Eagle Glasses 190-540: very bright @ 532nm

[mewrox99]

Rebooted my laser hobby, so have a quick question about eye protection.

I've been playing around generally burning stuff (lighting matches, engraving my desk etc) with an overspec 100mW green, wearing Eagle Laser eye protection (OD4 100-540). The dot still has that 'intensity' to it, and even through the glasses, is quite straining, like the bright diffuse reflections.

I'm pretty sure Eagle is quite reputable brand, so I'd expect it to meet its rating. Is this a benign and expected consequence of 532nm being near the ceiling of its spectra, or far less likely, a manafacturing flaw with the dye. 1W @ 445 has virtually no itensity through those glasses. I currently d

In short, can I be confident that my eyes are protected. I know I'm probably fretting about nothing, but better save than sorrry!

 

[Teej]

OD 4 is not a HIGH level of protection though....its marginal.

IE: If worried, frankly, I'd get at least OD 5 - 7 range specs for the wavelengths you use.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Welcome back mewrox99! :beer:

I'd definitely only wear something I'm confident and comfortable with, but if those OD 4 Eagle Pair glasses are doing their job, an OD 4 rated lens in the proper wavelength should be plenty for a 100mW 532nm laser, IMO.
An OD 4 rating should make that 100mW beam seem as if it's .01mW. Even if it's overspec by 2X, you should be safe.

You are correct, Eagle Pair is a reputable brand of affordable safety glasses/goggles.

 

[Encap]

Rebooted my laser hobby, so have a quick question about eye protection.
The dot still has that 'intensity' to it, and even through the glasses, is quite straining, like the bright diffuse reflections.
In short, can I be confident that my eyes are protected. I know I'm probably fretting about nothing, but better save than sorrry!

If you are concerned because of amount of time spent doing burning as ocular damage from exposure is a cumulative damage effect over time. Survival Lasers does now offer, on sale at moment, an OD5 Eagle Pair. see: Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-1700nm OD5 Laser Safety Goggles

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

At the end of the day you can only be sure of goggles that are actually certified. That said Eagle Pair is a known brand, and seems to be pretty consistent, and accurate in terms of protection. I've used their goggles for a long time, tested 3 pairs, own two... and actually prefer them over the much more expensive certified ones.

Even OD3 is enough to actually be safe with an overspec 100mW laser. Diffuse reflections are also nowhere near as dangerous... You would do more harm to yourself if you were to stare at a lightbulb, and MUCH MORE if you were to stare at the sun.

My personal experience with green lasers has been that they do seem brighter through goggles, when compared to the appearance of 405 445 and 620-660nm lasers though. This is probably just because we are so much more sensitive to green.

Just stick to the general policy that goggles are your last line of protection - use your laser as if you do not have them on at all, watch for reflections, and you should be fine.

 

[Robert S]

I can clearly see the green dot, of my 532nm hulk ultra @350mW through my OD5 eagle pair goggles as well, if i point it at something really close, like under 50cm away.

And i was confused that this is possible, but there were already a few other people who experienced the same, so i guess its normal because of our sensitivity to green.

I can actually even still see the green color of trees and other stuff if im outside, using the goggles them as sunglasses. I also guess that our eyes will allways try to adapt to these colors so the small amount of green you see will even get stronger the longer you wear the goggles.