Re: GB oemlasersystems goggles
Improvidus:
I'm quite sure you can get in on this GB as dethlore is still collecting payments. The ML7s will be fine for greens up to about 1.5W, and the IR wavelengths as well.
In some ways, I think you might be better served with those DBD goggles. I have the ML7s, and while they do protect me well for what I have, I would prefer a little more protection than what they provide just for ergonomic reasons. The spot is still visibly bright at 100mW and I fear it might get irritating to work with with higher powers like 200-300mW. That wouldn't be dangerous, but a noticeably bright dot can be fatiguing on the eyes for something like alignment. On the flip side, if you're showing someone your green laser, it helps that they can actually see the dot and be impressed--even while protected.
Those DBDs are also good for 445nm in addition to 532nm (the ML7 does not protect for that wavelength). That would save you having to get goggles for 445nm, which you'll probably want some time too. For myself, I would still prefer using my YLWs for 445nm because they have such great visibility (73% VLT I believe).
On the subject of VLT (the amount of other light you can see). One thing that has started bugging me is the low VLT of the ML7s. It's like having greenish-gray sunglasses on while using them, and it makes it hard to adjust things or work around those lasers unless I have a lamp on. Those DBD have about twice the VLT of the ML7 at 26%, which would be nice for working with.
Another thing to consider: the OD7+ of the DBD might be "too much" protection, making the dots hard to see at all. My experience using those cheapo red laser enhancement goggles was that they were almost "too good" in reducing the light of a 532nm to just a faint spot. I don't know what OD those would qualify as, but it's much higher than the ML7's OD 2.5+ at 532nm.
Finally, on the subject of getting goggles in general, if you're going to get goggles, you might consider getting a pair to cover red wavelengths (which is the final pair of goggles I need for my collection, and what I'm buying this time). The ML7s will protect up to 150mW of red laser light, which isn't much; the DBDs will not protect you at all. With new red laser diodes in the full watt range, having some decent red protection is a must. I've been forced to use my ML7, and turning down the power just to be safe--but even that looks bright, especially the 635nm lasers.
These group buys don't happen too often (mean time between is about 1-2 years), so it'd be good to have the protection now.
thus the requirement for ARG
aypal:
