the nutter has a laser and has a visit from his flying friends  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2011, 10:57:27 pm
content: he's got his hands on a DPSS laser

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2011, 08:31:37 pm
content: Lol, I would love it if the motor turning the mirrors failed and he got zapped.If what he says is true that the bad pixels on his good camera were caused by reflections, it's just as likely he's burned parts of his retina and he's stupid for worrying about ruining his camera than his eyes.Forget the helicopter, what if there were innocent bystanders staring at the weird green light shining out of his holey curtains? What a twat? If he kills or seriously injures himself or another idiot participating in one of his experiments that's fair enough but putting members of the public at risk is inexcusable.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2011, 04:04:12 am
content: Yeah, I've often looked at how cool those cheap 200mW green lasers are and thought "I should buy one before they're banned" -- but then I think again and realise that even a moment's inattention of a tiny mistake could leave me (or someone else) blinded for life.Having all ready had one of my eyes stuff due to a vitreous detachment, I'm not about to take any risks with the good eye I'm afraid.

author: tsmz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2011, 10:53:31 pm
content: I think the problem is that most people don't realize how dangerous lasers are. Add to that it's actually not quite easy to find a really low-powered "absolutely safe" laser these days, because everyone is so keen to have high-output lasers. Even handheld, high-output lasers are surprisingly cheap these days, making it possible for all kinds of idiots to play with them.Even eye protection will not help enough for high-powered lasers. The only safe way to play with them is to know what you're doing: Have a flat table at comfortable height with the components fixed to it so the beam will be horizontal, do calibration with the laser's low-power mode, etc. Yeah, that won't allow for cool cigarette lighting or other stupid effects, but will at least conserve the vision.As for retinal damage, you don't tend to notice it until it's too late. The brain can compensate for damaged spots on the retina quite easily and readily (you have one rather big one from the start, where the optical nerve enters the eyeball), so even while a damaged retina is not immediately noticable, it will degrade your vision.That said, the guy in the videos clearly is an absolute idiot.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2011, 11:39:17 pm
content: Quote from: tsmz on June 24, 2011, 10:53:31 pmna, he just acts like one for the videos.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2011, 09:15:43 am
content: Quote from: tsmz on June 24, 2011, 10:53:31 pmI agree, it can create blind spots which the person isn't even aware of.I hope he doesn't drive. Apart from the fact people like him shouldn't be allowed on the roads in the first place, he might not see a child crossing the road because they were in one of his new blind spots.Quote from: Psi on June 24, 2011, 11:39:17 pmI disagree, anyone who plays with a laser which burns holes in their curtains allowing innocent bystanders to be potentially exposed to blinding radiation is an idiot.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2011, 11:02:36 am
content: I liked a lot of this guys videos, however I think a step towards lasers especially high powered ones like he's using is a step too far. I've got quite a few lasers myself ranging from <1mW modules up to around 400mW burning lasers, which really do set things on fire. The problem is.. a lot of folk think that these things are just toys, and once out of the packet they're waved around like a torch, There's no consideration or prior warning about the reflected beams, yet they continue to wave the thing around watching the dot whilst the light bounces off of everything in all sorts of directions.Not long ago my brother came to our house with one of these Chinese made things. At first I thought it was just the usual <1mW model thing, but Noooo. On the side it had a nice little sticker saying <200mW. Not only that, but the thing had a nice little twist-able lens on the end that changed the beam pattern from a spot, to all sorts of variable 'flies eye' type prism effects which would shoot beams out all over the place.The DPSS laser PhotonicInduction is using in his video could really blind someone, Instantly!