Using lasers as a light source for outdoor activity

[SOG]

I am sure some of you have used laser and have used them indoor.... let's say the laser is not so powerful that it start to set fires in the room... Then I would say it's a pretty good light source, sometimes when I go to restroom, I am just lazy to turn on my light, I used my green laser to shot up into the ceiling to get the whole room light up... it's so much faster that way, and it's fun.

But then when it's outdoor, it won't work that way, I think you gonna need a trillion Mega Walt for it to reflect from our moon or cloud...

My question is, is there other way to do it, so we can get our laser to light up an area?

 

[Trevor]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Could use a concave lens to diffuse the beam.

Or are you looking for something even more flood-ey than that?

-Trevor

 

[SOG]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Could use a concave lens to diffuse the beam.

Or are you looking for something even more flood-ey than that?

-Trevor

Concave lens? You mean a Clone like Mirror?

Um... yeah, I think something more "floody" more diffuse... so it can be used as a light source, but I have no idea what lens or materials we can use so the light is scatter enough

 

[jeffd]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Maybe try diffusing the beam on a nearby tree or wall? or use somesort of lens. Your best bet would be to use a flash light though haha

 

[Trevor]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Concave lens? You mean a Clone like Mirror?

Um... yeah, I think something more "floody" more diffuse... so it can be used as a light source, but I have no idea what lens or materials we can use so the light is scatter enough

Concave lens:

-Trevor

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

You can also try defocusing the laser to give you a large spot light effect.

 

[jeffreythe00]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Honestly. If I am out on a walk or something and have a green laser with me. I will shine it onto my hand and my hand will reflect the light onto whatever area I am facing. Its not like a flashlight but if you need light in the middle of the woods because your flashlight died or its 6:00 am and you need to find the newspaper because the paper Guy threw it into bushes... then it works . Though its not real safe if your using a higher powered laser.

 

[zxcctu]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Good question. I thought about asking this as well but didn't want to ask until I got my laser and try to figure it out from there (uncertain how diffuse the existing lenses can "flood" the beam.) It would be nice to have this as an option versus having to always carry around a flashlight as well as a laser when, say, camping.

 

[qumefox]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

The only Issue I see is cost.. High power LED's tend to be considerably cheaper and easier to deal with than high power laser diodes.

 

[Dawinzi]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

Not long ago i lost my keys in a Forest. I will post a picture as soon i get home to show you what i made for more light from my 200mW greenie. Dont expect to much, looks crappy but it worked.

 

[Cyparagon]

You could use an array of 20 TECs to cook a pizza, too.

Sure it might work in a pinch, but for a long term solution there are better options. 3W of green LED would be as bright as a 200mW laser dot. Better yet, a cheap P7-based flashlight is 1/3 the price, has 7 times the flux, is less sensitive to harsh conditions, and has the added benefit of color rendition.

 

[SOG]

Re: using lasers as a light source to outdoor activity

You can also try defocusing the laser to give you a large spot light effect.

I tried, but defocusing still makes it too bright

 

[Legion93]

You can buy a torch or a flashlight...
If you are trying to emit lighting to a specific area or location I wouldn't agree to point a laser, but even if I did it would be under class 2 without goggles.

LED LENSER have on of the most extensive range of light divergence from a flashlight:
LED LENSER - High Performance Line - LED Flashlights by Zweibrüder Optoelectronics GmbH

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

Came across this video the other day, and I noticed this thread and it seems to fit in with the conversation.

 

[Schrecken_Licht]

I've used some of my lower-powered lasers in a pinch for light, as when the power fails, but I have always found that the laser speckle can make it hard to do things like try to read anything. I suppose you could make an interesting mood light if you bounced the beam off a white ceiling or something, but as noted not the cheapest colored light source.

 

[SOG]

Yeah, just wanted something to use as a light source when in emergency