IR Laser for NVG for airsoft use - how can I make it safer

[Roki]

Hey Guys and Girls

In a few weeks I'm going to be playing an airsoft game where I will be using NVG's and I need an IR laser to use to help aim my weapon.

However I am finding it very difficult to find any eye safe IR sights etc for a decent price and available outside of the states. Whilst there are options tailored for airsoft its rare that the maker will state the class of laser. For example one common so called air soft IR laser was found to be 10mw.

Its only a game and I don't want to damage any ones eyes by mistake so I was hoping there might be a way to reduce the power with an IR filter to a safer level.

For example I am looking at getting something along the lines of this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vect...553657607.html

What sort of filters could I apply to bring down the perceive power of the laser in the region of 1mw but still be visible at 30-50 Meters on the NVG I'm thinking some sort of Filter just covering the outside of the laser.

Any suggestions of what I can use or links would be super helpful.

Also if you have any suggestions of an affordable sight that is eye safe - even if its not IR (I understand an IR pass filter can be used) please feel free to share.

Cheers

 

[Benm]

Laser safety for IR lasers is a bit tricky: As the light is not visible it does not trigger the blink reflex, so there is no 'class 2' for such lasers. This restricts safe power levels to class 1(M).

Practially that limits output power to under 1 mW, i'm not sure how well that shows up on your night vision equipment.

A potential way to get around that would be to actually use visible lasers at low power, such as the ones used in dvd reading. These can run at very low power levels so there is no visible beam to give away your position, but could provide enough light to make something visible using light amplification night vision gear.

The link you provided got merkeled so doesn't work for me.

 

[Roki]

Thanks Benm

Thats been what I have been wanting to hear.

If the link isn't working head over to https://www.aliexpress.com and search for:

Vector Optics Viperwolf Green Laser / IR Laser Combo (SCGL-04)

and

UV/IR 650nm pass filter, 650nm IR cut filter

I note though the IR Laser I'm looking at is 850nm so I assume I'd either have to just apply both filters to the green laser to cut it down (or other wise buy a green laser).

To be honest I would prefer to have a low powered red laser sight but so far everything I find is around 5mW or well above it. I am also weary of most of the very cheap chinese lasers as I've heard they are often even unlabeled or do not match the power output specified