Questions on 5mW Green

[Alex]

I'm sittin here with my cheap 5mW greenie and it probably dosent have a IR filter

How safe or unsafe is it to use it indoors, i mean that if i shine it away from me at a wall will i still be vulnerable to IR damage

Thanks for any help (still new to lasers)

 

[rocketparrotlet]

5mW should be safe for general use anywhere. The IR is probably not significant enough to cause damage. However, if you are concerned, you can fill up a balloon until it is almost ready to burst, draw a black spot on it with a Sharpie, and shine the laser at the black spot from about a foot away. If the balloon doesn't pop after about 5 seconds, you should be safe.

-Mark

 

[Switch]

You can fill a glass with coke, shine your laser through it and check with a camera where the laser should be exiting.If you see anything, that's IR.

 

[diachi]

You can fill a glass with coke, shine your laser through it and check with a camera where the laser should be exiting.If you see anything, that's IR.

you can use Vimto too ... and i think you can use red wine .

-Adam

 

[Liberty1992]

5mW should be safe for general use anywhere. The IR is probably not significant enough to cause damage. However, if you are concerned, you can fill up a balloon until it is almost ready to burst, draw a black spot on it with a Sharpie, and shine the laser at the black spot from about a foot away. If the balloon doesn't pop after about 5 seconds, you should be safe.

-Mark

hold on a sec, even a 5mW can pop a balloon because of the IR? thats ridiculous

 

[Alex]

Thanks guys,

I'll probably get some IR glasses soon just to be on the safe side

 

[RA_pierce]

[quote author=rocketparrotlet link=1225652913/0#1 date=1225656282]5mW should be safe for general use anywhere.  The IR is probably not significant enough to cause damage.  However, if you are concerned, you can fill up a balloon until it is almost ready to burst, draw a black spot on it with a Sharpie, and shine the laser at the black spot from about a foot away.  If the balloon doesn't pop after about 5 seconds, you should be safe.

-Mark

hold on a sec, even a 5mW can pop a balloon because of the IR? thats ridiculous[/quote]

Not likely.

The IR would have to be in excess of 30mW AND focused well. A 5mW (with a true 5mW output) will not likely output that much IR spill. And if it does it wont be collimated well...
5mW of green alone can pop a balloon if focused. It may take a while but it's possible.
You dont need IR goggles for a 5mW green. That's ridiculous.
If you're really that concerned about the insignificant IR spill, install a filter.
Problem solved.

 

[Liberty1992]

how long would it take for a 5mW to pop a balloon? I'm guessing a long while

 

[rocketparrotlet]

how long would it take for a 5mW to pop a balloon? I'm guessing a long while

Yes, IF it were a 5mW, you would have to not only hold the dot in one place for a long time, but focus it with optics as well. My point was that if it was outputting a significant amount larger than 5mW, enough to pop a balloon without optics, then there would be cause for concern.

-Mark

 

[Liberty1992]

[quote author=Liberty1992 link=1225652913/0#7 date=1225763919]how long would it take for a 5mW to pop a balloon? I'm guessing a long while

Yes, IF it were a 5mW, you would have to not only hold the dot in one place for a long time, but focus it with optics as well. My point was that if it was outputting a significant amount larger than 5mW, enough to pop a balloon without optics, then there would be cause for concern.

-Mark[/quote]
ah ok, i get it now