How to find out if this is really a <5mw laser

I just received my "Pen" style green laser from ebay, prior to this i have only had the very cheap <1mw red lasers that they sell in stores like Walgreens. Anyway i have been using the laser and am very impressed by how bright it looks, i am now curious to know if this laser is really outputting <5mw and if i should be extra careful in using it.

What i have found so far:

The beam is clearly visible in dark areas

The beam is clearly visible in fairly lit areas

The beam is barely but still visible in well lit areas (my room with a 50 Watt light bulb).

The box says <5mw but there is nothing on the laser itself

The laser came with a few caps that give it several different light patterns, even with the dots distributed to create the pattern they still look very intense:




What do you guys think? Does this sound like a <5mw laser?

Over 5 mW , 20 to maybe 50

Only way to find out is to use an LPM. It's is very likely to be in the range of around 30mW.

Like they said, eBay greenies are usually overspec, which makes them dangerous because people don't know what they have in their hands!

That is indeed dangerous, i was playing with it inside the house thinking that it was a simple 5mw laser until i started to get eye strain from pointing the dot at close objects.

Last time i am using it inside the house that's for sure.

Your <5mW 532nm Laser is probably also
putting out some invisible IR radiation.

The only way to really know the true output
of any Laser is with a Laser Power Meter.
It will help keep you aware of any potential
High Power Laser dangers.


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Even if you measure it once at 3mW, they don't have optical feedback, so it may jump up to 30mW the next day if the temperature is different.

Invisible IR radiation? Does that mean that the laser is harmful even if used correctly? Does that IR radiation happen in the direction the laser is pointing or does it leak in all directions?

denny33142 said:

Invisible IR radiation? Does that mean that the laser is harmful even if used correctly? Does that IR radiation happen in the direction the laser is pointing or does it leak in all directions?

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IR isn't that bad if the laser is under 100mW because the radiation won't be strong, ofcourse never point the laser into your face. But yes, the reflection of staring at the dot can harm you because it's invisible.

Just took it to a friends house who has a power meter and the little bastard was averaging 34mW, I should have known something wasn't right when the ebay sellers description said: "This 5mW laser is 6X brighter than your average 5mW laser".

Here is a pic i shot of the laser:

I have a 13mW 532nm for sale if you want it

brendon7358 said:

i have a 13mw 532nm for sale if you want it

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one dolla!

RedDart said:

one dolla!

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I already sold my one dolla laser if you want this one tho it's five dolla and eighty eight cents :crackup: