5mW green laser safety?

[jamiewillis]

Reading the spec of 5mW green lasers I found that they use a high power 200-500mW IR diode with a crystal to change the wavelength, and IR filter to filter IR light that leaked through the crystal.

I have two questions regarding this and would appreciate if someone could give me an answer.

1) I've read that cheaper 5mW lasers can leak IR light up to few tens of mW. How much IR light is leaking in higher quality lasers, like laserglow and others which come with IR filter?

2) How likely is it that either the crystal or IR filter breaks or gets misaligned etc by accidentally dropping the laser or by other means? And if that happens would I basically end up with a dangerous up to a few hundred mW IR laser that could damage the eyes with a light a person can't even see?

Thanks

 

[00Giorge]

Don't shine it at someones eye or anybody ever and you won't have to worry about it.
That could happen and it does happen, I have dropped mine and it didn't break but I don't have an IR filter either.

And by the way welcome to LPF.

 

[immafirihmahlazor2012]

I don't know.
But I know 5mw RED lasers of the class IIIa are safe if you use them carefully.
It will not cause instant damage. But I don't know if it's the same for green lazors

Also,if you buy a 5mw ONLY 5MW blue lazor:
:lasergun:

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

I don't know.
But I know 5mw RED lasers of the class IIIa are safe if you use them carefully.
It will not cause instant damage. But I don't know if it's the same for green lazors

Also,if you buy a 5mw ONLY 5MW blue lazor:
:lasergun:

Is every post by you going to be an excuse to use that smiley? Seriously man...