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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Do I need glasses?

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Feb 9, 2011
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First off, awesome forum. It looks like you guys got a really nice and helpful community here.

Anyways, i'm thinking about getting this laser from o-like New Style red laser 200mW /adjustable [OLNRL200] - $45.99 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products

its a red 200mw and what i'm wondering is whether glasses really are necessary. Or actually, more specifically, my question is this: will looking at the beam (like if its shining on a wall) harm my eyes? or will it only cause damage looking at directly (or through a reflection/shiny surface)?

and since i'm writing here anyways, do you have any other suggestions for a 100 to 200mw laser for around $50? I might prefer a green over red, but it seems like red is generally much cheaper, and i'm also concerned with quality. (i'd rather buy a higher quality red 200mw laser for $50, than buy a lower quality green 200mw laser for $50)

Thanks
 





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Welcome to LPF. You should introduce yourself better at the Welcome area of the forum ;)

200mW is pretty much, and the eyes have reduced sensitivity to this color. You need goggles, a reflection can be pretty nasty if you don't be careful. 100mW for $50? I don't know.. Try Rayfoss.com.
 
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yeah, i've been looking at rayfoss a little. they essentially come down to the same price.
 

Machro

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for such high powered lasers glasses are a must !
200mw red won't be very bright but its still harm for your eyes.
Beam reflections without glasses are very dangerous.
Don't risk it buy glasses at rayfoss or dragonlasers....
 
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@Machro
"Don't risk it buy glasses at rayfoss or dragonlasers...."
are you recommending rayfoss and dragonlasers or asking for Fairtrade to not buy there? :thinking: Use correct pontuaction when you post please.

it makes stressive to read something you post without pontuaction.
 

Machro

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No, I'm recommending dragonlasers and rayfoss for safety glasses. :D
He should't risk to be hit by a reflected beam
 

anselm

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leo said:
it makes stressive to read something you post without pontuaction.
*COUGH*Says the kettle to the pot*COUGH*.:whistle::D:crackup:
"Diz o roto ao nu"
 
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@anselm
:crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup:
Sorry if sometimes I talk without punctuaction ;)
sou acostumado a falar assim na vida real, :crackup::crackup::crackup:
 
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okay, i'll prolly get glasses then. But to back to my more specific question. Is a 200mw beam just shining on another surface, bright enough to damage my eyes?
 
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Yes, 200mw can damage your vision if you are close enough.
Whats more, the damage is cumulative. If you think "I'll just do it for a second" a few times, those all add up over time.
 
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@Fairtrade
if you mean going blind for the rest of your life, yes it can. At 200mW the damage will not be quite cumulative, it will blind you instantly :p
if you mean black spots on your eye, you are right too. It will surely leave a big black spot on your whole retina.

Think wise.
 
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okay...well lets just say i'm about 10 feet away from a wall. and lets say its not a shiny wall. if i shine the laser on that, will looking at that be enough to damage my eyes?
 
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I'm not sure.. It will hurt surely (if the laser is 200mW really). If you get a class IV (>500mW) it can surely damage.
 
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10' you should be fine on a non-reflective paint type.
White surface @ 10' you should be fine for 200mW
Black surface would be a lot closer before you do damage.
Remember that it is all about how much light is coming back at you, if you shine a laser at an obtuse angle you won't have much reflected light coming back toward you. If you are shining (for example) at a black balloon and hit directly on the center of it, you will get a lot of reflection back at you.
If you have goggles you will also see the dot better without any "scatter" and see if it is focused as accurately as possible if you are trying to burn, light matches, pop balloons, etc.
I think the (not broad spectrum) glasses from Eagle Pair are only about $27 so there really isn't any excuse not to own them.
Be safe, accidents CANNOT be eliminated.
 
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I don't think you will want to 'see the laser' when you are popping ballons etc.
IMO you will want to see the POP, not the laser itself.. nothing spectacular happens tho.
 




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