Safety of green lasers (5mW-30mW)

[SuperKid]

Hey all,

I was thinking about buying a 100-150mW Green Laser.. but after some searching i saw that its too dangerous.. hehe

after a little i was thinking more like 30mW.... or 5mW.... i want something not too dangerous...

i thinking about the 30mW TRUE (I want one that will can poop a ballon at least hehe) i dont live in US

Now.. i was thinking... if by mistake for 1-2 secs it "touches" an eye.... it can make dangerous damage?
what about the 5mw?

Now... what about skin... it burns after how much time?

i know... safety its the most important thing hehe...(But have a cool laser too )

Thanks all for reading (My first message that i post here... new in lasers world)

 

[dr-ebert]

Consider: if you stare directly at the noonday sun in a clear blue sky, about 2mW reach your eye.

The limit for "safe" lasers is 5mW. They're safe not because you can stare into them without danger, but because your blink reflex is quick enough (<0.25s) that you can shut your eyes (or turn your head) quickly enough before damage is done.

I'm not sure what the accepted limit for "burning ability" is (it depends on how well focused the beam is, among other things), but I think that's more around 100mW.

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

It takes around 7-10 seconds for my o-like 80-100mw pointer to sting my skin where I have to take my hand away. A quick flash will do nothing to your skin until much higher power levels. Just get the 100-150 one and get a deal somewhere on 532nm safety goggles. If you put an ir filter on it and wear the right goggles, you will not be in danger. at that point you just have to make sure it doesnt get pointed towards someone elses eyes. Higher power is a lot funner considering you have proper eye protection. Also, burning/popping depends some on divergence too. A 50mw with excellent divergence would be a better balloon popper than a 100mw with very crappy divergence.

 

[SuperKid]

what about the 30... what his safe level.. and how it burns? ( i want to use withought glasses)... and for using withought glasses.. more like playing.... what you think will be the best?

Thanks all for the answers

 

[rocketparrotlet]

A 30mW is often considered the limit if you don't have goggles. You can't sting skin until about 100mW, you MIGHT be able to pop a balloon at 30mW (if you're lucky), and you won't be able to light matches until about 80mW, I think.

30mW in your eye directly, though, has the potential to do harm.

-Mark

 

[SuperKid]

m... i still want something to use withought goggles.... so you recomend me only 5mW... what 10 or 20?
i sure want something to play withought goggles... but something strong..
what about red lasers.. i like the green ones... but i want strong one

 

[rocketparrotlet]

You need goggles for anything above 30mW. A red laser below that would look weak. A green laser below that would look (but not be) strong. I'd recommend 30mW if you think you can keep it out of people's and pet's eyes all the time, and 5mW if you're not so sure. NEVER shine in somebody's eyes on purpose, or those of an animal! (But you already know that.)

-Mark

 

[SuperKid]

Sure that i know hehe... i pretty scary... i will get 30 i think.. and use it safety..Thanks

 

[SuperKid]

sorry for double.. but a little question...

if you see the light only... it molest to the eyes? can make damage from only looking it?

 

[rocketparrotlet]

You wouldn't want to look at the dot for extended periods of time, especially up close. But 30mW shouldn't be too bad if you're keeping the dot 10 feet away from you.

-Mark

 

[laze_doctor]

What rocketparrotlet said. Just be careful you don't point it at anything reflective and you should be right.

EDIT: Wooo.. 100th post!

 

[randomlugia]

I think you can look at the dot up close, just don't stare. A flash of anything more powerful than a 5mW will cause damage.