Some laser knowhow/vocab

[lardtazium]

Hey guys! I'm still relatively new to this hobby, and I really don't feel like messing up right now.

Whats a duty Cycle? Whats it do?

Whats a host, and a pot and all that stuff.

Whats the LED indicator do

Do people get eye damage from looking at the dot on a wall maybe 10 feet away from a 50mw?

Glasses...where can I get about 3 pairs cheapish

If a cop sees me with a laser, in Colorado, what'll he do?

 

[CrazyMonkey]

Some of these questions are pretty basic.
Duty cycle means how long you can leave it on for, then leave it off for.
If some lasers get too hot, they die

Host = the container for the laser, like a flashlight "host".

Led Indicator? uhh, its a light. lit = on....

10ft @50mw, probably not. If it is diffuse. If its reflective, maybe...

Ill let someone else cover the others

 

[qumefox]

You should probably search, but i'm bored atm.. so what the hell. heh.

1) Time running vs time off. Most pointers aren't rated for 100% duty cycle. So for ever X minutes they run, your supposed to turn them off for Y minutes to let it cool. Varies from laser to laser. Check manufacturer specs.

2a) Host.. Something you put your laser diode in. Can be anything from a flashlight to a happymeal toy.. It's all up to you.

2b) Pot.. Potentiometer. Typically how you adjust the current the driver is putting out.. and typically something it's best to leave alone unless you know what your doing unless you like killing lasers.

3)WTF... You don't know what an LED is? In the sense your talking about though, it's just an indicator that the laser is outputting a beam. Usually pointless on visible lasers, but still a legally required safety feature.

4) No. But it might leave temporary streaks in your vision if you stare at it too long.

5) Use the google, Luke...

6) Shoot you then take your laser and run off cackling with glee.

 

[oic0]

Green usually lets you know when its too bright, hurts your eyes. 50mw from 10ft away is like staring into a tiny bright flashlight, bit too much for comfort to me atleast. A direct hit from 50 via reflection will prolly kill some retinal cells though so in general its a bad indoor pointer.

Pot is potentiometer. Know the volume knob on old stereos? same device, just larger. Turning adjusts power.

Cop reaction will depend on what youre doing and who the cop is. If you arent being a nuisance and the dot doesnt appear dangerous, how does he know you didnt just walk out of walmart with it. They arent illegal devices so long as you arent doing illegal things with em.

 

[qumefox]

They arent illegal devices

That just depends on where you live. Even in the US, there are a lot of counties, towns, etc, that have laser bans. There just isn't one on the national level.

 

[Kevlar]

You should probably search, but i'm bored atm.. so what the hell. heh.

LOL:crackup::crackup::crackup:

This mad me laugh, thanks!! :beer: