Spec me a laser pointer

ZeroG · 31 Jan 2016 at 22:15

They should be under strict licensed control and you shouldn't even be able to get one without a good reason. There's far too many incidents reported of them being pointed towards landing aircraft at airports and kids playing about with them.

FluffySheep · 31 Jan 2016 at 22:33

I'm also a physics teacher, and I've used a 'Kensington Wireless 2.4 GHz USB Presenter and Red Laser Pointer - Compatible with PowerPoint and KeyNote' laser pointer to good success. I used it to get wavelength using diffraction gratings easily. An elastic band and a small eraser held the power button down while it was in a clamp and stand.

Advantage was the beam is reasonably powerful, but it's pulsed so the average power over 1s is nice and low. Gave near perfect results with my year 12s, of course it was under supervision and risk assessments were all in place.

FluffySheep

craig_t · 31 Jan 2016 at 23:07

[Damien];29121422 said:
I used to have one of their 1-200mw green ones years ago that I loved (safely!) playing with. I got one of the 2w+ ones (calibration cert put mine at 2.5w) and it's barely seen use. It's legitimately too dangerous to use.

With my old green one you only had to be careful of bounceback from a mirror or other reflective surface; this thing will blind you with the reflection off of pretty much any surface you can imagine.

In hindsight it was a bit of a dumb purchase...

I see what you're saying, but I guess it is probably like you the novetly would ware off. I have seen many of the green lasers that people have, but this thing looks so much more than them?

TheVoice · 31 Jan 2016 at 23:59

d_brennen said:
There's an arse across the road from me who keeps pointing a green laser up and down the street at night, thinking no one can see him at the end of a 50ft green beam. Considered calling the police but can't be bothered with giving a statement when they'll probably not even confiscate it. If my little one was walking home in the dark and he pointed it at her... Someone else would need to call the plod

They won't do anything about it if you don't report it. :confused:

Someone in my area has one, I live in a high rise building and have had it shine through my living room window a few times but it's only for a split second so I've never seen where it's coming from.

Felon · 15 Feb 2016 at 09:58

I knew it wouldn't take long.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35575861

I expect all of these things will be banned pretty shortly...

Freakbro · 15 Feb 2016 at 10:16

Screeeech said:
I knew it wouldn't take long.

Sounds like it's not an unusual event

In 2014, there were 1,440 incidents in the UK, with 168 at Heathrow, according to the CAA.

*Moangroan* · 15 Feb 2016 at 10:18

As someone has mentioned there is no way for you to control the reflections which can be just as dangerous with something like 100mw.

Have you the relevant risk assessment in place for a 100mw laser ?

ebilcake · 15 Feb 2016 at 10:40

[Damien];29119854 said:
Get one of these

These should be illegal to own, why would anyone want something so dangerous?

I would't use one without eye protection or around anyone without eye protection, the risk of accidental or even partial reflections in the eyes should put any sane person off buying one of these.

neil_g · 15 Feb 2016 at 10:52

d_brennen said:
There's an arse across the road from me who keeps pointing a green laser up and down the street at night, thinking no one can see him at the end of a 50ft green beam. Considered calling the police but can't be bothered with giving a statement when they'll probably not even confiscate it. If my little one was walking home in the dark and he pointed it at her... Someone else would need to call the plod

So you won't report it knowing that someone (possibly a child) might get blinded, but if your child is in harms way you'll happily deck the guy.

Gotta love society and its double standards.. As long as it doesn't effect me..

:rolleyes:

Tefal · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:21

Out of curiosity wouldnt something like a blu ray or dvd burner laser blind people if it hwd no filters?

Im genuinly surprised some loon or terrorist hasnt just filled a big torch housing with IR or ultraviolet lasers and walked around a shoping center blind groups of people

Eddie182 · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:38

Freakbro said:
Sounds like it's not an unusual event

It isn't. I see a lot of reports from RAF and Army aircrew, and I'm civil aviation see even more.

The military categorise it as a 'hostile action' and of course our aircraft have the ability to (and do) mark precise coordinates of the point of origin and psd them to the civil police. So these numpties do sometimes get some consequences.

It's just unfortunate than civil aircraft can provide enough detail to locate them. And often the police can't do anything but give warning due to lack of evidence.

As for the OP, not sure if you can still get them easily in the UK but visible wavelength laser sights intended for firearms and even air weapons are generally of reasonable power, well focussed, and well made. The commercially available ones were usually short exposure eye safe as well. Although it has been many years since I paid attention.

bobbyspangles · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:17

Tefal said:
Out of curiosity wouldnt something like a blu ray or dvd burner laser blind people if it hwd no filters?

I'm sure I saw a guide on the internet how to make a laser pen from a DVD drive. It was powerful enough to light matches and pop balloons. So destroying retinas should be easy.

aardvark · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:53

Tefal said:
Out of curiosity wouldnt something like a blu ray or dvd burner laser blind people if it hwd no filters?

Im genuinly surprised some loon or terrorist hasnt just filled a big torch housing with IR or ultraviolet lasers and walked around a shoping center blind groups of people

yeah they are pretty powerful so you could theoretically do that, but easy to shield yourself from it if you know its happening.