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FrozenGate by Avery

Goggles needed for Red laser?

A

Arby

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May 7, 2008
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Hi all!

I'm pretty new to the Laser scene - I got my first "pocket" laser on holiday like 10 years ago, typical <5mW thing with different ends that made pretty patterns.. Anyway I always liked Lasers so I recently took the plunge and picked up a 300mW red one. I don't know a HUGE deal about them, just bits and bobs I've read on Wikipedia and some commercial Laser sites, but I'm under the impression that Red lasers don't emit IR, and are generally less powerful than Green ones.

So what I'm basically asking is, do I need safety goggles for just a red laser (300mW), assuming I don't let it reflect off anything reflective; i.e. just shining it at fairly "matte" surfaces? I've heard that goggles for the red spectrum block out most of the light, so I guess that would make it difficult to see the beam, especially as it's harder to see the beam on a Red than a green anyway?

I've been looking at the Red set on oemlasersystems (I've seen advertised a lot around here), which look nice, I considered the broad-band spectrum ones too but I don't know if I'm going to get into the Laser hobby that much so I don't know if that would be a good investment. So, just wondering if I need a set really.

Thanks!
 





You should ALWAYS have safety goggles for anything stronger than 100mW IMHO. Just because red isn't as bright (My 220mW red is about as bright as a 50mW green) as green, doesn't make it any less powerful. You DEFINITELY need safety glasses for a 300mW red, regardless of what king of surface you point the laser at.
If you want beam visibility, buy a Nova X-50 or X-75, you'll easily be able to see the beam in a semi-lit room, and you can still pop balloons and light matches (with the X-75) without safety glasses, if your into that stuff. Just don't look into the aperture ;)

And your correct about light being blocked out by the glasses, but that's why you have a red for burning and a green for show/visibility.
 
Ah, Ok thanks. Well the laser just arrived earlier, and I tested it on some carpet from a way off, just briefly. It doesn't look that powerful; you can't see the beam (as the seller said), and the dot looks small, like a pen-laser. I hope I haven't been ripped off, haha.
Has anyone had any experiance with this guy:
feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=shane.dominic ?
He seems to have a fairly good reputation. Damn that I don't have a laser meter.. Those things are rediculously expensive though.
 
Also, I've just noticed looking at the broadband-spectrum glasses on oemlasersystems, they don't cover 660nm,which mine is (supposedly). It only goes up to 655. Will these be ok for a red laser? I see that the ones specifically for Red lasers cover the 660 range.
 
Arby said:
Also, I've just noticed looking at the broadband-spectrum glasses on oemlasersystems, they don't cover 660nm,which mine is (supposedly). It only goes up to 655. Will these be ok for a red laser? I see that the ones specifically for Red lasers cover the 660 range.
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should be ok theres always like a +/-10% on the goggles anyway.

send them to a member with a laser meter and they'll tell you once and for all.
 
Well, I haven't bought them yet. I'd rather know for sure before laying down the cash :D
 
Arby said:
Well, I haven't bought them yet. I'd rather know for sure before laying down the cash :D
Click to expand...

Good point... try WL goggles or nova lasers :)
 
Would WickedLasers ones be ok? I hear on this board that that brand isn't very good.
I like the ones on oemlasersystems, it's just a shame that the broadband ones don't very well cover the ranges that the individual colour ones from the same site, do :(.

Oh, also, Nova don't have any to guard against Red. Just blue and green :(
 
Yes the WL goggles are the only good thing they sell (ask around if you dotn believe me)

I have the red sport elite with an OD of 2 at 630-650 with OD 5 at UV

Id go for the normal ones as they have an OD of apparently 3 and are cheaper :)
 
I'm guessing I'd have to get another pair if I ever wanted a green laser too though, right?
 
SMIDSY said:
Yes the WL goggles are the only good thing they sell (ask around if you dotn believe me)
Click to expand...

Correct, their goggles are the only good product they have. (because WL doesn't make them, another company does) ;D
 
Ah cool. So you reckon WL goggles for the high-power reds, and.. For greens, maybe something from another place? As I see the WL ones don't block IR.
 
WL goggles for both red and green high powered lasers have been recommended since I found this forum and many members here use them. (me included)
WL doesn't sell IR blocking goggles, I suggest you contact FrothyChimp for high quality goggles.
 
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