Hi everyone I'm new here. I did a quick search and didn't see anything on laser tag, but if I missed something or am in the wrong place please let me know
I'm trying to develop a custom laser tag for me and my friends. Currently the way I am making it is through an IR LED, IR Sensor, and an Arduino. Here are the links:
The problem is the range. With a 20 degree beam width, the LED doesn't work further than a couple feet, and it requires extreme accuracy. As a result, I am coming here to ask if lasers would be the answer. I was thinking of using a 5mW 940nm IR laser pointer with a lens to spread the beam slightly.
I read the stickied thread all about laser safety and how it requires glasses, but I don't understand. How do laser tag facilities operate without laser safety glasses? The one I've been to doesn't require any protective eyewear.
Would the fact that I am spreading the beam using a lens make it less dangerous to the eye?
Keep in mind we're a bunch of high schoolers so if I'm in over my head here, please let me know. None of them are stupid enough to stare into the laser for questionable amounts of time, but I'm worried about accidental eye damage while playing. It's not hard to accidentally hit someone's eye while shooting laser guns at each other haha.
Thanks!
I'm trying to develop a custom laser tag for me and my friends. Currently the way I am making it is through an IR LED, IR Sensor, and an Arduino. Here are the links:
IR (Infrared) Receiver Sensor
IR sensor tuned to 38KHz, perfect for receiving commands from a TV remote control. Runs at 3V to 5V so it's great for any microcontroller.To use, connect pin 3 (all the way to the right) ...
www.adafruit.com
Super-bright 5mm IR LED
Infrared LEDs are used for remote controls (they're the little LED in the part you point at your TV) and 'night-vision' cameras, and these little blue guys are high powered ones! ...
www.adafruit.com
The problem is the range. With a 20 degree beam width, the LED doesn't work further than a couple feet, and it requires extreme accuracy. As a result, I am coming here to ask if lasers would be the answer. I was thinking of using a 5mW 940nm IR laser pointer with a lens to spread the beam slightly.
I read the stickied thread all about laser safety and how it requires glasses, but I don't understand. How do laser tag facilities operate without laser safety glasses? The one I've been to doesn't require any protective eyewear.
Would the fact that I am spreading the beam using a lens make it less dangerous to the eye?
Keep in mind we're a bunch of high schoolers so if I'm in over my head here, please let me know. None of them are stupid enough to stare into the laser for questionable amounts of time, but I'm worried about accidental eye damage while playing. It's not hard to accidentally hit someone's eye while shooting laser guns at each other haha.
Thanks!