Can't look at lasers......

[EpicHam]

Newbie here .
Just got my first laser and just started poking around with it ... (literally).

Here is a video if it burning a hole in a stool.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151648360113738&l=4933308248596360609

However... it kinda sadden me how I can't look at the laser at its full glory ...
I had to wear goggles , and even then I can only see the laser beam at work through the camera footage.....

Now it got me wondering...
Does this happen to you too:cryyy:

 

[Lazerbeak]

Yes.
Made a beam shroud, pointed in the sky for the first time last night. Still only helps so much. But I like my sight Got hit by a random reflection from a 1.5W laser, I'm sure the goggles saved me from serious damage.

~ LB

 

[grainde]

You can shine your laser outside without goggles if you are careful. Make sure there are no planes over head, no people, cars etc in the path of the beam and try to have something to act as a beam stop if you are not shining in the sky. Try to pick something more than 10 - 15 meters away, which is non reflective and dark. The top of a tree works well for example.


I actually use lower powered lasers indoors on occasion without goggles. There are certain rules you should follow and be ultra cautious however. No reflective surfaces, no scanning, no people who could get in the beam path, know where the beam will terminate etc. I was chatting to Daguin a while back and will probably start a thread on the subject. :beer:


Edit: Lol LB :beer:

 

[norbyx]

Well that is the whole point in having lasers with different power outputs. Super powerful lasers aren't nice for you to look at, since you can't look at them. Sometimes a low power is the way to go to have some fun at home.

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks Grainde :beer: A thread by Daguin? Should be enlightening and if it goes off-topic may be entertaining too.

Agreed Norbyx, just gave a few low-powered ones away to the nieces and nephews Actually pulled them away from Minecraft for a bit.

~ LB

 

[Gun]

^ Minecraft is awesome

Anyway, there are still two ways that you still can use lasers indoors without any issues.

Firstly, use lower powered lasers. In a way, lower powered lasers appeal to me more than something very powerful. With a 1W, you can't look at the dot without risking eye damage, so no one really uses them indoors without goggles. With a 50mW however, you can glance at the dot without doing any damage, but obviously you still have to be careful.

Secondly, you can buy/make a beamstop. A beamstop is basically something that stops you from seeing the dot. You could either have a cylinder which the laser points inside, so then if you stand to the side you can't see the dot. I've heard you can also just paint a ceramic-like surface such as a brick with black "thermo paint" or something.

Sigurthr has a thread that explains a lot of this

 

[EpicHam]

Its time like this makes me feel like the guy who swiftly knocked his own tooth out by buying a .44 as his first pistol lol

 

[Lazerbeak]

Is everyone addicted to Minecraft or what? lol. Still have it sitting on my HD, I'll have to get around to playing it.

Good deal gun, I'm planning on getting some more lower powered lasers to play with indoors.

~ LB

 

[Gun]

Is everyone addicted to Minecraft or what? lol. Still have it sitting on my HD, I'll have to get around to playing it.

Good deal gun, I'm planning on getting some more lower powered lasers to play with indoors.

~ LB

I am! I've based my whole YouTube channel around it .

 

[Laik]

I just got a <5mW red keychain today at my local markets. I don't know how the old guy managed to get 50 of them through, they were clearly marked <5mW.

 

[firelaser]

what wavelength and power si that ? 1 W 445nm?

 

[EpicHam]

what wavelength and power si that ? 1 W 445nm?

About so.

its the last of the 1W O-like tactical .
Before collimation lens output at around 1035mW.
Collimated a crappy 800ish mw .

But still , the heatsink is alright.

 

[IsaacT]

Okay, let me start off by saying that I do not advocate the use of high powered lasers without Laser Safety Glasses.

With that said, unless my laser is over 1W I just make sure:
1. No mirrors will encounter the beam nor any other reflective surfaces.
2. No other beings, human or otherwise will enter the room as I am lasing.

If the laser is uncomfortable to look at without safety glasses DON'T look at it. If you don't have to squint due to the massive amounts of diffuse reflections off the wall then you should be fine messing around with it in doors. If it leaves floaters in your vision, be careful. That indicates that it is overloading your sensors in your eyes with light.

Lasers I use indoors without safety glasses:
520nm 80-100mW(depending on lens)
532nm 115mW
650nm 255mW
405nm 110mW, 500mW
450nm 225mW
638nm 460mW(limited use, as it is very bright)

Lasers I do not use indoors without glasses on(exception, if the beam is pointing such that I cannot see the dot[i.e. - into a closet or something])
Any high powered 445nm Lasers.
My old 250mW 532nm Laser.


If you are careful and understand the risks, then you can create a safe environment which will allow you to view the beam of your laser unhindered by many layers of optical density.

Peace,
Isaac

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks Issac! That actually helps alleviate some of the anxiety I've been having regarding my indoor lasing Will trip with my 660nm 200mw tonight.

~ LB

 

[scumbagatheist]

LB, if it makes you feel better, you new investment is not SO powerful that you wont enjoy it indoors (with precautions, of course!). I play with my MS-SSW indoors and like to bounce the beam across the apartment by reflecting it off of the mounted microwave window...the cats have no idea what to chase! But, the reflected beam is weak and way at the top of the wall @ the ceiling where they cannot get it.

One other thing folks can do is outfit their lasers with 2-mode switches. I love being able to use my 2W 445 indoors, on a low setting! It may not actually be lasing, but the cats cannot tell the difference!

 

[Lazerbeak]

Thanks SBA I have thought about the advantages of that 520 build in that respect.

the cats have no idea what to chase! But, the reflected beam is weak and way at the top of the wall @ the ceiling where they cannot get it.

:crackup: my cats go crazy with the low powered lasers too.

I have a 2 mode switch build I'm contemplating. I'm hoping it's not to difficult to figure out, I like the idea a lot. I remember you mentioning it in one of your other builds.

~ LB