5mW 405 nm blue violet laser from ebay - safe?

Tas · Jun 29, 2014

I purchased this laser pointer from ebay, wicked cheap so no biggie it was $3, before I knew any better. I decided not to use the laser for my original intention after reading some reviews of a similar laser here that were way off spec. I asked the seller if he had true on spec lasers under 5mW and he answered that he could send me a label for the laser reading whatever specs I wanted.

What would be the use of this laser then? Is there anything I can add to it to make it safe for use as a pointer?
Just wondering if there's anything I can do with it or just chuck it.

FallOutFighter · Jun 29, 2014

Tas said:
I purchased this laser pointer from ebay, wicked cheap so no biggie it was $3, before I knew any better. I decided not to use the laser for my original intention after reading some reviews of a similar laser here that were way off spec. I asked the seller if he had true on spec lasers under 5mW and he answered that he could send me a label for the laser reading whatever specs I wanted.

What would be the use of this laser then? Is there anything I can add to it to make it safe for use as a pointer?
Just wondering if there's anything I can do with it or just chuck it.

Well you can never know the true power of a laser if it's ordered from Ebay. You have 3 choices. You could use the laser cautiously and make sure not to point it at people/yourself/anything reflective and hope for the best. You could buy safety goggles but then they would cost you at least $8 for cheap ones. Or you could just get rid of the laser when you get it which is what I would do.

mortuus · Jun 29, 2014

those lasers are probably like 20-40mw or so i have one too i bought before to test what they go for.. just make sure you dont get it in your eyes or shine at surfaces that can reflect back you should be good.

Deleted member 16589 · Jun 29, 2014

Its hit or miss really.
I bought one for my brother a little over a year ago for $6 and the one I got metered at 98mW :wtf: . so be careful without a meter there's no way to tell for sure.
If your that concerned about it you could have a member meter it for you.

vortish · Jun 29, 2014

Tas depending on what country your in( it would be helpful to at least put your country in your area by your avatar) there are members that will meter your laser for free just have to provide shipping. If you really want a on spec 5mw you need to buy it from a reputable company not one of the cheap pens from ebay most are over spec and some of them are way over spec. A friend bought one recently and was goofing around with it ( I never would do that with what I know now with out glasses on) and it hit a reflective surface and hit him in the eye. He had to go to a eye doc to check his vision out because of pain shortly after he got poped. I am wondering if he got one of those rare ones that is over a 100 mw! so you have to be really carefull with those pens from ebay imo

NightExplorer96 · Jun 30, 2014

vortish said:
If you really want a on spec 5mw you need to buy it from a reputable company

The only place I know of which sells TRUE 5mW pointers is LaserGlow, but be aware they ain't cheap(most of the price is mark-up) since LG are just CNI re-sellers. But if you have the extra money to spend and want to be sure you have an eye-safe pointer this is the place to go!

Laserglow Technologies

-Alex

mortuus · Jun 30, 2014

$239 for a true 5mW 405nm laser pointer is to me ridicilous... why so high price? i dont understand why a low powered laser pen cost that much? i just cant see myself spend over 200 dollars on a low laser like that how is it worth all that money?

NightExplorer96 · Jun 30, 2014

mortuus said:
$239 for a true 5mW 405nm laser pointer is to me ridicilous... why so high price? i dont understand why a low powered laser pen cost that much? i just cant see myself spend over 200 dollars on a low laser like that how is it worth all that money?

LaserGlow prices are so expensive since they markup the original prices due to their quality tests they perform along with the name brand. I completely agree $240 is way more then what is reasonable, but to some people who have the extra money to spend and want to receive a product which has been carefully manufactured to meet their needs(nothing more/nothing less) LG is such a place they can buy from

-Alex

Tas · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks guys. I have some ideas after looking around on lazerer's site of some other things I can try with this $3 laser. I might find some use to it after all...

Thanks vortish, good point I'm new and hadn't looked into the avatar at all.

Alex thanks. Yes the reason I got the laser for, it's very important that it's eye safe. Thanks for your endorsement of Laserglow. It's good knowing they do all that and I don't spend a similar amount on a laser from a place that doesn't do all those measures.

I was looking for a keychain type laser though. But if I don't find a true on spec 5 mW or less then looks like laserglow will be it for me.

NightExplorer96 · Jun 30, 2014

Tas said:
But if I don't find a true on spec 5 mW or less then looks like laserglow will be it for me.

LaserGlow's 635nm(Libra) & 532nm(Anser) pointers are very well priced. I own both myself and have never been more satisfied. Maybe check those out since the others are pretty over-priced IMO

-Alex

Tas · Jun 30, 2014

Alex: Yup I've been undecided between the two and maybe you can help since you own both. I don't want to get in trouble since it's not about the blue.
Are the libra and the anser about equally eye safe? And is there a big difference in how visible they are?

NightExplorer96 · Jun 30, 2014

Tas said:
Alex: Yup I've been undecided between the two and maybe you can help since you own both. I don't want to get in trouble since it's not about the blue.
Are the libra and the anser about equally eye safe? And is there a big difference in how visible they are?

Yes, both are under 5mW where 5mW is considered the "eye-safe limit", so you are A.O.K on that!

The human eye peak wavelength visibility(brightest wavelength seen) are as follows:
Day: 555nm
Night: 507nm

^The Anser will be much brighter then the Libra both during the day and night since it is located closer to the peak wavelength visibility. Trust me, when you turn on the Libra it will be a cool redish/orange dot but man, the Ansers dot easily covered the Libra's dot with green goodness

-Alex

Tas · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks for your help!
...now I want the Lyra..prettier

5mW 405 nm blue violet laser from ebay - safe?

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