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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Laser recommendation?

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New to the group. Fairly new to lasers as well. Looking for a recommendation. I work in a very loud factory, alot of our communication is non verbal and hand gestures. I thought I might be able to use a laser to point things out to other employees from greater distance. I'm looking for a hand held laser that runs off 18650 batteries. Preferably aluminum body, something with a pocket clip for easy carrying. Something with a focusing lens would be great so i could also use it as a makeshift flashlight with the beam unfocused. I would also like this laser to be dual purpose, as I am an avid outdoorsmen, I'd like to carry it in my pack when camping and hunting to use as an emergency signal or potentially to start a fire. Color of the laser doesnt matter so much, but I guess if I had a preference I'd pick green or blue. I'm not sure what wattage/power I would need to start a fire. I'd like to stay under $100 if it's possible to get one that meets all my criteria. Any tips on makes, models, or if anyone here has one for sale or builds them, please contact me. Thanks in advance for any help and information.
 
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New to the group. Fairly new to lasers as well. Looking for a recommendation. I work in a very loud factory, alot of our communication is non verbal and hand gestures. I thought I might be able to use a laser to point things out to other employees from greater distance. I'm looking for a hand held laser that runs off 18650 batteries. Preferably aluminum body, something with a pocket clip for easy carrying. Something with a focusing lens would be great so i could also use it as a makeshift flashlight with the beam unfocused. I would also like this laser to be dual purpose, as I am an avid outdoorsmen, I'd like to carry it in my pack when camping and hunting to use as an emergency signal or potentially to start a fire. Color of the laser doesnt matter so much, but I guess if I had a preference I'd pick green or blue. I'm not sure what wattage/power I would need to start a fire. I'd like to stay under $1100 if it's possible to get one that meets all my criteria. Any tips on makes, models, or if anyone here has one for sale or builds them, please contact me. Thanks in advance for any help and information.

It seems that you're looking at 3 different Lasers...
-One that can be used safely around other people indoors.
-One for emergency signalling outdoors.
-One to start fires.

BTW it would have been nice if you introduced yourself
to the Forum members in the welcome section..:)

Welcome - Laser Pointer Forums


Jerry
 

diachi

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It seems that you're looking at 3 different Lasers...
-One that can be used safely around other people indoors.
-One for emergency signalling outdoors.
-One to start fires.

BTW it would have been nice if you introduced yourself
to the Forum members in the welcome section..:)

Welcome - Laser Pointer Forums


Jerry

As far as the third one goes ... better to keep a flint and steel on your person with a little ziplock bag of cotton wool. Bring a Zippo too. Far more reliable than a laser. But yes, you probably want two products, a low power pointer for indoors use and something a little more powerful for signalling.
 
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My apologies on not introducing myself. I didn't know that was standard protocol ha ha ha.
 
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And I guess I'm just confused now, as I have seen lasers that can burn paper, light a match, or pop a balloon, but are still considered "low powered" at like 5mW. I assumed that power was safe to use around other people. Obviously no laser is "safe" if your being foolish and shining it in someones eyes, which is the farthest from what I intend on doing.
 
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Get a Bic for fire starting fires and an eye safe (<5mw) for pointing. As for the fire starting, get some cotton balls and tie 6 or so into a ball and dip into melted wax. They will start a fire in the worst of conditions.
Ed
 
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Don't double post, a well known troll likes to come in here and pretend to be a newie by doing that.
 

Razako

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Any laser strong enough to light fires will cause eye damage just by looking at the dot without eye protection. Your best bet would be to get a general 5mw laser for signalling/pointing, and then get a lighter to start fires.
 

BowtieGuy

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And I guess I'm just confused now, as I have seen lasers that can burn paper, light a match, or pop a balloon, but are still considered "low powered" at like 5mW. I assumed that power was safe to use around other people. Obviously no laser is "safe" if your being foolish and shining it in someones eyes, which is the farthest from what I intend on doing.


What you've probably seen are Chinese sellers on ebay selling "burning" lasers, and then claiming they are 5mW. They do this to skirt the law that doesn't allow any hand held lasers over 5mW to be imported and sold in the US.
Most all of these lasers are well over 5mW and require eye protection.
 
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I agree with the lighter. To get something to actually catch fire with a laser.. you will need a lot of power. I brought flashpaper with me camping last year so I could start a fire with my laser... 15 feet away.. ha. But that was just for fun
 
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Any laser strong enough to light fires will cause eye damage just by looking at the dot without eye protection. Your best bet would be to get a general 5mw laser for signalling/pointing, and then get a lighter to start fires.
Is this also true for IR lasers? I've been having trouble interpreting answers I got regarding this. I have an 800mw 980nm laser and obviously it's invisible but still can light matches. Will this diffused IR light still burn the retina or damage the cornea?

To the OP, as EVERYONE has said, a lighter is far more reliable way to go. Liquid fuel much longer than batteries in most cases.
 
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Is this also true for IR lasers? I've been having trouble interpreting answers I got regarding this. I have an 800mw 980nm laser and obviously it's invisible but still can light matches. Will this diffused IR light still burn the retina or damage the cornea?

To the OP, as EVERYONE has said, a lighter is far more reliable way to go. Liquid fuel much longer than batteries in most cases.

If a Power Meter registers 800mW it makes no difference
if the wavelength is visible or not...
It is still 800mW and requires Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses.
The surface being a match or your retina makes no difference
to the Laser's beam.


Jerry
 

diachi

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If a Power Meter registers 800mW it makes no difference
if the wavelength is visible or not...
It is still 800mW and requires Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses.
The surface being a match or your retina makes no difference
to the Laser's beam.


Jerry


The exception being much longer wave IR and into the UV, they'll cook your cornea and not your retina ... which is also not a good thing, although I feel that goes without saying.
 
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