Safety Goggle help for a new hobbyist

[KapHn8d]

I realize this is a sensitive topic because it has been discussed so many times. I've read through every relevant safety goggle post over the first 10 or 12 pages of search results and it was mostly the same themes over and over of people trying to get advice on either specific glasses (how I narrowed my search) or they were looking for where to buy safety glasses as cheap as possible. It seemed like the questions were from people that knew what they were asking, but I'm as new as it gets and completely ignorant, so please forgive my asking YET ANOTHER goggle question.

I currently own a 5mw 532nm pointer, a 5mw 405nm pointer, and a 5mw 650nm pointer. I realize that I probably don't need to freak out over safety with these assuming proper safety habits like carefully pointing away from eyes and such... but I believe that how you do anything is how you do everything and although I'm a complete beginner, establishing good safety practices now will lead to habits that will serve me well when I'm ready to grow into something a little more powerful in the future.

I sincerely appreciate your time in assisting me so I can get some glasses ordered ASAP.

The glasses I've narrowed down based on forum search and my limited understanding are these:

• OD7+ @ 190-532nm ARG from OEM Laser
• OD7+ @ 180-532nm LG3 from THOR Labs
• OD 6+ @ 190-580 nm Laser Safety Filter 235 from Laser Safety Industries
• OD4+ @ 190-540nm Eagle Pair from Survival Laser

My questions are:

1. Would any of these work well for my needs in the blue/violet and green wavelengths even at higher power?
2. Would I need to buy another pair of glasses for lasers in the yellow or red wavelengths?
3. Should I expect major problems with seeing even the "dot" on lower powered lasers if I go with these higher OD rating glasses?
4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage of polymer versus glass for safety lenses (assuming I'm not in a fabrication environment where projectiles are likely)?
5. I was curious about the other lens options that had a listed rating that stopped at 532nm... are those "safe" for green lasers since that is right at the edge of that range?
6. Some of these listed IR reduction as part of the spec... I'm assuming these are preferred for green lasers due to a possible IR component?

Thank you for your patience with my questions clearly displaying my ignorance. I have to admit that I was a little gunshy even posting this in fear of getting flamed for not using the search engine... but I spent quite a bit of time searching the archived posts and reading without getting a clear answer on my own, so thanks again... I'm here to learn and not be pain asking unnecessary questions.

Cheers!
Clayton

 

[Antharak]

Check out this thread.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f53/oem-laser-systems-protective-eyewear-38537.html

 

[KapHn8d]

Those look awesome for general use! Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction. I didn't see any reference to a custom option like the ones reviewed in that thread from 2008, but I'll call them tomorrow and look into it.

Excited!

 

[Sigurthr]

Keep in mind that depending on where you got your 532nm and 405nm lasers they may actually be much much more powerful than 5mW. Typically 5mW of 405nm is VERY dim and barely visible to most people in normal lighting conditions.

Yes you would need another pair for the higher wavelengths (yellow, red, NIR). Glass is not necessary for hobbyist purposes. If you look at the chart for OD vs Wavelength you'll see the ones that stop at 532 are just that the high rating of 7 stops there, it is still OD4+ at 550nm or so, which is plenty anyway. They are perfectly safe to use as there are no high power lasers you'll run in to between 533nm and 540nm (where all these lenses cut off). For high power DPSS lasers you always want visible and NIR protection if you are unsure that there might be any NIR leakage.

 

[Antharak]

Contact Frothy chimp , I believe he is still here, about the custom ones, but I'm sure the price has gone up.

 

[KapHn8d]

I just wanted to update the thread with some info I found out about the glasses Antharak recommended that are OD5+@190-400 OD1.5+@630-655 OD2.5+@532 OD3.7+@795-1070 OD4+810-1064 all in one pair. They are part number ML7 from OEM Laser Systems and run right at $149.60 (plus tax, shipping, etc). The OEM Laser Systems customer support was very helpful and fairly quick to response to my email queries. They said their website would be updated with the part number soon and those glasses would be online-orderable in any of the standard frame models once the web was updated. I plan on purchasing a set in style 35 once they have updated everything with their site. Since it's taking a while for them to add them to the site, I ordered the Eagle Pair 190-540nm & 800-2000nm from Survival Laser USA for now. I fully plan on adding the OEM Laser Systems ML7's when available.

I thought folks might want to know the proper part number for THESE lenses.

Cheers!
Clayton


UPDATE: ML7 orderable now at $166. CLICK HERE - Ordered!

 

[Bacon]

From what Iv'e read 2.5+OD for 1W is safe at minimum.
10^(-OD) * Laser mW = mW to eyes (THANKS Bionic-Badger! for all this info)

I went though your troubles recently about dropping the dough on something safe and quality. My trouble was I wanted protection from 520-532, 405, 445
The only problem with 532 is that its DPSS (Ir 808 and 1064nm) so I was so concerned abt the IR aspect. However I quickly realized that it was totally NOT worth the sacrifice of VLT (SAFE -- visible light transmission).

Ml7 has like 13%VLT
I just received my OEM arg (style 35) and it works for 405, 445, 532.. What I decided is that if I am going to worry about IR to the point where low VLT and expensive goggles come in to play. I might as well as invest in a cheap-ish IR filter for my DPSS laser and enjoy my clear vision. But broadband like ML7 could double as cool sun glasses!
MY pics OEM ARG:

I also have two tested Uvex and the od is roughly ~2.4-2.? and my laser peaks at 2W and my eyes hurt after use. These OEM OD7+ feel comfy cozy and I'm not scared to death anymore..

Thanks for getting the info for the ML7's dude
I plan on getting some in the future from these dealers with certified OD ratings

These might offer more than ML7!!
Multiwave YAG, Harmonics, Alexandrite Diode - Model #55 (also prescription)

Laser Safety Glasses | Laser Glasses | Laser Goggles (previews of them!)


---EDIT---
Thats why I didn't want the ML7; Because they do not adequately block the popular (and dangerous wavelengths like 405 and 445 very well) although the curve suggests 405 should have a decent OD. ML7 stops shot at 400nm and doesn't protect again until 532. so
The ones I linked are like $300 but should cover your goods from the monster 445's
I would buy in heartbeat if it went from 180-540nm though... I think the cheap chinese greens can jump past 532 sometimes before they stabilize.
I might be wrong but my cheap green get VERY VERY green and than stabilizes with goggles on. which suggests its over 532 for a few seconds.
Excuse me if I'm talking out my