Looks like the FDA is finally fed up with handheld lasers...

[Speedy78]

Every where else in nature idiots get eaten and fall of cliffs and our species? We embrace the idiot and it is slowly bringing down society lol

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Gets down to fact still no aircraft have been bought down by a idiot with a laser so its still not fact that a laser will cause a crash there is two pilots both get blinded enough to not be able to see, what are the odds ,I'm not even aware of a pilot just one being blinded for more than a few seconds brief flash blind ....bottom line is punish the idiot not the laser by heading down road of no hand held lasers and totally agree you can buy a rifle which has a massively higher chance of causing a plane crash than a laser especially if its low power

I agree. but too often they don't get caught

Please note: This laser cannot be shipped to the United States. If you live in the USA please consider the Galileo green laser, which has a similar click on/off switch, 100% duty cycle, and is Class IIIa compliant. If you require high power, then you may also consider the 532 nm laboratory laser, which provides similar output but is not portable.

Who the hell has the money for a lab laser?! why should we have to stoop to thousands of dollars when the same thing is made in a more versatile handheld for a fraction of the price because of a few morons?!

FDA Laser Regulations In the United States

In the USA, lasers are regulated by the FDA. According to the Code of Federal Regulations (21CFR1040.10), lasers which are portable and battery-operated or those which are intended for alignment applications are defined as "surveying, levelling, or alignment lasers(s)" (SLA lasers), regardless of their intended purpose, and these are restricted to FDA Class IIIa/IEC Class 3R or lower. The purpose of this restriction is public safety, because lasers above this Class may cause harm from momentary accidental exposure. Unfortunately, there is no license, certification, or qualification which would exempt any individual or company from this restriction.

If you live in the USA and require a portable laser or alignment laser, there are several options available to you.

You can choose a laser which is Class IIIa/Class 3R or lower.
This usually means that the laser will be restricted to 5 mW or less, except in the case of certain alignment lasers which produce lines, crosses, or other patterns. Check the product description to see which Class a particular laser falls under. If in doubt, we can help you to find a laser which is Class IIIa/3R, or lower, which may suit your needs.

You can choose a laser which is not an SLA laser.
If you require more power than Class IIIa/3R will allow, and you are not intending to use the laser for an alignment or pointing application, then you may select a laboratory/OEM laser source instead. These typically run on AC or DC current and are not designed to be easily portable or operated from batteries.

If none of these options are suitable for you, please contact us so we can discuss your application in greater detail in order to work out a solution.

If you have specific questions about the Code of Federal Regulations, you can also contact the FDA directly.

 

[Speedy78]

Maybe I'm missing the point but I have an outlet on the outside of my house where I could plug in a lab laser and lase aircraft if I so desired.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Maybe I'm missing the point but I have an outlet on the outside of my house where I could plug in a lab laser and lase aircraft if I so desired.

I know. I thought of this myself, granted it would limit you to an AC plug, but thats about it....I've run my HeNe before outside before...

 

[Shakenawake]

ultimatekaiser is right, here's what it says below the hercules:

Please note: This laser cannot be shipped to the United States. If you live in the USA you may consider the 532 nm laboratory laser, which provides similar output but is not portable. Click here for more information.

not portable eh? I have an Inverter in my car, ME 1, FDA 0

I may change my mind on the CNI GB depending on this situation, I still have the RPL en route, I'd be devestated If I lost both an RPL 500 532 and a 589 80mW. that's over $1500

BTW, I'm not saying I'm in favor of a ban, but EDUCATE PEOPLE, well now that's a tall order these days. the government doesn't educate about anything else, why start now?

 

[ultimatekaiser]

ultimatekaiser is right, here's what it says below the hercules:

Please note: This laser cannot be shipped to the United States. If you live in the USA you may consider the 532 nm laboratory laser, which provides similar output but is not portable. Click here for more information.

I may change my mind on the CNI GB depending on this situation, I still have the RPL en route, I'd be devestated If I lost both an RPL 500 532 and a 589 80mW. that's like $1500

Indeed. I'm greatly hoping I can see if I can get in contact with Justin and see what his input might be on this.

 

[Shakenawake]

No one will come to safe laser owner's defense when it comes down to it, or not enough people anyway. I'm guessing with a few pen strokes we could all be screwed. not many people know much about lasers, or care to. just scare the populace a little with some airplane attack stories, and most people will believe it's best to ban them.

The irony is not lost on me that stupid people are what the government wants, and stupid people give them reason to forcibly control stuff like this. educating is far too hard, what with how stupid they've encouraged us all to become

 

[ultimatekaiser]

I agree. It seems the end for hobby lasing @ over 5mW may be nigh folks.

I'm also under the impression that you can still import the handhelds if you have a legit reason for it, but as a whole they've stopped selling to the US and forcing people to buy lab modules instead...who the HELL can pay for a 589nm labby for a science experiment?! I'd rather pay $1300 than 4K for the same thing that's in a lab module!

 

[Shakenawake]

so what are some legit reasons we could claim? I do use mine to check how well my HEPA filter is working, and to check a room's air clarity (how free from particles it is) lasers are ideal for this. did you know most airborn contaminants can be found in the bottom foot (1') of a room's air?

have you ever seen a laser beam in a chain smoker's house vs one with a HEPA filter or other air filtration running?

side note, if any of you have allergies or just really want to breathe clean pure air at home, a HEPA filter running for a while will clear your air right up. after running my 12"X24" filter and (360 CFM at .8" static pressure blower motor) for a day, I could hardly see the beam of my 1500mW rifle in total darkness. that's some clean air, like I bet there are labs that are not this clean

 

[Speedy78]

The moment you have to justify your hobby to authorities is the moment it is over. Whats a legit reason to collect stamps? That's right there isn't one.

 

[Shakenawake]

agreed, though we may not have a choice if we want >5mW imported

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Actually shaken I have used my lasers that way. Quite interesting actually...and as I said, they don't seem to hate the power as much as they just they want to remove the portability factor so they are used only indoors.

 

[Things]

You guys are aware pointers over 5mW are already, and have been illegal in the US for quite some time? There's still nothing stopping you from building your own ...

 

[Speedy78]

Until they include parts easily configured into high power laser devices or something of that nature in the ban

 

[Things]

Which would be nearly impossible to implement

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Well....actually they are not illegal to own, only to use in public...and it varied with state to state... That's why you can still buy labbies. They don't want people carrying them around. This isn't striking me as a ban... Just an attempt at control. That's what the gov. always wants, control and power over anything they can get. And they use public safety as an excuse.