Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

*New to lasers* HELP!

ace00

0
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
3
Points
0
Hey all,

I recently purchased just an ordinary 5mW green laser and had to say it started it all. I kept reading up on lasers and was immediately turned on to the idea that I can get my hands on some powerful stuff for safe recreational use. I do have a few questions before I made any irrational rookie purchases.

1. I completely understand the safety behind handling a high powered laser but was wondering let's say with a 200mW green laser with IR filter, can you operate it without goggles as long as it is not directly pointed at your eyes? Inquiring because I couldn't imagine purchasing 10 pairs of goggles for all my friends as I display the sheer beauty of the laser. Can you look at the beam from an operators POV without goggles and be alright with an IR filter?

2. Again with using something like a 200mW-250mW green laser with IR filter (RF532-250mW-FSS rayfoss.com), what is the safe distance where burning will not take place? I don't want to be in the woods in total darkness enjoying the sheer distance of the light but worry about burning things some distance away obviously not a significant distance but a rough estimate would be great.

3. Lastly, I keep reading up on reviews of sites etc and think I may, contingent upon the feedback here go with rayfoss.com much like the laser I posted the link to above. Smart going with rayfoss? Also, I live in the U.S. what are the chances I can get my hands on such a piece?

Thank you all! Can't wait to get involved here in the forum!
 
Last edited:





Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
530
Points
0
You do need goggles (yes, for everyone) with that power of a laser indoors. However, when pointed in the night sky you will be fine without the goggles. Idk about rayfoss, however, laserbtb is pretty good and they have IR filters if you wish.
 

Tmack

0
Joined
Oct 13, 2013
Messages
2,478
Points
0
Instead if going with a company. Stick around and learn what you really wold like. Get to know the wavelengths and power of all the possibilities. Then you can make a more educated decision and be happy with your laser. I would defiantly suggest going with a custom build from a trusted member. There are no better lasers in the world than right here in the forum. You will find the best quality/power/price out of many of the sites you may stumble upon. There are good sites out there, but in my opinion, custom lasers are the best. And it's always better to support forum members rather than some company any day!

Good luck. If you have any questions just pm me before starting a new thread. I will answer to the best of my ability or be able to point you to someone that can help.
 

ace00

0
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
3
Points
0
Alright thank you for the help. I will primarily be outdoors with it anyway. Thanks for the site recommendation. Do you recommend an IR filter?
 
Joined
Jun 20, 2013
Messages
530
Points
0
IIRC you won't need an IR filter if you will be only looking at the beam.
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2013
Messages
911
Points
63
I would recommend an IR filter for 2 reasons:

1)A green laser could be listed as 200 mW, but for all you know 100 mW of that could be IR (100 mW is probably an exaggeration, but you get my point) so your only getting 100 mW of green light.
2)If you get laser safety glasses (and you should), even if they block green light they won't do anything to protect you from the IR light.

Now for outdoor use like star pointing and such, I would say up to 200 mW is safe for viewing the beam without safety glasses as long as its pointing away from you and anyone else, and you act responsibly. I can't give you an idea of how far it stops being capable of buring, but you aren't going to burn down a forest with 200 mW of laser. My 1400 mW laser can only scorch wood slightly, and only at close distances.

As to companies, as Tmack says, I would stick around this forum a bit, get to know the builders and see about having a custom laser built. You'll get the best power and quality for your money, the best customer support, and you'll have your own unique laser all to yourself.

If however you wan't a laser sooner than later (I can understand) then some good places to check out would be LaserBTB.com, SFlasers.US (Owned by one of the forum members, TheJoker301), and dragonlasers.com (a bit more expensive, but their lasers are excellent quality)
 

ace00

0
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
3
Points
0
well done. thank you very much for all the advice, it is much appreciated!
 
Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Messages
626
Points
43
AFAIK most people view their beams with the naked eye indoors and out... I won't deny that I do it... but then again, the highest power I'm pointing around is 200 to 300mW and not 2 to 3 watts...

As long as you don't get shot in the eye or hit by a reflection, you're fine. But, I have been hit by reflections off some really out-of-the-way things here and there, reflective or glass objects I hadn't thought about in months sometimes catch a beam just right and send it into your face. I'm glad it wasn't the 500mW violet in those cases.

You are always at risk without safety glasses and laser eye injury is no joke, but goggles don't let you see beams very well and let's face it, how many of us would be here if there were no beams? Take precautions, research as much as you can, weigh the risks and decide for yourself.

ETA: Regarding OP's other questions,

2) The laser isn't going to burn anything beyond the focal point. To burn anything while focused to infinity it would need a couple of watts, though a DPSS laser would probably get better power density than a multimode 445. Still, shouldn't be any fire hazard to worry about with a 100mW or even 200mW green laser.

3) Honestly, go for some of the SD303 green lasers on ebay, some of them even have glass lenses. They are fairly inexpensive and all of mine have held up to abuse. Beyond that, I agree with Tmack, I probably won't be having much to do with Chinese lasers in the future... the shipping is painfully slow, the hosts usually cannot be worked on in any meaningful way, and that stupid do-nothing Chinese New Years nonsense is really just icing on that cake. Western builds are superior in every way, ship faster, last longer, and look cooler.
 
Last edited:




Top