Page 5 of 6 FirstFirst 123456 LastLast
Results 41 to 50 of 51

Thread: Finally, a little sanity...

  1. #41
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    1,622

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by heroic View Post
    Yesterday, in my lab.

    "Hey honey, what's burning?"

    "Uh.... OH SHIT"

    Attachment 18174

    Class 4 is not a toy.
    Where did I say they are toys? I'm not trying to downplay the danger. I'm just asking if we collectively can avoid broadcasting concerns that have no grounding in reality. I didn't say that combustion isn't possible, it's instant combustion that isn't going to be an issue. If you leave your laser on and walk away and you return to a fire burning, I'd have to fault you for the fire since it was negligence that caused it.

    As I've said about 5 times so far, there is much danger inherent to class 4 lasers, especially portables, but we should focus on the dangers that are realistic, like catching a beam off of your wristwatch or a nearby windowpane. Beam/reflection to the eyes, that's where the real danger is here.

    I apologize, I'm not trying to piss anyone off but it seems like some folks have nearly gone off the deep end with some of this stuff. I admire those who are doing their best to educate people about the hazards involved with these new developments, but if we're to lead by example I feel that our data should be accurate. The problem is that some folks are stressing out way too much about this, leading to conclusions that have no basis in reality. Others are using this as an opportunity to spread their own feelings as "anti-portable laser" propaganda, latching on to any and every possible hazard, no matter how obscure or nearly impossible they might be.
    Last edited by ElektroFreak; 07-07-2010 at 12:34.

  2. #42
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    nerdtown, USA
    Posts
    1,165

    Default

    A laser pointer shaped like a light sabre isn't a toy? Sure looks like one to me. I mean, it's shaped in such a way as to *encourage* people to light it up and swing it around. I'd be fine with that if it were 5 mW or even 50 mW. But it's not, it's a full watt, and it'll burn things pretty easily.

    On the other hand, trying to stop the inexorably increased availability of high power laser diodes seems Cnutish. I think we're just going to have to get used to the fact that these lasers will continue to scale in power, and that their availability will continue to increase as the price drops.

  3. #43
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    1,408

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by heroic View Post
    I think we're just going to have to get used to the fact that these lasers will continue to scale in power, and that their availability will continue to increase as the price drops.

    WL have introuduced the Smart Switch ! which on the face of it , seems like a massive leap forward for high powered lasers ... also reduces the excuses as it must be actively turned to high power .... might not be a solution to high powered lasers in the hands of the masses but it IS likely to reduce accidents
    In the beginning there was none. Then came the light - #1 UKLEM - 2007
    BUY UK LEGAL LASER POINTER :: NEW - Blue 460nm Laser Pointers

  4. #44
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    1,622

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by heroic View Post

    On the other hand, trying to stop the inexorably increased availability of high power laser diodes seems Cnutish. I think we're just going to have to get used to the fact that these lasers will continue to scale in power, and that their availability will continue to increase as the price drops.

    The progress of technology is based on our desire to pack more power into smaller packages. It's the fuel that drives the technological world. It was only a matter of time until we reached this point. If not today, then tomorrow with absolute certainty.

  5. #45
    mixedgas's Avatar
    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
    Infinitus Excellentia Ion Laser Dominatus
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    A lab with some dripping water on the floor.
    Posts
    9,890

    Default

    Good news, a friend heard about this thread and is sending me a VHS of the full Durashine commercial. I hope to have it for SELEM!

    Steve
    Qui habet Christos, habet Vitam!
    I should have rented the space under my name for advertising.
    When I still could have...

  6. #46
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    678

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dnar View Post
    Surely not. Just any old pointer >5mW? After all, they banned anything over 5mW here in Australia for this reason right?
    Pointers over 1mW
    Now proudly stocking and offering the best deals on laser-wave

    www.lasershowparts.com
    http://stores.ebay.com.au/Lasershow-Parts

  7. #47
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    7,067

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by mixedgas View Post
    Good news, a friend heard about this thread and is sending me a VHS of the full Durashine commercial. I hope to have it for SELEM!

    Steve
    ...............

  8. #48
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Phoenix,Az
    Posts
    285

    Exclamation Regardless

    It won't matter what U.S. laws or state laws or even if U.S. based Mfgs try to protect the public from Idiots that would use these diodes for vandalizim or other Idiot type things, Americas greed will always win out and china will be the one selling to those Idiots the "death ray" at give away prices with high postage. Don't belive it? check out Ebay on diode lasers, "Burning lasers" being chinas selling point, Korea's as well. 300mw red $75, 100mw green $40., all plug and play. I live in Phx AZ witch has its own ARRA state wide laser regulations, Fed FDA CDHR requires 3m abouve tallest point possable by a audiunce member, Az requires 6m abouve the same. We as laser proffesionals will be the only ones affected by any mods to the laws on lasers of any kind, why, because we are proffesionals and we do care about public safety, All we can do is keep our end up, and try to edducate those who don't give a shit!
    BEAMANN (GODSLIGHT SHOWS)

  9. #49
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Rocklea Brisbane , QLD, Australia
    Posts
    274

    Default Knee jerk reaction starts in Australia

    http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/tech...708-101ee.html

    most concerning here is the statment

    "Australian Customs and Border Protection has said it has found a steep increase in the importing of lasers in the past year and that anyone caught importing one as powerful as this faces a maximum penalty of $110,000. The regulations were designed to prevent laser attacks on commercial aircraft."

    I will be contating customs on monday to clarify what is fact and what is media hype / misinformation.

    IT's my intention to source finished 445 diodes from members here once final design and testing has been done, or to purchase one of these to pull apart and use in a projector, seeing statements like this are most worrisome.

  10. #50
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Mesa, AZ
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    I wonder if there's a reward from the Australian nanny government for informing them about those on the LPF who import high powered lasers into that country? I wonder if it's possible to have them ban that web site as well as the lasers they promote and the members there sell?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •