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FrozenGate by Avery

What's the point of a 16y/o owning a green laser pointer

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Regarding the "no lasers for minors law": What state do you live in? I have never heard of a rule like that before.

One of the biggest problems concerning safety and lasers is the massive amount of rumors and made-up "laws." When I tell people that I am a laser hobbyist, they speak and act as though I am going to burn a hole right through my skull. Safety rumors make things more dangerous than they really are because they give people complete falsities.

At the same time, safety is of the utmost importance. A 5mW laser cannot cause eye damage unless you purposefully don't blink if you are exposed to it; that is to say that based on the data of various studies, it has been determined (and officially declared by the government) that lasers of power 5mW and under are safe because your blink reflex will prevent permanent damage. If you purposefully don't blink, it will be like directly staring at the sun: you'll develop a blind spot.

It is for this reason that I would say that a 5mW laser is a good introduction for someone who is interested in the hobby.

You mentioned that your son brought his red laser (which is completely harmless) to school; if you feel that he cannot treat these devices responsibly, then obviously, you shouldn't allow him to buy one. If he is going to shine a laser on people or something like that, then you'll find that everyone here will agree that he shouldn't have one in the first place.
 





jwc said:
Regarding the "no lasers for minors law": What state do you live in? I have never heard of a rule like that before.

One of the biggest problems concerning safety and lasers is the massive amount of rumors and made-up "laws." When I tell people that I am a laser hobbyist, they speak and act as though I am going to burn a hole right through my skull. Safety rumors make things more dangerous than they really are because they give people complete falsities.

At the same time, safety is of the utmost importance. A 5mW laser cannot cause eye damage unless you purposefully don't blink if you are exposed to it; that is to say that based on the data of various studies, it has been determined (and officially declared by the government) that lasers of power 5mW and under are safe because your blink reflex will prevent permanent damage. If you purposefully don't blink, it will be like directly staring at the sun: you'll develop a blind spot.

It is for this reason that I would say that a 5mW laser is a good introduction for someone who is interested in the hobby.

You mentioned that your son brought his red laser (which is completely harmless) to school; if you feel that he cannot treat these devices responsibly, then obviously, you shouldn't allow him to buy one. If he is going to shine a laser on people or something like that, then you'll find that everyone here will agree that he shouldn't have one in the first place.
Click to expand...

Those made-up rumors and laws about lasers remind me of what people say about guns in britain lol. While I was there, I saw an ad for "mothers against replica firearms", and they claimed that airsoft guns could fire real bullets, and showed a video of these kids getting holes blown in their head from airsoft. It made me lol heartily.
 
Y'all have to also remember, different people mature at different rates and times. What is appropriate for one 16 year old, may not be appropriate for another.

We have had a 10 year old on the forum that was more mature than some of the "adults" here.

Peace,
dave
 
kissaholic said:
Well let's see you made a valid point the laser shows that I seen at Rush, ZZ top, Pink Floyd the Wall-yes the Wall ,KISS, and YES just to name a few concerts that i seen since 1980- they are awesome to watch. Like all kids, my son broke his crayons and tried to eat them too. He had a red laser pointer that made it to school. My concern is safety, not creativity. But thanks for the info on the "hobby" portion of owning one. He only told me they were cool.


Was there ever any mention that his dad was buying his laser? This is his mom and he has his own job, money and card. However, I was told in our state they were illegal for minors to own. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt however, since it looks like your 24 and still in high school and I'll look into the 5mw.
owned-pwned-wtf-wrong-16.jpg






and ya im on my sons account, im his mother
Click to expand...

I'm not buying this one bit. Sorry but you're just not coming off as a mother figure to me, especially after that picture and what you said about will being 24 and still in hs.
 
Can you trust your son for the safety fact? If so, let him get one. Simple as that.
5mw isn't "too" bad anyway. It wouldn't damage your eyes in the time that you are capable to react to it, if it is strictly <= 5mw.

Ive had a 5mw to hit me once with mirror bounces, didn't feel good and I don't feel good about it, but know harm done. It's just a must on safety glasses with anything over 5mw.

-Moptsp
 
^ his page does say 24, but he already said that he just chose a random date.
 
mfo said:
I'm not buying this one bit. Sorry but you're just not coming off as a mother figure to me, especially after that picture and what you said about will being 24 and still in hs.
Click to expand...

Not a "mother's" argument, eh?

Agreed

<looking>

**EDIT** Ooopsie! There's more too. I believe we've found a troll

Good call mfo

Peace,
dave
 
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Yeah, was a little suspicious a mom would post a picture of a guy getting owned by a motorcycle, much less know how to on her first visit to the forum. But I didn't want to judge though, after "she" called me on assuming "she" was a dad. Hmmmm maybe tyler is back as yet another account?
 
well, you're actually thinking a mom wouldn't do this because you can't imagine yours doing it. But well, if you consider this mom entered a forum on his sons account asking for an advise, you just realize your mom wouldn't do that neither.

Maybe Internet addicted moms do exist :crackup:
 
Okay, this is "THE MOM", I was on my son's account to make things easier for myself. So no troll here, sorry for the confusion. My son ordered a 100 mw? laser then told me afterwards. My whole premise of this discussion is to see what they are used for. He had a red one a while back and used it to drive the dog nuts-stuff like that. My question to him is why do you want one? "Because they are cool" isn't an answer. If there is a legitimate hobby or creative outlet, like some of you posted then I can understand. Also, some of you guys suggested to start out with a 5mw (correct me if i'm wrong) He ordered a 100. My son is a good kid, but accidents happen. I guess i will read up on all of this to be better informed. Ps. I picked out that picture cause I knew a bunch of guys would get it--not addicted to the internet either, well maybe the shopping part.
 
damnyankee said:
Okay, this is "THE MOM", I was on my son's account to make things easier for myself. So no troll here, sorry for the confusion. My son ordered a 100 mw? laser then told me afterwards. My whole premise of this discussion is to see what they are used for. He had a red one a while back and used it to drive the dog nuts-stuff like that. My question to him is why do you want one? "Because they are cool" isn't an answer. If there is a legitimate hobby or creative outlet, like some of you posted then I can understand. Also, some of you guys suggested to start out with a 5mw (correct me if i'm wrong) He ordered a 100. My son is a good kid, but accidents happen. I guess i will read up on all of this to be better informed. Ps. I picked out that picture cause I knew a bunch of guys would get it--not addicted to the internet either, well maybe the shopping part.
Click to expand...

I'm still not buying it.
 
Mm... This makes an interesting thread. I can't really see why anyone would go to all the bother of acting as there "mom" but then again the posts don't really look legit. But then who am I to judge :)

Well hope your "son" enjoys his new laser :)
 
damnyankee said:
If there is a legitimate hobby or creative outlet, like some of you posted then I can understand.
Click to expand...

I consider lasers a "hobby" because I find the whole concept fascinating - and I want to learn everything I can about them.

I think it comes down to what different people consider a "legitimate" hobby. When I tell people I'm a laser hobbyist, their perceptions of the hobby range from looking at pretty lights to blowing holes in objects with photons.

-Trevor
 
damnyankee said:
Okay, this is "THE MOM", I was on my son's account to make things easier for myself. So no troll here, sorry for the confusion. My son ordered a 100 mw? laser then told me afterwards. My whole premise of this discussion is to see what they are used for. He had a red one a while back and used it to drive the dog nuts-stuff like that. My question to him is why do you want one? "Because they are cool" isn't an answer. If there is a legitimate hobby or creative outlet, like some of you posted then I can understand. Also, some of you guys suggested to start out with a 5mw (correct me if i'm wrong) He ordered a 100. My son is a good kid, but accidents happen. I guess i will read up on all of this to be better informed. Ps. I picked out that picture cause I knew a bunch of guys would get it--not addicted to the internet either, well maybe the shopping part.
Click to expand...

>mom
>knows what a troll is
>knows how to use vbulletin well
still a possible trollface.jpg

But anyway,
If he already ordered a 100mw, he probably got a crappy fake one that is really only about 20-30mw, almost harmless.
 
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