Most powerful handheld laser?

[Gabe]

NONONONONO HAhahaha no no invisible lasers do just as much damage as visible lasers, although I see where your confusion could come from. In fact, invisible lasers are a lot MORE dangerous because you don't know where the beam is going, and you don't even know if you've been hit in the eye until it's too late, you can't really tell when you're getting flashed. If I were you I'd stick to visible.

 

[NoobHaq]

NONONONONO HAhahaha no no invisible lasers do just as much damage as visible lasers, although I see where your confusion could come from. In fact, invisible lasers are a lot MORE dangerous because you don't know where the beam is going, and you don't even know if you've been hit in the eye until it's too late, you can't really tell when you're getting flashed. If I were you I'd stick to visible.

I understand that if the laser were to accidentally hit me or someone else in the eye it would be VERY bad but pointing it at say white paper to watch it burn would also be bad? I don't really understand how that could harm my eyes since there wouldn't be any light to see? I just think the fact that burning stuff without seeing what's burning it is AWESOME!

I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, cheers :beer:

 

[Gabe]

I totally understand, haha. It's kinda tough to comprehend, but IR light is still light, we just can't see it. And if it can be focused onto paper and burn it, it can absolutely be focused onto your retina by the lens in your eye and burn that too. If you were able to see IR, you would see a very bright spot where you're pointing it at as with a visible laser. When ataring at a bright laser dot up close, the image of the dot gets focused onto your retina and can do damage. The exact same thing happens with IR lasers too, even though your rods and cones don't pick it up. So yeah, think of your retina like a piece of paper. Wether it be visible or not, any strong focused light source will burn it.

 

[NoobHaq]

I totally understand, haha. It's kinda tough to comprehend, but IR light is still light, we just can't see it. And if it can be focused onto paper and burn it, it can absolutely be focused onto your retina by the lens in your eye and burn that too. If you were able to see IR, you would see a very bright spot where you're pointing it at as with a visible laser. When ataring at a bright laser dot up close, the image of the dot gets focused onto your retina and can do damage. The exact same thing happens with IR lasers too, even though your rods and cones don't pick it up. So yeah, think of your retina like a piece of paper. Wether it be visible or not, any strong focused light source will burn it.

Ok so it definitely is not good to watch the burning point/dot even with IR lasers? It sounds so tempting though :yabbem:

Thanks again!

 

[Gabe]

Yeah, it would be cool but you'd end up with blind spots and smudginess in the centre of your vision :/
Remember though, you can still watch what happens through safety glasses!

 

[Laserbeamk]

If you want a laser that burns without seeing the beam you better be off with a co2 laser or a laser that uses gas. Check that section out.

 

[Gabe]

^ yerp ^
CO2 lasers can be some insanely powerful pieces of technology

 

[NoobHaq]

Yeah, it would be cool but you'd end up with blind spots and smudginess in the centre of your vision :/
Remember though, you can still watch what happens through safety glasses!

Ok thanks for clearing that up!

If you want a laser that burns without seeing the beam you better be off with a co2 laser or a laser that uses gas. Check that section out.

I like the device to be small and handheld so I don't think that would do well for me but thanks anyway!

^ yerp ^
CO2 lasers can be some insanely powerful pieces of technology

That sort of power scares me, I don't think I'd feel safe myself handling it!

Still looking searching for something that is just right for me and fortunately there are so many options. The search continues!

Cheers :beer:

 

[Gabe]

Hope I was of/can be of help! Yeah, seems like a 405nm 300mW-500mW parts kit from SL would be just perfect for you to start out with, in my opinion at least

 

[Pi R Squared]

Ok so it definitely is not good to watch the burning point/dot even with IR lasers? It sounds so tempting though :yabbem:

Thanks again!

What do you think is doing the burning? And only near IR will burn your retina, at somewhere about 1000nm and longer wave length it will damage your lens and cornea giving you more than just a dark spot in your vision.

Alan

 

[NoobHaq]

Hope I was of/can be of help! Yeah, seems like a 405nm 300mW-500mW parts kit from SL would be just perfect for you to start out with, in my opinion at least

Hey Gabe you have been a great help, I really appreciate it! I still want to look around more before buying because it is a lot of money to spend!

What do you think is doing the burning? And only near IR will burn your retina, at somewhere about 1000nm and longer wave length it will damage your lens and cornea giving you more than just a dark spot in your vision.

Alan

Thanks Alan, I will most likely stick away from IR lasers in that case.

It sucks how all the high powered lasers won't let you look at them without glasses, just means I can't show anyone unless I buy them glasses too!

Cheers guys!

 

[RedCowboy]

Hey Gabe you have been a great help, I really appreciate it! I still want to look around more before buying because it is a lot of money to spend!



Thanks Alan, I will most likely stick away from IR lasers in that case.

It sucks how all the high powered lasers won't let you look at them without glasses, just means I can't show anyone unless I buy them glasses too!

Cheers guys!

Do yourself a big favor and stay away from IR, even with safety glasses you can have a gap at the bridge of your nose that with visible light you will be aware of instantly, but IR could be doing serious damage and you would not know until it was too late. You need wrap around goggles certified for the wavelength of IR that you are using that will prevent any leakage.
The best thing to do is wear your safety glasses and record your burning experiments so you can watch them in full color afterwards. A cheap Walmart digital camera is all you need to record your burning, but always wear your safety glasses.

 

[Laser Chick]

Stay away from IR/UV lasers for now as the invisible beam is so dangerous as the other members have stated. Even highly experienced laser users get harmed from these lasers at times.
Think of it as a woodburning stove. You cannot see the heat coming off it even though it is hotter than the hubs of hell. It can still harm/burn you even though you cannot see the energy it is emitting.

 

[APEX1]

This whole newcomer's coming here and "wanting the most powerful laser thing" there is, is really freaking me out! :tsk:

 

[Sanfasteryler]

Well I will recommend jl 5W series as it is higher quality. And I am little curious about what you are going to burn like my 5W laser can even make (tiny) holes in iPhone displays.

 

[NoobHaq]

Do yourself a big favor and stay away from IR, even with safety glasses you can have a gap at the bridge of your nose that with visible light you will be aware of instantly, but IR could be doing serious damage and you would not know until it was too late. You need wrap around goggles certified for the wavelength of IR that you are using that will prevent any leakage.
The best thing to do is wear your safety glasses and record your burning experiments so you can watch them in full color afterwards. A cheap Walmart digital camera is all you need to record your burning, but always wear your safety glasses.

Ok, I will most likely be sticking away from IR lasers then. Now the only question is which wavelength laser should I get

Stay away from IR/UV lasers for now as the invisible beam is so dangerous as the other members have stated. Even highly experienced laser users get harmed from these lasers at times.
Think of it as a woodburning stove. You cannot see the heat coming off it even though it is hotter than the hubs of hell. It can still harm/burn you even though you cannot see the energy it is emitting.

Yep, I will take that advice and stick away from invisible lasers!

This whole newcomer's coming here and "wanting the most powerful laser thing" there is, is really freaking me out! :tsk:

I understand where you are coming from, these lasers are dangerous toys but I will make sure I use it the way it's meant to be used!

Well I will recommend jl 5W series as it is higher quality. And I am little curious about what you are going to burn like my 5W laser can even make (tiny) holes in iPhone displays.

I really like the look of the PL-E Pro and the features it has actually! It's still a really hard choice for me to make on which laser would best suit my needs.

At the end of the day, I am just looking for a really visible laser that has no problem burning and also boasts a cool host

Thanks guys :beer: