- Joined
- Nov 4, 2014
- Messages
- 1,146
- Points
- 63
Being new to this hobby and now owning some very powerful lasers I'm realizing I feel very exposed when I use them outside at night. Of coarse I am being safe and not breaking laws. I don't shine it at anything other than tree tops or the sky and if I see or even hear an aircraft I shut it off immediately until it has cleared the airspace.
I've checked my local and federal laws and from what I understand I am not breaking any laws but I really don't like the feeling of drawing attention. I try to keep my laser use to late night and keep the beam over the dark quite neighborhoods rather than over the busier roads.
I have heard some people cheering and applauding a couple blocks away one night so I immediately shut the laser down. I don't like the idea of someone getting in their car and trying to pin point where the light is coming from. Maybe its the former Marine infantryman in me that doesn't like the feeling of drawing people right to me, the target. The other concern I have is the wrong type of people seeing my beam and getting on eBay and ordering themselves one and doing something stupid with it. Hurting a person or shining it at a plane.
I've thought about driving to more secluded places but that would possibly be worse. Anywhere I would go is probably also a place that young people cruise and drink beer, chill out smoke a bowl ext. In other words places cops patrol regularly. I usually have my camera and tripod out with me which makes me feel like I would at least have a good explanation as to what the hell I'm doing with a 2W laser but still I'd prefer to not have to even get that far with any authorities. At least at home I can turn it on for a few mins then go inside.
Does anyone else feel like this or am I just over thinking it.
I've checked my local and federal laws and from what I understand I am not breaking any laws but I really don't like the feeling of drawing attention. I try to keep my laser use to late night and keep the beam over the dark quite neighborhoods rather than over the busier roads.
I have heard some people cheering and applauding a couple blocks away one night so I immediately shut the laser down. I don't like the idea of someone getting in their car and trying to pin point where the light is coming from. Maybe its the former Marine infantryman in me that doesn't like the feeling of drawing people right to me, the target. The other concern I have is the wrong type of people seeing my beam and getting on eBay and ordering themselves one and doing something stupid with it. Hurting a person or shining it at a plane.
I've thought about driving to more secluded places but that would possibly be worse. Anywhere I would go is probably also a place that young people cruise and drink beer, chill out smoke a bowl ext. In other words places cops patrol regularly. I usually have my camera and tripod out with me which makes me feel like I would at least have a good explanation as to what the hell I'm doing with a 2W laser but still I'd prefer to not have to even get that far with any authorities. At least at home I can turn it on for a few mins then go inside.
Does anyone else feel like this or am I just over thinking it.