Help!

I am new to the laser scene but I am shopping for my first. I had a question though. Obviously you can never look directly into the beam of any laser or retinal damage or blindness will follow, but I was wondering if I bought a blue laser (1 watt to 1.2 watts) and star-pointed with it, could me and my friends even look at the beam reaching to the sky without us having to put on goggles?

Things never work out that simply. If it reflects onto the retina in the process of turning it on or some other reason, you'll be regretting that decision. I personally, wouldn't recommend operation or ownership, without a pair.

Before I even operated mine, I ordered a couple of pairs.

cavanrogers said:

I am new to the laser scene but I am shopping for my first. I had a question though. Obviously you can never look directly into the beam of any laser or retinal damage or blindness will follow, but I was wondering if I bought a blue laser (1 watt to 1.2 watts) and star-pointed with it, could me and my friends even look at the beam reaching to the sky without us having to put on goggles?

Click to expand...

This has been covered many times. A quick search would have given the answer...

Simply put yes, you can use the laser outdoors, and without goggles, to admire the beam. There are however lots of provisos.ie take care that there are no aircraft overhead, that the beam cannot be reflected off any nearby objects especially reflective ones, that no spectator trys to put their hand in the beam (this happens more often than youd think:scowl. Avoid road signs, people and traffic. Just be aware where the beam is going and where it terminates and be ready to turn it off immediately, if necessary.

Here are some links I suggest you read them:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/using-lasers-near-airports-75846.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/am-i-going-need-glasses-outside-use-48538.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/shining-into-u-s-skies-59819.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/legal-point-150mw-green-laser-sky-us-76159.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/us-laser-laws-77002.html


If you are using the laser indoors then you should use goggles, as it will be a lot safer. If you do any burning you must use goggles.

If you own a high power laser then you should own the proper goggles. Heres the link to an informative thread: http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/get-some-safety-goggles-now-75799.html :beer:

@ CDRGlock. I'd suggest you do some reading too...:tsk:

Edit: Have a look at post no. 7 in this thread: http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/2-5w-saik-copper-module-pic-heavy-74753.html.