[Paul Hatchman]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

I'm assuming that we use the US FDA classification available here

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/script...cfm?fr=1040.10

If we are limited to Class I and II the pointer simply can't do what we or other users need.

So, what do we do now??

No. We use the AS/NZS 2211.1:2004 standard. An introduction can be found here http://www.griffith.edu.au/ots/Contr..._20feb2006.pdf

But a summary for those with short attention spans:

Lasers are classed by the amount of damage they can do to the eye/skin rather than their rated power. Class 1 and 2 are generally limited to 1mW for a highly collimated beam, but can be higher for extended sources.

Old class 3A (1997 standard), now class 3R (2004 standard) can be up to 5mW as long as they meet various other criteria.

Anything above a class 3A/R was probably already restricted by existing legislation, regardless of the new rules.

But I'd wait a bit until we see the actual legislation, rather than reacting to a newspaper report. The government has consulted with amateur astronomy groups and have said they would take our needs into account. But I'm guessing you are going to need a really good reason to posses anything over 5mW (or class 3R), because as far as I understand they are already covered by existing legislation.

Cheers.