Are duty cycle usually built-in?

[lazylazer]

When you buy a laser pointer with a specific duty cycle, do you have to turn off the laser yourself when the max on-time is reached, or does the device itself enforce the duty cycle?

 

[diachi]

When you buy a laser pointer with a specific duty cycle, do you have to turn off the laser yourself when the max on-time is reached, or does the device itself enforce the duty cycle?

You'll need to turn it off yourself.

Some higher end pointers may have some sort of thermal protection built in, but can't say I've seen that myself.

 

[lasersbee]

When you buy a laser pointer with a specific duty cycle, do you have to turn off the laser yourself when the max on-time is reached, or does the device itself enforce the duty cycle?

As diachi stated...
Simple answer... YES.. You control ON/OFF
times.
Unless a Laser Pointer seller specifically
states that his product has an automatic
duty cycle shut off.
To my knowledge there are no such Laser
pointers.

Jerry