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What can you do with lasers in Australia?

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Bruno28

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Jun 24, 2012
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I like lasers and I am currently building my one.
But are we limited to only enjoying them indoors at home? The laws are so strick that I don't want to get caught or lose any of my lasers.

So where can we use these outside without having to join an astronomy club for a license?
I know the rules of never pointing at anyone, or any animal and specially not at aircrafts.
But i want to enjoy seeing the endless beam in a dark clear night.

Can I point to locations like oceans? Or rock formations where there are no one present?

What do you do with your lasers in australia?
Thanks.
 





All anyone can suggest is that you follow the Laws, Rules, and Regulations in Australia that apply to your situation.

see: Laser Pointers - NSW Police Online

What you choose to do that is not within the laws, rules, and regualtions is up to you.
 
I have seen it before. So only way to use outside is joining an astronomical organisation....
The backyard is not categorised as public? as long as i don't point it upwards?
 
in your backyard u can do whatever the hell uwant, its when u shine them in a way that u draw attention u should start worry, or people or animals but i think u dont do that so u should be safe, just use them with caution and nothing will happen.
 
Yeah backyard is about it and not up ,I usually sneak out around midnight ,so I can actually have some fun .Pretty sad state of affairs in australia .At melbourne international airport going through immigration, on the wall it has three items not to bring back into australia. A 🔫gun 🔫,a taser and a picture of an ebay pen like its a deadly weapon in same class as the 🔫gun and a taser ,rather sad
 
I'm not sure what exactly is legal and what isn't, but as long as you're not using it in public areas with many people around I think you're fine. Also, keep in mind that it's way harder to see a 445nm as a distance than it is for a 532nm at the same power.
 
I would also add that since you live in a major city like me, I would be very cautious about using it even in your back yard. Accidentally get it in your neighbours window, or have any reflections that escape outside the boundry of your backyard, it only takes one spoilsport to call the police.

Sadly people have spoiled what can be a rewarding hobby by being stupid with lasers and pointing them at vehicles, especially planes and helicopters.

This wasnt so bad when pointers maxxed out at 5mw, but now you can easily build a 1W + beast of a pointer, it is not hard for idiots to get their hands on them and endanger the lives of others.
 
I've been using indoors only. But i am limited to the beam distance of my room that's why I wanted to use outdoors. Might have to find a deserted place to try at night.
It's very silly how in australia a laser is the same category of prohibited as a gun. Makes no sense. But when I did archery that was completely legal, while much more dangerous than a laser.

So are we owning a illegal item? Or is it just illegal if used inapropriatly or in public?
 
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A battery operated portable hand held laser is a prohibited weapon if the power output is over 1mW.

You would probably also get busted if you take a lab laser module (mains powered, so not a battery operated hand portable) outside on an extension cord and point it into the sky, your neighbors window or up the street that too would be irresponsible use and you may find the police on your doorstep if someone reports you/they see you.

Common sense with any laser should be exercised in this country. The police would take a dim view on anyone reported/seen using them irresponsibly. I'm sure no matter what your reason for pointing it at the sky, they would assume you were targeting aircraft (unless you're out bush with an astronomy group with a relatively low powered handheld (say under 20mW)

My lasers never go outdoors as I live under a flight path (in fact I just heard a passenger jet fly over only a moment ago). Even my little red hene!
 
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I live in a rural area and also a member of an Astronomy club. I am fortunate that the area I live is quite remote and from time to time I do take mine outside to point it skyward to see the lovely beams reach out into the cosmos!:drool: However about 80km south of me there is a well used flight path and seeing as i can see Aircraft navigation lights flashing alone that path sometimes I always have a very good look around before pointing skywards. Take note it is only in the lower layer close to Earth that you can actually see the beam, just a couple of hundred meters or so upwards but the light actually just keeps going into space and lasers have been photographed from the ISS.
 
You're telling me the laser goes past the earth's Stratosphere????? :p
How far can a 2W blue a ser go?
 
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Well there has to be a point where light dims from the particles in air that it hits.
Like a flashlight.
 
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