A noob question regarding 1W 445nm safety

Hi guys,

Fairly new here and have been playing around with my 532nm 100mw for a while now and am already thinking of getting a 1W 445nm laser. I understand the hazards of these lasers at such power, but to what extent? Does looking at the beam dot on a white wall hazardous? or looking at the beam itself when shining into the sky ? i've seen some recommendations which i think might be exaggerated.

So if there is no indirect hit, no reflections of beam, is it safe to view the beam/dot of this blue laser?

I know the importance of wearing a safety goggles each time the laser is operated but i also want the freedom of playing tht laser freely when outside and i cant be wearing em safety goggles all the time ?

Hope to get some advice

Thanks

Beam on the sky - safe.
Dot on the white wall - safe from some distance, not safe under it. Safe distance not easy to calculate.
Burning - ie watching dot from close - not safe.
Manipulating with the laser inside where it can hit shiny objects - not safe.
Manipulating with the laser where it can fall and shine anywhere - not safe.
As you can see .. most of the time such laser is not safe without goggles.

Good advice.

Also watch out for retroreflectors that are often used for traffic signs.

They bounce the beam right back at you, and frankly, I was stunned the first time a 2W beam hit my eye, even with goggles.

Cheers! :beer:

don't play with it in the car )

ryansoh3 said:

Good advice.

Also watch out for retroreflectors that are often used for traffic signs.

They bounce the beam right back at you, and frankly, I was stunned the first time a 2W beam hit my eye, even with goggles.

Cheers! :beer:

Click to expand...

Too true! I did that once with a 5 mW (LPM'ed) green at about 1.5 Km and was shocked how bright it was! :beer:

Wearing goggles to protect your eyes = Safe
Having your friends watch without eye protection = Not Safe
Assembling the laser and putting in the batteries while wearing goggles = Safe, Doing so without goggles on = Not Safe

CDRGlock said:

Wearing goggles to protect your eyes = Safe
Having your friends watch without eye protection = Not Safe
Assembling the laser and putting in the batteries while wearing goggles = Safe, Doing so without goggles on = Not Safe

Click to expand...

I don't agree.
BTW, are you trolling?

Cel said:

I don't agree.
BTW, are you trolling?

Click to expand...

No. I am not.

DrSid said:

Beam on the sky - safe.
Dot on the white wall - safe from some distance, not safe under it. Safe distance not easy to calculate.
Burning - ie watching dot from close - not safe.
Manipulating with the laser inside where it can hit shiny objects - not safe.
Manipulating with the laser where it can fall and shine anywhere - not safe.
As you can see .. most of the time such laser is not safe without goggles.

Click to expand...

ryansoh3 said:

Good advice.

Also watch out for retroreflectors that are often used for traffic signs.

They bounce the beam right back at you, and frankly, I was stunned the first time a 2W beam hit my eye, even with goggles.

Cheers! :beer:

Click to expand...

CDRGlock said:

Wearing goggles to protect your eyes = Safe
Having your friends watch without eye protection = Not Safe
Assembling the laser and putting in the batteries while wearing goggles = Safe, Doing so without goggles on = Not Safe

Click to expand...

LOL, IE, you are always the best!

Good one.