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New laser help!!:)

Acass1

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Feb 25, 2014
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Ok so I just joined here. Anytime I wanted to know something about a laser I would come here. I just got a new laser that's 405nm I think. It was supposed to be 5mw but just for the heck of it I focused it in on my book bag and is started smoking!!! Is it possible for it to be 5mw and burn?? I really want to know its power.
 





ARG

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405nm 5mW pens are often over spec. Typically 20-150mW of power.

It's very unlikely that your laser is actually 5mW. The true output is likely in the range I stated above, but the only way to know the true output power is with a LPM.
 

Acass1

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Ok, thanks. Can I get into trouble for owning this laser even though I didn't know? As long as I don't do anything stupid I should be safe right??
 
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Ok, thanks. Can I get into trouble for owning this laser even though I didn't know? As long as I don't do anything stupid I should be safe right??

Yes, no worries. The FDA(at least for now) isn't going around knocking on people's doors asking if they own high powered lasers :D
 

Acass1

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Haha that's good. Thanks so much. Now I just need to measure it. Haha
 
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Mar 10, 2013
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it's probably around 50mW it sounds like by wording, if its burning black while well focused. just don't point it at anything reflective and you should be just fine.

and as noted by greenlander, the FDA won't come knocking for it unless you do something inappropriate with it.

After sale, and you are in possession, they can request a recall from the company if it doesn't meet standards, but they can't come take it from you. (in theory...)
 
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Haha that's good. Thanks so much. Now I just need to measure it. Haha

The cheapest way to get it measured is to send it to a member who owns a LPM. They will measure it, all you pay is shipping to/from him.

One guy who offers this free service is LivinLoud.
 
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Nov 2, 2012
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NO way it's 5mW, if you can feel any heat from it at all it's overspec for sure. Totally legal to possess and use though, FDA can bugger off more or less. They are not (yet) classified as prohibited weapons here in the USA. Just don't point it at any people or vehicles and you'll be fine.
 




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