Are laser mice really... lasers?

[Hiemal]

I know we've all heard of laser mice for computers, and the bright red color that's underneath the mouse...

Is it a true laser (out of focus) , or is it just a really bright LED?

 

[Mohrenberg]

The ones I have taken apart are just leds

 

[jimdt7]

The ones I have taken apart are just leds

Same for me

Jim

 

[joeyss]

They're leds in what look to be the 620-630nm range.

 

[Eudaimonium]

Ones with bright red light are simple optical mice with LED lights.

There are mice with laser diodes, usually in 800+nm range, invisible, but you can see a small reddish dot with cellphone camera or webcamera. However, their power does not go over 0.25mW so it's completely safe... and useless if taken apart.

 

[MarioMaster]

I've got a Logitech G5 laser mouse, the light is completely invisible to the eye, but produces a very nice white dot on a camera without an IR filter. You can project the dot across the room like a normal laser pointer as well.

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

I've got a Logitech G5 laser mouse, the light is completely invisible to the eye, but produces a very nice white dot on a camera without an IR filter. You can project the dot across the room like a normal laser pointer as well.

You have the same mouse as me I have an old sony video camera with nightshot and it does indeed point perfectly across the room, hehe.

On that note, I LOVE my G5

Edit: Mario, do you mind metering your G5 sometime please? I'm curious.

 

[MarioMaster]

Click Image to Enlarge

 

[LaZeRz]

Its only a matter of time before an idiot points a laser mouse at a plane...

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

Its only a matter of time before an idiot points a laser mouse at a plane...

Lmfao! Does that mean a Logitech G5 is illegal for you to own in Australia? haha

Thanks for doing that, Mario

 

[LaZeRz]

Hahaha, Its only a matter of time!

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

Well it IS over 1mW

 

[LaZeRz]

Oh no, AU government is gonna drop the ban hammer on mice!

 

[Things]

That's actually a good question. A laser over 1mW you can easily buy in Australia

I've had one of those mice before, indeed the IR dot was pretty awesome!

 

[ped]

Click Image to Enlarge

Is that a set of Altec Lansing ACS-10 speakers I see? I have the same speakers, had them for over 10 years.

 

[HaloBlu]

Is the Australian 1mW limit even for labbies? With wireless laser mice, if needed, I'm sure the corporations would just bend law makers to their will.