What Age Is Ok To Own High Power Lasers

[Ekaj]

Wondering if anyone has an opinion about this.

Thanks.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

I'm saying 66 years old.....
HMike

 

[NightExplorer96]

I don't think it should be based on age, a lot of adults 30+ are too immature to own lasers, as has been proven in many aircraft incidents. On the other hand, a lot of 16 year-olds behave immaturely with 5mW, while others behave very cautiously and responsibly with a 5mW laser. Age won't/dosent magically make a person responsible!!

I personally think it all comes down to how mature a person is, if they understand how much damage lasers can cause, and/or accept the responsibilities if anyone does get harmed because of their improper use.

 

[ru124t]

Any age as long as safety precautions are taken and the person who owns the laser is responsible enough to handle it! As spidey always says with great power comes great responsibility!

 

[Ekaj]

Thanks for the help!

 

[jeffreythe00]

I know alot of adults who are not responsible enough to be left alone with any kind of laser. So in my opinion, you have the wrong idea. Its not about age, its about responsibility. If you can trust a 11 year old kid with a gun (target shooting). I would think you could teach them about lasers and how to use them responsibility. Maturity has a lot to do with it as well but to keep it simple and answer the question simply, "almost" any age. Proper precautions need to be taken and taught before you can begin to "supervise" children with a laser. I would most certainly not give anyone (including adults) a laser and leave them unsupervised without them first knowing that lasers are dangerous and can easily injure somebody if used carelessly.

 

[ryanr256]

Hell, I'm 53 and I bought a 3W 445nm from Rick Trent. I probably shouldn't have.



Seriously, I don't think age is an accurate indication of anything. If someone is aware enough of the dangers and has the respect for the equipment, age doesn't matter.

-Bob

 

[busman2]

It is not about age or even maturity. Some people just never seem to be aware of what is happening around them and are constantly messing up. These people should never have a car or a firearm not even a knife and fork at the dinner table unless its one of them plastic kids set! So a laser? Hmmm judge on how aware the person is of what happens around them. if they are switched on it will be easy to teach them safety/rules!

 

[DrSid]

Same as guns ..

 

[Ears and Eggs]

As others have said, it REALLY depends on the individual. Some "adults" I wouldn't trust with a screwdriver and some "children" are very responsible for their age. Probably anyone under 12 I'd recommend under adult supervision, at least at first, but apart from that really varies. I got my first high power laser when I was 17 and my first laser at 15. That was really more because high power were prohibitively expensive then though and less to do with my age. My family's reaction was more "why would want to spend $XXX on a green light", not a safety issue with me having lasers in the house.

 

[Ekaj]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, its vary helpfull!

 

[nazmazzer72]

All these comments are correct, however, due to the fact you are considered an adult at 18+, regardless of your maturity! you should be at least 18. Therefore the law understands you can make decisions for yourself and you are no body's responsibility.

I once came across a patient who had scorched their retains, a 20 year old who figured it was ok to point a high power laser in their eye. Despite being an adult who lives alone, they still don't have the maturity required to own a laser. It all comes down to judgment really...

 

[KRNAZNBOY]

I would say 30+

But then again, I wouldn't be qualified if the rule was 18 years old

But I am very responsible with my lasers.

:beer:
-Matt

 

[trencheel303]

I would say 30+

But then again, I wouldn't be qualified if the rule was 18 years old

But I am very responsible with my lasers.

:beer:
-Matt

So your whole post is basically contradictory and even excludes yourself.
...interesting

unless you mean by "high power" lasers in the order of tens of Watts? In which case I partially agree

As for the question, age alone doesn't come into it for me but maturity level does, and it just so happens that ever so coincidentally age and maturity level are almost always closely tied. Realistically someone under 16 shouldn't be playing with 1+ Watt 445s IMO. It is only IMO though and obviously these things can depend on the person, so there is no real answer.

 

[KRNAZNBOY]

So your whole post is basically contradictory and even excludes yourself.
...interesting

unless you mean by "high power" lasers in the order of tens of Watts? In which case I partially agree

As for the question, age alone doesn't come into it for me but maturity level does, and it just so happens that ever so coincidentally age and maturity level are almost always closely tied. Realistically someone under 16 shouldn't be playing with 1+ Watt 445s IMO. It is only IMO though and obviously these things can depend on the person, so there is no real answer.

I was saying as a general rule, I think 30 years old is a good age, but of course, that there are exceptions to that rule.

That is what I was trying to say

Again, it all depends on the individual but most 30+ year olds are pretty responsible.

:beer:
-Matt

 

[hwang21]

Don't get discouraged by young ages though, many of us are <18 :beer:

But seriously, it just depends on how careful you are. Treat the laser with respect and respect other people, and you probably won't have too many issues