Laser pointer

[sally1jack]

What is the current status if green laser's ,are the 1mw any good? just to help a newbie to find targets.:help:

Thanks Phil

[toryglen-boy]

5mw will give you a slighty better beam, might be thicker and easier to see, although i would be interested to see how these things are rated anyway.

i have ordered a 40mw unit this morning.


:thumbsup:

[erick]

No one has rushed forward with a review of the 1mW green laser - positive or negative? I reckon 5mW is the minimum for effective use.

[Omaroo]

And how are you going to legally use that?

[toryglen-boy]

well, i asked this question before buying it. it was explained thus :-

"ordering and owning the unit isnt illegal, but using it illegally is, such as using a hammer as a weapon"

is that what you where asking Chris?


:shrug:

[sally1jack]

Thanks for that erick



I used a laser the other night(not sure what power ) & it helped alot,So where & how have you ordered this 40mw laser? approx cost ?, Is this a difficult thing to aquire ??
Thanks alot toryglen boy
Phil

[toryglen-boy]

ordered it from Star Optics in QLD, cost was around $170, although they have a 20mw which is slightly cheaper


:thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

So you understand the ACT's prohibited weapons act? Are you a member of an astronomy club?

[sally1jack]

Omaroo,
I hate to say it but "please explain :P" also did you sell those matching mirrors
Phil

[Omaroo]

Phil - hi there :)

Our club's laser policy: http://www.macastro.org.au/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=115 I could imaging that the ACT is similar in its rules.

No - the mirrors are still here. I'm on the verge of keeping them I think. No hurry to sell...

[toryglen-boy]

yes, and yes

dude, if you're an AFP officer then just come right out with it ...

[sally1jack]

Chris,
I am just about to recieve a sdm18"with a Mark Suchting mirror, so my Browny point are you no what , But if you sit on those for a year or so until i move back into the big bed i might just buy them off you. But if i was you i wouldnt sell them, So do you have a laser?
Cheers phil

[Omaroo]

There are new people that come on to this forum all the time, and I'm not keen to see any read a post like yours without knowing, and go and buy an illegal weapon that may see them in hot water. The fact that the store you bought yours from said what it did is bad enough - they otherwise condone ownership if you "don't - wink, wink - use it as a weapon". I can buy a hammer and don't need a license to own it. I can't do the same with a laser over 1mw.

[toryglen-boy]

then thats fine, and in truth, i agree with you mate, that said, maybe something like a sticky is in order, and not a thread that has questionable posts aimed at me, trying to make me look like a crim or an idiot

:)

[Omaroo]

Never even suggested it. You said that you were a member of a society - so that's all that matters... well.. that and the fact that your laser is, of course, registered with them.

We stopped bring in crims from the UK some centuries ago. ;)

[toryglen-boy]

LOL

fair enough mate, its all good

:P

[marki]

Bloody hell Duncan, what are you planning to do shoot down asteroids :).

Mark

[PCH]

Where do we bring them in from now Chris? Coz sh-t is still happening ;):lol:

[Lyinxz]

LOL! this was good, got me on the floor laughing :thumbsup::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Stuart78]

I have a 40mw green laser i bought it back in 2005 before the crackdown on them, it works fantastic for my astro needs and i also use it at work pointing out defects inside 20 storey high boilers , i ain't handing it in anytime soon, i think you will find it a great asset to your hobby Duncan..:)

[brightstar]

Duncan phoned yesterday and asked several questions about the legality of owning a Green Laser pointer. I pointed out to him that in QLD there are no license or permits required to own one. The devices are governed by the Firearm and Weapons Act and the only law is that it is illegal to use one illegally. This was a deliberate ploy by the authorities as was explained, the idiots that point them at aircraft etc are not very bright and when asked by police why they had one, the usual answer was to burst balloons, which the police could use as an illegal act. If you were to say that you were an astronomer, that is a completely legal activity. I believe NSW is going to copy this rule. Duncan was informed to contact his local authority to see what the requirements were. It is not illegal for a QLD store to sell them interstate but our advice has allways been for the buyer to check with their local authority.
Sirius Optics checks the bono fides of every customer as to the intended use of the lasers. Astronomers are not the only ones using them, Bird Watchers, Forestry workers, Teachers etc all use them. I would suggest that people posting to IIS forums engage their brains before their mouths and do some checking before they post to the forums.

[PCH]

Wow, - you're fresh out of 'charm school' aren't you

[toryglen-boy]

guys, this is all getting a bit heated ...

maybe someone should check with the mods, and create a sticky on this, to avoid this coming up again.


;)

[Paul Hatchman]

Perhaps you are not fully up to date with recent changes to the law in NSW?

There is fact sheet here: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/139894/fact_sheet_prohibited_weapons_laser _pointers.pdf

In NSW hand held laser device with a power output of more than 1mW is classified as a prohibited weapon. Members of an astronomy club approved by the Commissioner of Police are not required to obtain a prohibited weapons permit when using the laser pointer for "activities associated with astronomy".

It may well still be legal to sell them interstate, but my (laymans) understanding is that you can not sell a prohibited weapon to anyone who does not have either a prohibited weapon's permit or an exemption.

Cheers,

Paul.

The gory details are here: http://asnsw.com/info/WeaponsProhibitionAmendment(LaserPo inter)Regulation2008.pdf

[saturn c]

Theres nothing wrong with owning a laser if used legally!!! You're to paranoid chris !!! .the bloke didnt bring any harm what so ever to this forum , that s just a ludicrous comment.

[Omaroo]

I don't believe so. When we speak of items that are (rightly or wrongly) listed as prohibited "weapons" by the powers to be, I don't think we can be careful enough. In the US, laser offenders are subject to judgement by the Patriot Act - sounds pretty serious to me. I personally think that it should be the responsibility of sellers of 40mw lasers in this country to first sight proof that the buyer is legitimate, not just take their word for it.

I don't use one any more, so I couldn't care less quite frankly.

[Paul Hatchman]

I think we need to be very careful with this sort of comment. In NSW there is something wrong with even owning a laser pointer over 1mW, regardless of how it is used. (exceptions apply).

I don't think it is paranoia to make people on the forum aware of this. There has already been at least 1 charge laid for possession of a prohibited weapon when a laser pointer was found in a car by police. Admittedly other, real weapons were found in the car, but still it shows the NSW police are prepared to use this law when it suits them.

Cheers.

[sally1jack]

I originally posted this subject to see what was legal & if it was effective for helping a newbie to find targets, not a moral debate to see if we should own or not own illegal lasers.:shrug:
So can anyonne tell me are 1mw lasers strong enough?
Thanks Phil

[Omaroo]

Not really Phil. That's why they're legal. If you stand directly behind it on a warm night you'll see the beam. Move a couple of feet off to one side (like a spectator) and you can hardly see anything. The added disadvantage is that green laser diodes are very susceptible to the cold - they stop working. You need to keep it constantly warm, so keep it in your pocker close to your skin. The upshot is that if you own a 1mw laser and it's a cold night, use your finger to point!

[sally1jack]

Thanks Chris :thumbsup:

[xnomad]

I hope they don't use a 40mw when pointing a bird out to friends.... :eyepop:

[sally1jack]

KFC :rofl:

[Liz]

Hi Phil - I bought a 1 mw recently, and certainly wasnt strong enough for Astronomy needs so returned it.
Today I picked up my 10mw number and will christen it tomorrow night at our group viewing.
As have said in previous posts, I did buy one on eBay last year, and it is still sitting in Brisbane Custom!! I could get it, after a LOT of paperwork, but was only a cheapie anyway :)

[toryglen-boy]

well, i tried the 40mw last night, and while it was very bright, it certainly wasnt much different to good 20mw i have seen. i could see the beam from all angles, although the laser itself is very, very bright ... i feel like a Jedi every time i switch the damn thing on!! and while i didnt look at the beam, even staring at the reflection of it on a wall left my sight with 'purple blotch syndrome' for an hour or so.

As to wether i get rid of it or not for something less sci-fi ...

i did go around everyone in the house last night and gave them strict instructions never to touch it etc.

:)

[sally1jack]

Thanks Liz :thumbsup: