class 3b or above is almost definitely not going to be a proper consumer grade laser product. Only proper laser pointers below 5mw would make it.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked the question. It's pretty obvious what laser pointer forums would say otherwise.

Rivem said:

Well, "consumer" has a lot to do with locality since there are varying definitions of acceptable mainstream products, but class 3b or above is almost definitely not going to be a proper consumer grade laser product. Only proper laser pointers below 5mw would make it.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked the question. It's pretty obvious what laser pointer forums would say otherwise.

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Well, that makes sense. Definitely portables (I call pointers only those up to 5 mW), projectors and lab lasers should not be considered. Anything what falls to class 3B or 4 should be excluded. Therefore even such a star shower is consumer product, but my 50 mW yellow dilda is not.

I forget to mention laser mouse, pretty useful device IMO.