It only takes a micro second for something to go wrong and I just don't want myself or any of us getting hurt. Doesn't matter how long you have worked with these, the danger is always there and the chance of something happening can increase exponentially if we get too comfortable with them.
I've been saying a lot lately concerning the new standard of power.
3.5 years ago when I joined the big deal was a 1W blue Spartan (a laser which I still own). I really don't like how things have changed for the much worse. Obviously I need to clarify that statement.
I am specifically referring to how it no longer is any big deal to own a class 4 laser and in fact it seems the new standard for a new person is in the 2-3W range. I just cannot see how it is a good thing for someone new to this hobby to start out with such a dangerous unit. There's no learning curve anymore on how to handle it.
I remember how incredible it was when someone (it may have been Pi) discovered Fasttech was selling 50mW 532nm modules and we were all buying them like crazy. Something a 532nm will give you that other cheap wavelengths won't is an easy to see beam that is not only fascinating but a place to learn to respect what you are dealing with. You see the beam and learn that the dot is brighter than your eyes are comfortable dealing with so even though it's not great at burning you can be fascinated and respect how you handle it. Now it's 2-3W of fire stick that is cheap enough that they are handled carelessly because you can just buy another one.
I remember when this race car driver was going to purchase a powerful unit for his first laser and how dismissive he was over the safety aspect. He claimed that because he knew safety from racing cars that made him automatically equipped to handle a high powered laser. Because you know the rules and safety behind something doesn't mean you get a pass for something else and I called him out on it which just made him madder and DTR whom he bought the module from was regretting he got involved with the guy. You think it would have been a go on my part if I said I knew all about Laser safety so I automatically get a pass on race car safety?
My point is its great that we have a bunch of choices and some really high output ones but there is a price to pay for it and there are not enough members suggesting new members start off with something way less dangerous but are encouraging the high powered norm.
That being said, I sure hope this diode has 20x what it takes to be class 4 for those who are truly responsible enough to treat it with the respect it needs to be given
Well, fortunately the 445, 520 and other direct diode lasers usually have pretty bad divergence. The increased eye hazard is somewhat offset by the fact that the spot will be a lot bigger when pointed at a plane, sports player etc. Now if somebody had a beam expander and wanted to harass people that would be very worrisome.
