Laser Pointers

[aaronsadler]

Who uses them and are they better than normal finder scopes.

[[1ponders]]

This thread is a continuation from the end of this thread. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=3974&page=2&pp=20

[RB]

Aaron,

I use one on my 80ED.
It came with a finder bracket and I sourced out an old base to match the 80ED.

I use it all the time and I can't even remember the last time I used to Original finder that came with the Orion.... :shrug:

Here's a pic.
I used the trees in the back to show some scale but when its shooting into space it looks awesome and very accurate and easy to use.

Hope this helps.

RB

[aaronsadler]

Did u buy yours from bintel or elsewhere, how much was it?

[[1ponders]]

Very much a Light Saber shot RB. :)

[aaronsadler]

:scared3:

:fight:

[RB]

Yeah Paul, that tree that you see there, was full of leaves when I started this 30 Sec exposure. Now look at it. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Aaron: I bought mine a while ago now from Advanced Telescope Supplies. I don't know if he still stocks them. http://www.atscope.com.au/index.html

It's a 20mW version with the finder bracket and from memory it was approx $340 I think? :shrug:

RB

[janoskiss]

I don't like the principle. Given the range of these things, imagine the mess it would make of the night sky if everyone with a scope in their backyard was using one. And think of all those ruined astrophotos.

[RB]

Not really Steve,

If you are not standing in the close visinity you vurtually can't see it.
You really need to be under it, in line and looking up at it to see the bright line.
Anyone standing affar off will not really notice much.
My neighbours can not see it at all.

And it's not as if you leave it on for long anyway. Basically you just point, line up and switch off and observe.


RB

[Miaplacidus]

I got a 5 mW one off ebay a while back for under $100. Great, as long as the moon is not about (I still use a RDF then; and I plan to get a more powerful laser when I can afford it). Good fun to boot. Naturally you've got to be careful if anyone is imaging, but there are a helluva lot of sessions when that isn't the case.

Despite reading about a lot of concerns and potential objections, I haven't found that anyone minds. In fact, I attach mine to my ETX, and the dobbers are grateful to use it to find those hard to get at DSOs. Also, I find that the beam is nearly invisible once you've stepped a few metres away from it. I don't think the neighbours would ever see it, and if you really don't like it all you have to do is move your scope a few feet away from whoever is using it.

I'd be interested to hear others experiences...

[davidpretorius]

photon and acropolite have just bought them for just over $100 from memory.

I saw then in use last new moon and i was very impressed. Well worth the money. Turn em on to line up and then flick it off and view thru the scope.

I would recommend it.

Bintel and Andrews

[RB]

I agree and I'd stop using it if I was at a star party and anyone was to complain.
I would't want to disturb anyone elses viewing, for sure.

:thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

but not the beat box with metallica blaring out of it, you wouldn't turn that down or off would you????????

[RB]

No, no way, and I'd turn my high beams on just to find the switch on the laser.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[gaa_ian]

The "Leadlight" brand are the only ones to buy, as far as I can see, there are others that are copies of these & are not very effective.
We use one often on our club LX-90 as a finder for the difficult DSO's

[RapidEye]

I've got one of the 5mW Leadlight ones and love it!!!
Its makes a great tool for showing people where things are and is a super finder, especially when you are working up near "Dob's Hole" (azimuth for you RA-Dec guys).

RocketBoy is correct with how they are observed and used:

You only turn it on long enough to line up 5-10 secs max
The further away you are, the less obvious it is. Someone 100ft away wouldn't ever notice.
I looked to get a bracket for mine, but I found that on my 10", I can just lay it on the OTA, up snug against the focuser, and its within half a degree or so: well within the range of my low power EP's. For my 4.5", I can do the same thing, but against the base of the finder scope mount. Doing that saved me $20-$30 for a mounting bracket and actually works out better in that I can use it as a pointer for other folks more easily.

Two things you have to be careful with:

Aircraft - Just open your eyes and ears and make sure none are around before you turn it on. Takes all of 5 seconds and will save you a trip to the poke.
Ground objects - When that 5mW beam hits a tree, building, bush, etc even a thousand yards away, it puts up a BRIGHT green spot. If that was next to someone that was observing, it would easily wreck their night vision. If you hit them in the eye, obviously it would be worse, but with a 5mW version, their blink reflex will kick in before any permenant damage will occur.:scared2:
I think they are a great tool, and like any other tool, in the wrong hands they can be very dangerous. But if used properly, they can make observing/teaching much easier and more enjoyable. :thumbsup:

[acropolite]

Photon (Ian) made a bracket with a piece of PVC pipe and some nylon screws for alignment. Perhaps he could post a pic...:camera:

[Striker]

I got mine from Mark Hodson's last star party....Graeme {Saturn20%} had some from 5MW to 15MW

Mine is 15MW and cost me $140

[janoskiss]

15mW green laser: now that would really pack a punch! Probably instant blindness if the beam enters the eye. I'd love to have one! :D

[robin]

Ok....so is 5mW good for all round use or should you for one with more green grunt?

[square_peg114GT]

I think the 5 mW is fine as an observing tool, star pointer or finder. It's also cheaper and safer than the 15mW laser. The 15mW sure would be fun to play with though!

[JohnH]

Agreee with all the good comments, much easlier to use than the shocker of a finder on the ETX90. Bought mine via eBay, 10mW for 25 UK pounds (you might get one for less). See:

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZcleverlasersQQhtZ-1

[RapidEye]

5 mW is PLENTY enough for what we use it for.
Just make sure it truely is a 5mW unit: many of them are lower due to variances in the manufacturing process.

[mch62]

.Graeme (Saturn%25) gets in the good Leal light brands 5mw (only ones to get), and I tune them using a multi meter up to about the maximum available with out doing circuit modifications to about 15-18mw's.
Easy enough job , you just have to be real careful of the potentiometer or you have a buggered Laser.
After that some minor mods are required.
We have done a side by side test against a very expensive Wicked Laser so called 25mw unit and except for a slight difference in beam thickness ( more than likely manufacturing tolerance of the focusing lens) no one was able to tell the difference.
The 25mw unit was a Lead light and by rights should have had a modified circuit board and for over $300 you would want better .
So just don't assume that because it says it's 25mw that it is.
Although at 15mw you don't need any more than that.
At 15mw's there quite visible on a still clear full moon night.
You do have to be very care full even with the 5mw units as permanent blindness will result and a test done at several klm at ground level was able to fully illuminate my vehicle cabin with a green glow to the point of being able to read at night.
So defiantly make sure that the star is not moving with flashing lights.
Always ask before using them at star parties .
We use them all the time and find them very useful for pointing out objects .
You just have to be responsible which I think most Astronomers are by nature.

p.s. don't drop them as they have a crystal at the frount that is very fragile and non replaceable ecconomicaly.

[JohnH]

I mentioned the web supplier only because they are cheap - mine cost the equivalent of $60 odd not $300 and arrived in two days. From local suppliers they are >$100 for 5mW. I was not advocating more powerful models only pointing out a cost effective source, I am certainly a happy customer.

[atalas]

Robin the orion 5mw ones are good and worth the extra for the user friendly capability It has over the cheaper ones.

Louie

[Roger Davis]

Green lasers are great. But stand by for the new legislation about green lasers and what class they are going to allow the public to have and use. A type IIIA, which most are, you may find that they will have to be locked up as secure as firearms. I can't put my fingers on the URL for this, but I will post it later.
Brackets are easy to buy, I believe that once the laser is mounted on your scope, it no longer comes under the legislation.

[Roger Davis]

For those in Victoria you should be aware of the following. Here are the links for the Control of Weapons Act (1990) and the Control of Weapons Regulations (2000) . You'll find the reference to laser pointers in the Regulations, Schedule 2, Item No. 33.

Act
http://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubLawToday.nsf/a12f6f60fbd56800ca256de500201e54/76dc7cbe3982194eca256e7700231800/$FILE/90-24a032.pdf

Regulations
http://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubLawToday.nsf/b12e276826f7c27fca256de50022686b/d385e4efe92cfaa6ca256ec300027eee/$FILE/00-130sr003.pdf

[OneOfOne]

I found out only two weeks ago, if you live in Victoria, you actually should have a licence to possess a restricted weapon. If I actually had one, I would need to fill out a form and send a cheque to the government so I could use it for three years. Interesting that the form says, effectively, do you want a:

gun, knuckle duster, flick knife, shot gun or a laser pointer? You also need to get your ID witnessed (passport, drivers licence, gas bill etc.)

Once I get the licence, I must buy one. I believe they make alignment of my Goto much easier. Just have to be careful not to cut people in half like on Star Wars, maybe I should get a gun while I am at it?

[Roger Davis]

Well, I once built a helium-argon laser and had a bit of fun with it for a while. Then I built a simple laser that cost an arm and a leg to make (nowadays you can get one for as little as $3 for a 1mW red laser pointer [by the way even a 1Mw will suffice for a finder]).
The act also specifically mentions a "cat of nine tails" with each of the whips being knotted. This is supposed to be in the same category! Apparantly, if you read further, the lawful excuse for having a controlled weapon is:
(b) participation in any lawful sport, recreation or entertainment.
Therefore: It can be used in any lawful sport, recreation or entertainment as long as it is carried and used in a safe and secure manner constant with the lawful excuse for which it is possessed or is carried or is to be used. So if a sex shop sells a whip, known as a "Cat of Nine Tails" they would also be breaking the law, but then I presume since it would be used in a sport or recreational activity it would be exempt !!!!! :-) :-)