Blade tracking

jrjr · Jun 19, 2013

I am planning to use a low power laser for RC Heli blade tracking. I thought that after reading all the warnings about eye safety I would ask here about it. Search hasn't returned anything relevant. Here is a link to what I am going to do....
Using Lasers for RC Helicopter Blade Tracking Measurement/Adjustments - RC Groups

So, can you recommend a cheap green pointer and do I need eye protection for this?

As a side note, a friend bought a green from ebay. It's like $6 and rated less than 50mw. The interesting thing is when pointed at a flourescent orange item the dot turns orange so this would be ideal to determine heli blade position.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and thanks!

lasersbee · Jun 19, 2013

I would get a cheap <5mW Red Laser from the dollar store to
track the blades of your Heli. You won't need Laser goggle.

The Low powered <5mW green Lasers on eBay are usually much
over spec and you would need Laser Safety Goggles.

Jerry

jrjr · Jun 19, 2013

Well, the green is desirable due to the color change of the dot when it hits fluorescent orange. That's why I was going to go green.

Do you think something like this would need safety glasses?-
5mW Green Laser Pointer Visible Beam Fast Shipping from USA | eBay

lasersbee · Jun 19, 2013

jrjr said:
Well, the green is desirable due to the color change of the dot when it hits fluorescent orange. That's why I was going to go green.

Do you think something like this would need safety glasses?-
5mW Green Laser Pointer Visible Beam Fast Shipping from USA | eBay

Those are the type of 532nm eBay Lasers that I referred
to in my post above.

They are usually way over the <5mW stated.
To be sure of the output power you would need to test
it on a calibrated Laser Power Meter or to be absolutely
safe get a pair of appropriate Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses.

Jerry

jrjr · Jun 19, 2013

Thanks for the responses
To be perfectly clear, is the eye danger when the laser is pointed directly at the eye or is is still dangerous to just view the beam and dot that is produced on these ebay pointers?

Would one of the ebay 5mw red pointers be equally dangerous?

lasersbee · Jun 19, 2013

I've personally purchased <5mW red Lasers from eBay
and they have been as high as 15mW.
The <5mW Green Lasers I have were as high as 70mW.

Jerry

jrjr · Jun 20, 2013

jrjr said:
Thanks for the responses
To be perfectly clear, is the eye danger when the laser is pointed directly at the eye or is is still dangerous to just view the beam and dot that is produced on these ebay pointers?

Would one of the ebay 5mw red pointers be equally dangerous?

Any input on the eye danger?

scumbagatheist · Jun 20, 2013

jrjr, let's put it this way. You're taking a risk w/ the green. You can mitigate the risk in two ways:
1) get some <$10 goggles on amazon.
2) maintain some distance between you and the dot on the rotors, and be very cautious of reflections.

It's like a loaded gun. If you are very cautious, you have potential for risk. You just need to respect that potential risk. In my personal opinion, you do not need $50 goggles to be safe here.

lasersbee · Jun 20, 2013

The steadfast consensus on the Forum is....
If you are using a Laser >5mW and are inexperienced
in the proper use of Lasers or their Dangers then it
is HIGHLY suggested that you use Laser Safety Goggles
or Glasses.

The likelihood that you may possibly and inadvertently
take a direct hit to the Eye is always there.

The choice is your to do so or not...
They are not MY eyes.

Jerry

jrjr · Jun 20, 2013

Ok thanks guys. I will stick with the cheapo reds. Not worth the risk.

Blade tracking

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