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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

How many mW is my "cheap" laser? [Video]

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Jan 9, 2014
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Hi, this is my first post in this forum and i was reading some things about lasers lately. I have a laser that i buy at some unknow store in the street, it cost me about 16 usd and i made a video where i make a hole in black tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6De3DqV6Mo&feature=youtu.be

i have read that 5 mW lasers only are visible at night and they don't burn, but i some confused about mine, cause it not seem to be dangerous for eye, i can see it without difficulty at night (without street lights near) and look at the reflected dot in a white wall.

pd: english is not my first language :p

Edit: the laser says that is <100mW, and obviously is not true
 
Last edited:





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Welcome Forka! :)

It's not a problem if English isn't your first language haha.

Anyways, it's impossible to determine the strength of that laser without a LPM. One thing that is for sure on these "pen-lasers" they are cheap and dangerous for a reason. Most of the light coming out of the aperture is not 532nm, instead it's dangerous IR light. I would consider purchasing safety goggles if you want to keep using this laser. Of course you aren't obligated to purchase some, but remember you only have 1 set of eyes.

Best of luck on the forums my friend :) +1
 
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Thanks for the quick reply and welcoming, some recommendation for upgrading? i want another laser cause this is so unstable, sometimes is bright and sometimes isn't and i need to push the button with a lot of effort.

i want something that looks really bright in the night but also not so dangerous for blind someone accidentally x_x

i can only pay with paypal and hopping that the shipping is worldwide and not so expensive (im from chile)
 
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Thanks for the quick reply and welcoming, some recommendation for upgrading? i want another laser cause this is so unstable, sometimes is bright and sometimes isn't and i need to push the button with a lot of effort.

i want something that looks really bright in the night but also not so dangerous for blind someone accidentally x_x

i can only pay with paypal and hopping that the shipping is worldwide and not so expensive (im from chile)

Ohhhh Chile huh? :bowdown:

Haha, check out these guys. Very great lasers and great customer service! Make sure to get the 5mW version pointer(not the first one which is 515nm) if you don't want to accidentally blind someone in case of "accidental" exposure.

LP 515nm 532nm 1-150

PS: make sure to add your location on your profile :)
 
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I don't see the 5mW laser pointer not 515nm, it appears a list with 532nm of 10mW to 150 mW.

what about a 10 mW? should be alright for what i seek?




Done.


Hum...you're right. Must of gotten rid of 5mW. Yes, 10mW should do then :)

You should have a nice little beam during the night, but be extra cautious my friend :beer:

Best of luck! If you have any more questions, just ask!
 
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Thank you again, last question (i hope :p)

its important to mark where says IR filter installed?
 
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QUOTE=Forka137;1268042]Hi, this is my first post in this forum....

ah .........

(Could you please make a post in the welcome section??- its nice to say hello before asking for help- read some of the threads there- helps to know what to put in your intro-
hopefully if you put 'from Chile' in the title you may find a mmeber down there- as they would not likely find you in this thread..

yeah... you need to read more also- no new questions here--most of these have been answered before-

hope you are protecting your eyes- when there is a chance you will get a hit direct to your eyes or more often a reflection off glass or other shiny surface-
you cannoy=t accurately measure the beams without goggles on.-- also some are only helpful for one color- you need ones that cover several wavelengths-
like red and green or green and blue- all laser color goggles are $$$$ cheaper to get a pair that covers both-

l left you a post at your other thread-
also..
try to avoid 'double posting'

or making two threads on same subject.

good luck-- :beer:

btw

there may be a member in Chile with a Laser Power Meter - it is very hard to know the power w/o this tool--

****************




and i was reading some things about lasers lately. I have a laser that i buy at some unknow store in the street, it cost me about 16 usd and i made a video where i make a hole in black tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6De3DqV6Mo&feature=youtu.be

i have read that 5 mW lasers only are visible at night and they don't burn, but i some confused about mine, cause it not seem to be dangerous for eye, i can see it without difficulty at night (without street lights near) and look at the reflected dot in a white wall.

pd: english is not my first language :p

Edit: the laser says that is <100mW, and obv
 
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IsaacT

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You can tell there is a lot of IR in that laser you bought. Why? Because in the video when it starts to put the hole in the tape all you see is a white sort of light peak through. That is your camera picking up the IR.

With that said we can assume that most of the power in your laser is IR. Why? Because if the 532nm was more power than the IR leak we would have seen green first and foremost.
 
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The white is just sensor overload because of the brightness, any laser will do that. The telling thing though is the purple, which is IR. How much of it I do not know, if I try hard enough I can see IR from all my DPSS lasers.
 

IsaacT

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Sorry it was late last night. That purply-white hue was what I was talking about. Thanks
 




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