Irresponsible Laser Use

Well I'm not sure if this is the right section to post, but I can't let this one go, this Youtube has absolutely no concept of the danger that a 1W 445nm laser posesses: YouTube - Dangerous blue laser projector

He pointed it while on a busy highway (2:00), scanning some houses in the background and lighting up a reflective sign, could have easily hit a driver through their mirror(s), and later pointed it near people walking in the street (2:30). I don't know what else any of you could do, but I've reported the video and left a few comments trying to get some sense through this guy's thick skull.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/flag-video-61147.html

Here is a pre-existing thread about it, do join the discussion.

GBD said:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/flag-video-61147.html

Here is a pre-existing thread about it, do join the discussion.

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The one you linked was posted two minutes after this one. Silly GBD. :na:

:banned:

-Trevor

Heh, just wanted to make sure this got out there. That idiot posted his video as a reply to my 445 vid. Not sure why he thought I was jealous because he "got some balls". I'll be enjoying my vision and my lasers longer than that guy will, I reckon.

What? when? how?

my bad about that.

I'm sorry about the double post, I don't browse this from much myself

He also posted his video as reply on two of my videos.

FireMyLaser said:

I'm sorry about the double post, I don't browse this from much myself

He also posted his video as reply on two of my videos.

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If that's so then you can remove the response from your video page.

Do you agree that IR lasers are the worst in terms of this? Thank god people don't buy them for fun because there is no visible dot and they are quite expensive, otherwise if they would use it like this idiot on other people on cars the IR laser would have the same effect but no one knew there is a laser because it's invisible.. So you would be just blinded by some dumbass on the streets and you would no way know how or what blinded you...

BTW is the military using IR lasers as weapon targeting that are visible through nightvision goggles?

IR lasers are more dangerous because of that. they are cheaper too.
For the price of the arctic for example, I bought myself a fibercoupled IR. (should output 60W easly). The only issue with those is very terrible divergance to begin with (200 milliradians IIRC). but I have it stashed away for an ND:YAG build for the future, using the 808nm as a pump.

There are lower powered IR lasers diodes between 1W-5W, that are actually quite cheap. however with these cheap prices, luckly you need to know how to build your own, as pre-assembled and working units are rather expensive. I would be more worried about the lasers in the visable spectrum for now. Aside from the military, people who own working and portable IR lasers are quite few.

My thinking on the dumbass: "What a ripoff, this thing is so weak.. is it working? (sticks it up to his eye, sees a dim dot).. OW MY EYE!!.. (In reality the laser is outputing 3W of 808nm, but appears as <0.5mw of 650nm)

GBD said:

The only issue with those is very terrible divergance to begin with (200 milliradians IIRC).

My thinking on the dumbass: "What a ripoff, this thing is so weak.. is it working? (sticks it up to his eye, sees a dim dot).. OW MY EYE!!.. (In reality the laser is outputing 3W of 808nm, but appears as <0.5mw of 650nm)

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Yeah I almost forgot about that, they lose theri focus very rapidly. Like a normal laser focused very close, the far field gets too wide even after 10 meters?

What a definition of the dumbass

That 200 milliradian (or mrad) is from the fibercouple high powered IR bar. the lower powered one still have bad range, but are ALOT better then that.

Probably those 500mw-1W can diodes (9MM can) will have some decent focus for a short distance (wont have an issue with ten meters IMO.)

But my main point is, for the average person an IR laser is a useless piece of junk (or looks like its not working properly if they dont know what IR is supposed to look like)

Just clearing that up.

I suspect I don't need safety glasses expect I'm indoors burning stuff at close range. Can you post some outdoor, safe uses of laser with about ~100mw power? I mean star pointing avoiding airplanes, but what else?

Firsh said:

I suspect I don't need safety glasses expect I'm indoors burning stuff at close range.

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Don't say that, safety glasses is something you should always have regardless of where you are.

For outdoor use, yes, if you are pointing to the sky for example, star pointing or w/e, then it won't make much sence to wear goggles are you won't see anything. Also, for a decent range (~200-300ft) the dot isn't as bright as if it where right next to you, so I suppose you can skip on the glasses just for that occation (but use your common sence and wear them when you can and when you have prolonged exposure up close such as burning things, that bright dot can still damage your retina even without direct reflections).

So for your 100mw, its quite fun to point it at distant trees/on the ground. just keep in mind yourself and others, dont point it at people, buildings (windows for example) or anything else such as that, and also keep in mind your own safety, so don't point it at something reflective or burn stuff too close to yourself.
I think this will especailly apply at nighttime too, as your eyes are already dark adjusted and this powerfull light source can cause some issues to your vision if you are too close to it.

Generally my rule on the goggles will go with any laser 5mW> be it 100mW or several hundred watts.

^^^ good rule of thumb ^^^

I guess I'll skip using it indoors. No purpose at all. Except burning experiment but that's with goggles. I can't imagine what it would to to my tv, or bounce back from the window, or white walls.

Firsh said:

I guess I'll skip using it indoors. No purpose at all. Except burning experiment but that's with goggles. I can't imagine what it would to to my tv, or bounce back from the window, or white walls.

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You will be surprised how many things reflect Lasers :beer: Be Safe