Pedaling Chinese Lasers

[Stiffler]

Kinda looking for advice here-

I own a small lighting & special effects business in metro Detroit, and with the economy being the way it is, business can be tough. To make matters 10X worse, there is this guy selling Chinese lasers to every club in town. If he was an X-Laser dealer selling lasers to all the clubs I wouldn't complain, but that's not what he is selling. This guy is selling cheapo, 400+ mw lasers to club owners without any warnings of the dangers and rules concerning laser use. It's not like he is oblivious, he has had lasers seized by customs (he brings in full containers). I can name 6 venues off the top of my head using his lasers, and that's just the venues that I have personally been to. What can I do about this guy? I am sick of losing business because I refuse to install the equipment that he is selling club owners. Maybe I am being a hater, but I'm trying to be successful without resorting such practices.

Here is a pic of the most recent club using his junk:

[Bradfo69]

It's been mentioned on here a number of times before since this is a recurring problem around the US but, reporting him to the CDRH is about the only thing you can do. Then you have the problem of them being overworked and understaffed. Each region is supposed to have a contact person and, if I have a chance, I'll look for it but, I'm sure someone may chime in with a name and phone number. Educating the club owners is another step. If you take the time to make them aware, and they realize the fines that are involved, they may voluntarily remove them. I don't suspect a place that looks that nice in your photo wants to risk a hefty fine. That also helps you appear more professional. You may also want to give them a demonstration of what a quality laser show/pojector can do to enhance their club.

[Stiffler]

Thanks Brad.

I would love to show them a quality laser show, but the way the place is built it would be hard to get beams 10' over peoples heads.

Kinda off top (hijacking my own thread), is it legal to crowd scan with the little pyro/firefly lasers?

[Bradfo69]

"Legal...."

Here's the deal. They don't require a variance so, the projectors themselves are legal. American DJ, Chauvet, Blisslights, etc. Otherwise, Guitar Center, IDJNOW, Sam Ash and a bazillion other places wouldn't be able to sell them. However, the instructions on the box and in the manual basically say, don't point them at people. That's to cover their ass.

Guess what... every person that has ever owned one has at one time or another had it on an audience. The spread is just too big not to hit somebody. And yes, I still may aim mine at the dance floor as well. Sometimes I'll do it in combination with beams overhead to still let people feel "immersed" with still being reasonably safe. I don't crowd scan the public with RGB projectors - ever. (Me, my staff, other lasernuts - yes. Public -no.)

As far as the 3 meter rule, keep in mind that that is an ideal. You can still get approved for a variance if they're below that level as long as you can demonstrate what safeguards you are doing "in lieu" of it. Not EVERY situation where a laser may be used has a 3 1/2 meter ceiling.

[dsli_jon]

...What can I do about this guy?

First, kudos to you for 'fighting to do it right' / non-'hack'..

a) I'd suggest getting in touch with the customs-port where his stuff is likely coming-in.. if he / his Co. is already on the 'radar', they can issue a 'DWPE' (Detain w/o Physical Examination..) against the 'ChOEM', and also, issue him warnings / fines, etc.. You can read more about it, here: http://www.laserpointersafety.com/ne...343f9a-233.php

..Basically, the 'goal' is, get him / the Co. he's buying-from on the FDA's 'Red List', http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia...alert_254.html ...that might, at least, 'slow 'im down'..

b) Make a direct-call to the Chief of the Branch, Robert J. Doyle: robertj DOT doyle AT fda DOT hhs DOT gov ; 301-796-5863 ..He is someone that can directly-engage the enforcement-div. against the guy.. IF you call him / leave a vm, he will call you back - I've always found him to be very-responsive... But take note that his 'schedule', is like 4am - 2pm, EST.. I've always found it best to call him like at 4:30 am (!).. later in the am / early pm, almost-impossible to get him on the phone..

..and, c) DON'T GIVE UP! It may take awhile, but, you *can* get this guy turned into a 'blinking red light' on the CDRH's screen... 'The squeeky-wheel gets the grease'.. Too-bad you can't simply go the 'education-route', but.. if the guy insists on being a tool, well... 'hit 'im back with one'..

..Point-being, just like all 'superhero movies teach us' - No - you canNOT 'stop all the bad-guys', etc, but.. Ya gotta at least TRY.. and isn't it worth it if ya can get rid of even *some*? ie: Look what 'progress' has been made with the plane-targeting pointertards - we're seeing people get nearly *3 years* in Fed. prison - screwing their reputation for-life, at the very-least - and/or huge-fines... Sure, those actually prosecuted is a tiny-drop in the bucket of incidents, but... that's one idiot-drop less of a chance of someone who could actually cause an accident, gleaning us all a 'moratorium', etc, and then, just *maybe*, the next dope will see that news.. and 'think twice' / NOT do it..

.02
j