18 replies to this topic

[PyroSkitz]

Be carefeful with any cheap laser. If it's a 2nd hand ex-lab laser or similar then fine. But a lot of cheap high-powered lasers from China aren't safe. They produce a lot of infrared which isn't focused or filtered, so if you look along the beam and close to it or are using mirrors you can get a lot of IR in your eyes which isn't good for them, get enough and you'll start to microwave the nerve endings. Nerves don't like being microwaved...

For example, a 50mW might be a 1watt IR diode with a crystal stepdown to convert some of the IR to visible light - but a lot of the unconverted IR gets through.

I get mine built in Canada and shipped over, I pay a lot more than £20 but I know it's been tested for IR leakage (and a lot more).

Editted to add, got assorted lasers (red and green) upto 460mW. Had to stop playing so much since a visit from the old bill for pointing one a a block of flats 5 miles away and scaring some pensioners, and these days with kids pointing them at planes the police helicopters get upset at people playing lightsabers in their back garden. Still like to annoy the neighbours cats though!

good point about the infra-red radiation, but dont worry as i posted before im not pointing it at mirrors, just on big open fields and into the clouds (without planes around), for £20 its just something i play with to distract my self from coursework for 10 minutes , i would love a 460mW one haha, i bet that wasnt cheap though, i dont know if any one knows but my friend wants to know apparently if you put high powered batteries inside the laser and then put it in the freezer you can get 500mW from a 200mW for 10 minutes ? just an idea if anyone knew anything about it

[Pete B]

I have a 150mw Laserworld Laser. I used it in my show recently, a video of which is in the shows section. I'm going to sell it though as it's only a DMX laser and for the smoothest movement and custom pattern creation you really need and ILDA laser, which usually have upwards of 20k scanning.

I think anyone attempting to build or convert one is simply mad. They are VERY dangerous, as much as pyrotechnics I would say, because the damage they can cause can be unnoticeable at first and also most people will not have the professional instruments available to measure outputs levels and radiation etc. Always buy a professionally built laser is my advice and get clued up on how to use it. Audience scanning for example has it's hazards with just about any laser.

Edited by Pete B, 16 April 2010 - 02:45 AM.

[BrightStar]

They are VERY dangerous, as much as pyrotechnics I would say, because the damage they can cause can be unnoticeable at first and also most people will not have the professional instruments available to measure outputs levels and radiation etc.

Agreed. I had to take a mandatory laser safety course at uni and despite the best safety measures, researchers still suffered injuries to their sight, usually only discovered at the compulsory regular eye examinations. One injured staff member had been advised never to work with lasers again (bit of a bummer if that's your job...).

I personally find it alarming that you can buy solid state Class 3b or even Class 4 hazard lasers so cheaply these days. I wonder if the kids playing 'light sabres' with their green pointers have any idea...

I think anyone attempting to build or convert one is simply mad.

Can't fault you there

[dr thrust]

seen this video and thought of you brightstar laser cats