Do I Need Safety Glasses Outside?

[FallOutFighter]

I ordered a laser from Survival Laser. It's 1,100mW and 445nm. For safety glasses I have an Eagle Pair that I will always be wearing when doing things like burning. When I am pointing the laser outside from a window at grass and trees should I wear safety glasses? If I don't am I taking any risks that my eyes will get damaged? I won't be pointing it at like cars or stop signs but does some light still get reflected from grass and other surfaces?

 

[Pi R Squared]

Mostly the answer is no you wont need them, but you need to know when to use caution shining it at a reflective surface or at something up close or when burning something, this is where the danger is.

Alan

 

[Teej]

Just keep in mind that something wet, a shiny piece of debris, glass, etc, that you didn't expect to be there, etc...can suddenly flash you in the eyes.

If the reflective surface is far away, the damage might be temporary, but, you'd be surprised at the strength of what can bounce back sometimes.

I find that for stronger lasers, even outdoors, I wear the glasses just to be able to focus the beam, as otherwise, its just too bright to look at enough to tell when I get the focus dialed in perfectly.

I noticed that effect when popping balloons ~ 15' away or so....w/o the glasses on, I couldn't get it focused tightly enough, and was always over/under shooting the wee rice sized dot's focus.

 

[mortuus]

outside i dont see why u would need glasses, if u shine a 1w laser indoors it gets crazy bright but outdoors? the beam kinda dont shine exactly outdoors which is good.

 

[USAbro]

Also, be careful with looking at the dot for too long and using it too long at a time without glasses. Especially if it's 445nm, even if it doesn't hurt or seem to bright, I've had the experience of having trouble focusing my eyes for about a day after using a laser for about twenty minutes.
Just my $0.02.

 

[Teej]

outside i dont see why u would need glasses, if u shine a 1w laser indoors it gets crazy bright but outdoors? the beam kinda dont shine exactly outdoors which is good.

Its when it reflects back into your eye...not as much about how bright your normally-dim-outside laser LOOKS...its about what it would be like to have someone point it into YOUR EYE from that effective range.

IE: When the beam accidentally passes over a gum wrapper/piece of glass etc...and BAM!!! Right back atcha.

For some wattages and/or wavelengths...the damage starts so fast you don't even blink. I've seen it happen, and, its NOT pretty, or fun...or, worth risking.

So, sure, outdoors is far less risky than indoors...but, can still be risky all the same. You want to know your background, and, if you feel comfortable, sure, take proportional precautions...but, if you have not shined around recently there...play it safe.


Also, as USABro mentioned, if you DID have a brighter laser, just looking at the dot on a tree 15' away can be pretty damn bright, even in daylight...and a 3 w 445, etc, can leave you seeing spots even w/o any coherent bounce back.

:beer: