The proper effective cheap safety glasses

AMooMooCow · Jun 11, 2015

Ok, ARG moved the thread to the Safety forum and I finished editing it up to make it way more cautionary. All fixed. Also I don't like to advertise my ebay, but I felt it is necessary since guests on the forum aren't likely to join just to send a PM, and they're basically the ones this thread was targeted at

Bionic-Badger · Jun 11, 2015

The important thing is to certify that your goggles can indeed protect your eyes. This can either be from certification organizations or reputable manufacturers, or by measuring the filters directly using a meter -- self-certification. Otherwise you're just taking the seller's word for protection. "CE Certified" also means nothing, as it's probably for ergonomics or impact.

As for IR filtered goggles for DPSS green, I'm on the fence. A decent amount of the IR from a DPSS laser is still collimated; however, the amount will depend highly on the laser you're using. Cheapo lasers will have lots of IR because they're often not filtered. Higher end lasers will have extremely small amounts of IR. I'm on the fence because goggles that filter light for both green and IR usually have very poor VLT -- the light that does get transmitted -- and may also have weaker protection from the green to compensate.

I've got two pair of such all-purpose IR + green protection goggles and never use them because it's hard to see what I'm doing. Instead I use my ARG goggles which provide extremely good green protection, even if it has minimal IR protection. Most of my DPSS greens are well-filtered for IR though.

Remember that the first most important thing about goggles is that you want to wear them. If they're uncomfortable, get in the way of your work, or break easily, they're useless. The goggles I've gotten from OEM or on eBay are comfortable, provide certified protection, and are well made. A very sound investment.

Finally, when it comes to eBay, keep an eye out for used goggles. Often you can find a nice pair of name-brand, certified argon-protection goggles (ARG, orange filters) for pretty cheap. I've even gotten some nice goggles that protect against red, etc. One time I even bought a set of 7 or something high-quality goggles of all different types of protection (even an OD30+) for about $90. Keep an eye out!

AMooMooCow · Jun 11, 2015

Bionic-Badger said:
The important thing is to certify that your goggles can indeed protect your eyes. This can either be from certification organizations or reputable manufacturers, or by measuring the filters directly using a meter -- self-certification. Otherwise you're just taking the seller's word for protection. "CE Certified" also means nothing, as it's probably for ergonomics or impact.

As for IR filtered goggles for DPSS green, I'm on the fence. A decent amount of the IR from a DPSS laser is still collimated; however, the amount will depend highly on the laser you're using. Cheapo lasers will have lots of IR because they're often not filtered. Higher end lasers will have extremely small amounts of IR. I'm on the fence because goggles that filter light for both green and IR usually have very poor VLT -- the light that does get transmitted -- and may also have weaker protection from the green to compensate.

I've got two pair of such all-purpose IR + green protection goggles and never use them because it's hard to see what I'm doing. Instead I use my ARG goggles which provide extremely good green protection, even if it has minimal IR protection. Most of my DPSS greens are well-filtered for IR though.

Remember that the first most important thing about goggles is that you want to wear them. If they're uncomfortable, get in the way of your work, or break easily, they're useless. The goggles I've gotten from OEM or on eBay are comfortable, provide certified protection, and are well made. A very sound investment.

Finally, when it comes to eBay, keep an eye out for used goggles. Often you can find a nice pair of name-brand, certified argon-protection goggles (ARG, orange filters) for pretty cheap. I've even gotten some nice goggles that protect against red, etc. One time I even bought a set of 7 or something high-quality goggles of all different types of protection (even an OD30+) for about $90. Keep an eye out!

Wow sounds like the deal of a lifetime

Thank you for that info, all good to know. I'll be sure to meter each filter, though I can't be completely accurate with a thermal LPM, I will probably reject anything in practical use that passes more than 2.5mw readings aimed directly or lower the power protection rating (xxxmw->xxmw). I couldn't measure OD with an LPM, could I? I doubt it

Bionic-Badger · Jun 11, 2015

Yeah, even though you're protected if it's below 5mW, it's not by much. For green lasers especially you want a pretty high OD rating because of the eye's sensitivity to the wavelength. Those ARG goggles have like OD6-7 or something, and the dot is still pretty visible. For red, it doesn't have to be that high of an OD beyond safe limits.

You can measure OD if you know the input power and output power and have a meter that can detect power below a mW (for useful ODs that is).

OD = -log10(output_power / input_power)

Encap · Jun 11, 2015

AgentMcBaine said:
Ok, ARG moved the thread to the Safety forum and I finished editing it up to make it way more cautionary. All fixed. Also I don't like to advertise my ebay, but I felt it is necessary since guests on the forum aren't likely to join just to send a PM, and they're basically the ones this thread was targeted at

Your revisions make a much better thread/ give a much clearer message.

This thread along with the others in this section give quite a bit if information of lasers safety glasses/goggles.

Offering "tested" economy glasses/goggles provides a real service for people without the $s or not wanting to spend $50+ on goggles, not to mention how you would feel if you sold low cost goggles you didn't test and someone suffered serious eye damage as a result---testing them before selling is the only way to go.

Alaskan · Jun 19, 2015

I found an online calculator where you can enter the wavelength as well as the power level, what do you think?

https://www.lia.org/evaluator/od.php

hwang21 · Jun 19, 2015

IMO- you only have one set of eyes. Why risk them with cheap safety goggles. Accidents can and do happen

AMooMooCow · Jun 20, 2015

Alaskan said:
I found an online calculator where you can enter the wavelength as well as the power level, what do you think?

https://www.lia.org/evaluator/od.php

Seems like a good calculator. It looks like it sets passed power to 1mw for a good margin of safety. I could use this if I ever got an optical LPM

Alaskan · Jun 20, 2015

I've been looking at some OD5 rated safety goggles listed on ebay by techhood for months now, thinking I might buy these due to their wide continuous absorption across 190nm-540nm and 800nm-1700nm. They would be good for everything I work with except 650-638nm red that I do very little with. Of course they must pass some part of the visible spectrum or you might as well have a piece of aluminum in front of your eyes; blind.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141073223568

The price seems to be too low for Eagle Pair branded goggles, hope they aren't a knock off. I prefer goggles so I can use glasses under them for close in work. Today, anything within arms reach I need reading glasses, i.e. cell phone camera to detect and view IR.

AMooMooCow · Jun 20, 2015

Alaskan said:
I've been looking at some OD5 rated safety goggles listed on ebay by techhood for months now, thinking I might buy these due to their wide continuous absorption across 190nm-540nm and 800nm-1700nm. They would be good for everything I work with except 650-638nm red that I do very little with.

Type OD 5 190nm 540nm 800nm 1700nm Laser Protective Goggles | eBay

The price seems to be too low for Eagle Pair branded goggles, hope they aren't a knock off. I prefer goggles so I can use glasses under them for close in work.

yeah, I have trouble trusting techhood ever since I figured out they don't test their inventory even on a scheduled basis
Please do share results if you get some. These could be way safer than the regular cheap ones
Edit: haha, didn't click on the link. But no matter the price, please do share

Alaskan · Jun 20, 2015

OK, will do and report back.

Pi R Squared · Jun 20, 2015

Alaskan said:
I've been looking at some OD5 rated safety goggles listed on ebay by techhood for months now, thinking I might buy these due to their wide continuous absorption across 190nm-540nm and 800nm-1700nm. They would be good for everything I work with except 650-638nm red that I do very little with. Of course they must pass some part of the visible spectrum or you might as well have a piece of aluminum in front of your eyes; blind.

Type OD 5 190nm 540nm 800nm 1700nm Laser Protective Goggles | eBay

The price seems to be too low for Eagle Pair branded goggles, hope they aren't a knock off. I prefer goggles so I can use glasses under them for close in work. Today, anything within arms reach I need reading glasses, i.e. cell phone camera to detect and view IR.

I don't see that style listed on
Product-Beijing EagleView
they are listed as Eagle Pair EP-1, those appear to be available in 3 frame styles,
EP-1 -Beijing EagleView
that doesn't mean they aren't real, they could have been discontinued.

Alan

Alaskan · Jun 21, 2015

I tried to find them too, couldn't. When I asked techhood if they are EP-1 he said that was an error and would fix it, but that was months ago and the listing remains the same.

Edit: Through more goggling I found them, but the specs I found indicate they are not OD5 for the whole spectrum as they are stated to be, they drop down to OD4 at IR & 532! For most hobbyists that won't make them unsafe to use, for example 1 watt a 532nm requires a minimum of OD3, but I have a 50 watt 808nm laser I want to use these for which requires a minimum of 4.9 OD.

Update: Robinson at Techhood responded to my question regarding the specifications discrepancy and is telling me that these goggles are version 2 which have OD 5+ specifications & that he will provide the updated information from the manufacturer Tuesday. I will update this post when I get it.

EP-1-10

http://www.eaglelaser.cn/GoodsView/738.html

GSS · Jun 24, 2015

Hi im waiting for a set HDE red saftey glasses from amazon #J74 NEW as of now I only have green 532nm pointers but im looking into a 445nm or 450nm at about 80 to 100mw. the sight says basiclly says good for green and blue lasers. Yes I do know they are cheap. What can you say about them till I get better ones? also can red safety glasses cover those wavelengths I dont plan on buying different color lasers other than the blue anytime soon. thanks

AMooMooCow · Jun 29, 2015

GSS said:
Hi im waiting for a set HDE red saftey glasses from amazon #J74 NEW as of now I only have green 532nm pointers but im looking into a 445nm or 450nm at about 80 to 100mw. the sight says basiclly says good for green and blue lasers. Yes I do know they are cheap. What can you say about them till I get better ones? also can red safety glasses cover those wavelengths I dont plan on buying different color lasers other than the blue anytime soon. thanks

I haven't bought red HDE glasses, only the blue ones. Red glasses typically cover blue and green lasers, but I can't say for sure unless I had your exact glasses to test. I think I read on this thread or elsewhere that there's a chance they might not protect you from blue

LEDbeam · Feb 23, 2016

GSS said:
Then more research is I should do I will hold off on the blue laser till I get the right glasses, like everyone says GET the glasses first:wave::thanks:

I can't find the thread, but there was someone who sounded very experienced who said that the whole thing about safety glasses is overblown. He was saying that if a person uses reasonable care and doesn't shine the laser at shiny objects indoors, they would be fine. I imagine this to be especially true if someone was using even the cheapest safety glasses. It seems that if you don't look at the dot up close, or shine the thing directly at your eyes, or view the reflection of either, you're fine. Shine it into the sky and view the beam and you're fine. But many people seem to view lasers up close, such as when burning things. THAT'S when you'll need serious protection. Distance takes quite a bit of power from a laser's hazardous radiation as long as it's not a direct viewing of the laser source.

FWIW, I plan on getting a blue laser and will be looking into red glasses. But with those, I will still use the laser cautiously as if I weren't using the glasses at all. Kind of like not relying on the safety on a gun. Treat it as if loaded, cocked and ready.

At the same time, I'm open to correction.

The proper effective cheap safety glasses

AMooMooCow

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Bionic-Badger

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AMooMooCow

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Bionic-Badger

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Encap

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AMooMooCow

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Alaskan

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AMooMooCow

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Pi R Squared

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