Comments on: Review: Infinity 125 mW Green Laser

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:29:20 +0000

To Steven and Walter, the "power restricter" is the IR filter, it's a bad idea to disable it.

By: green laser pointer

green laser pointer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:50:21 +0000

Thanks for the great review.

By: walter

walter — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:27:19 +0000

For steven,
could you email me with more info on the burning of the restrictor (i heard you could just remove it), and also, don't you need to adjust the pot that "feeds" power to the diode as well?
walter (email) juskorfus@thepub.co.za (south afrika email)
Thanks bru!
walter

By: steven

steven — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:45:35 +0000

im only 17 but i have done research. even though you can buy the 125 mw lasers for $289 you can make your $20 5mw a 100mw laser by burning the restrictor with a soldering iron for 2 seconds to diasable it so you only have to pay $20 just if you want one for a cheaper price

By: Cornflower

Cornflower — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:28:00 +0000

Around here, people (often kids) get arrested all the time for pointing lasers into the sky. We have an airport nearby, and pilots report laser flashes to the police, who come looking for you pronto. That would probably be the case with one of these as well.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:18:43 +0000

My question for danger or potential use would be how would it affect debris in space. Would a satellite, whether panels or sensors, be affected? I believe this is a very strong possibility as someone would want to point out satellites zooming across the sky.

For potential use, could a laser be used to artificially recharge solar based equipment. For instance, could Spirit or Opportunity be kept warm enough during winter months from fly-by's of say Mars Express if it had a laser with an appropriate power. Forgive me, if these are silly questions. Thanks for any answers.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:34:23 +0000

Hi, all,
I purchased on eBay, on two separate occasions, 5mW 532nm green LASER pointers for $20. each, shipping included. That seems to be the standard price now.

Beautiful beam for astronomy use! I'm sure the batteries would last longer than this one, too.

Cheers,
Bob

By: Tony Trenton

Tony Trenton — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:56:40 +0000

Very dangerous in the wrong hands

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:00:06 +0000

In the US (for most states), any laser >4.99 mW is a class IIIb laser and is required to be registered with the state nuclear regulatory commission. Even when registered, a waiver to use it in public is required for each usage.
Lasers 20 mW), I find that the trace is almost invisible for another person 50-100 feet away from the laser user. Lasers >120 mW might show a trace pointing skyward from a greater lateral distance. In any case, all lasers >5mW have an inherent danger both to ground persons and of course aviators and passengers. (All these mW measurements are considered maximum output values.)

By: lcason

lcason — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:25:27 +0000

I've been interested in one of these for a long time. It would be very handy when my friends start asking astronomy questions.

I won't, however, be spending that kind of money for one. I'd REALLY like to see a review of the lower powered green lasers that can be had for under $100.

By: Astrofiend

Astrofiend — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:12:28 +0000

Make that '… have been deliberately targeting…'

By: Astrofiend

Astrofiend — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:10:11 +0000

If you want 'em, get 'em while they're hot! As a number of people have already said, there have been a large number of incidents where people have deliberately targeting commercial and private planes and helicopters here in Australia. It is only a matter of time before hand held lasers are either banned outright, or restricted to VERY low power outputs, at least here in Oz.

Same old story – there's always a few morons that spoil things for everyone.

By: TODD CLAYTON

TODD CLAYTON — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:06:38 +0000

A good flashlight with an adjustable focus
works just as well, and the FAA will not show up on your door step the next day.
By the way, very inexpensive.

By: Max Vondel

Max Vondel — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:50:01 +0000

We have had a number of bad incidents in Australia as stated earlier by another reader. Do you really need 125mW?

By: Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:30:31 +0000

I hope I got this point across. It's an amazing tool for astronomy, but I'm well aware that it's dangerous.

By: john

john — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:55:50 +0000

my 5 mW laser pointer is more than adequate for astronomy.
I suspect that 125mW is more appropriate for research sites and teaching facilities.
It isn't a toy.
If you own one treat it like a power saw or a butcher's set of knives, dangerous but wonderful tools if properly used.
Take care please.

By: pro

pro — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:27:39 +0000

For astronomy 1-5mW (in 532nm wavelength) is more than enough.
If it lights matches, that means the most of the output power is in IR, invisible.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:19:22 +0000

I have one of these and it rocks… lights matches and pops balloons but for astronomy it is awesome.

By: www.actionforspace.com

www.actionforspace.com — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:26:49 +0000

$300 is a lot of money… I think that I will wait for the price to come down first

By: pro

pro — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:15:57 +0000

Well…. the problem is not gone actually the new one is created.
Here in Australia in most states anything handheld, green and above 1mW is considered as a "weapon".
This is a consequence of some individuals trying to point at aircrafts, blinding the pilots in the process…
So be careful….