I just bought a green laser and then found out that USA has restictions...

[randomlugia]

thanks for the OD answer.

I have done it before just because the light is so pretty. jk. but seriusly I have shined a 5mw strait into my eye before. but I will never with this one! I will get goggles as I may want a bigger laser later on.

What about an IR filter do I need one of those too or are they built into the glasses?

An IR filter isn't necessary unless you're pointing the laser near your head, because the IR stays collimated with the green pretty well. If you're going to be messing with reflections, and you know the laser beam will likely hit your eyes, definitely get a filter.

 

[Addonex]

I am not sure about others, but I owned a OD+7 goggles, and even with that, I felt uncomfortable when staring at the blue dot on the wall at 50cm away

Then someone most likely lied to you about what OD those gogglers are

OD+7 would reduce 1W down to 0.01mW, a tiny fraction of what a regular red pointer puts out and those are not uncomfortable to look at in the slightest. What you described sounds like OD+2 at best which would reduce 1000mW down to 10mW.

 

[Jaxz]

Then someone most likely lied to you about what OD those gogglers are

OD+7 would reduce 1W down to 0.01mW, a tiny fraction of what a regular red pointer puts out and those are not uncomfortable to look at in the slightest. What you described sounds like OD+2 at best which would reduce 1000mW down to 10mW.

I hope I am not about to get lied. I paid US$150 for it + shipping and thereafter convert to Singapore dollars, it is not cheap. Here is the link to the shop:

100-10-130 fit-over prescription 532 nm, 1064 nm Doubled YAG Laser Safety Glasses


lmk if anyone has any comments on these goggles

 

[gaaunapoi]

so I don't need an IR filter just good glasses?

 

[Jaxz]

so I don't need an IR filter just good glasses?

I don't really agree with this one. though it is collimated, IR is invisible. I never ever buy one without a IR filter, accidents might just hapened, just to be on the safe side..

 

[gaaunapoi]

what is an IR filter?

 

[randomlugia]

I thought you knew that when you asked if you needed one. A green laser pointer basically outputs two kinds of light; visible green, and invisible IR. The IR slowly diverges from the green beam, and IR can go through goggles. All a filter does is eliminate the invisible light.

If you are in a situation in which there's a possibility you might get hit, DON'T USE THE LASER. You shouldn't even be using the laser indoors, unless (as stated before), you're doing something with photography or reflections. After all, what's the fun in using it as a pointer if you need to wear goggles? Get a 5mW for pointing around. And when you use the beam outdoors, you don't need goggles.

I don't really agree with this one. though it is collimated, IR is invisible. I never ever buy one without a IR filter, accidents might just hapened, just to be on the safe side..

I'm not sure if you understood what I was writing or not... what kind of accidents? You can't burn with 50mW, and I already said he would need a filter for playing around with mirrors/lenses.

 

[gaaunapoi]

ok I will be using very carefully outside.

 

[Jaxz]

I thought you knew that when you asked if you needed one. A green laser pointer basically outputs two kinds of light; visible green, and invisible IR. The IR slowly diverges from the green beam, and IR can go through goggles. All a filter does is eliminate the invisible light.

If you are in a situation in which there's a possibility you might get hit, DON'T USE THE LASER. You shouldn't even be using the laser indoors, unless (as stated before), you're doing something with photography or reflections. After all, what's the fun in using it as a pointer if you need to wear goggles? Get a 5mW for pointing around. And when you use the beam outdoors, you don't need goggles.




I'm not sure if you understood what I was writing or not... what kind of accidents? You can't burn with 50mW, and I already said he would need a filter for playing around with mirrors/lenses.

what I meant is if he play with it indoors, he has got to be extra careful. If he is not familiar with the how the beam reflects in his house, he might never know if the beam might reflect and hit his own eyes or somebody's eyes. Other than mirrors, tilted walls, lacquered surfaces, some metallic parts of his electronics or other things lying stray in his house can reflect. One split of a second and that's it.

 

[randomlugia]

ok I will be using very carefully outside.

You always should be careful with it, but you don't have to be as careful outside, that's when you can usually use it risk-free. Inside is when you have to be careful, as Jaxz and I were saying. But again I would suggest not using it inside at all, that's dangerous even for the pros.

 

[gaaunapoi]

I am not a pro I have only had some 5mw red lasers that people gave me and the batteries dies in like a minute. This one will be used outdoors and with caution.