Laser Pointers (which one?)

[Jen]

gday everyone i was just wondering if you awsome guys can point me in the right direction of where i can get one from and which laser pointer you guys recommend The ones on ebay sound dodgy to me Im confused
And which color and what does 1mW and 5mW mean etc.....
Ive been wanting one for ages to help my eight year old son when i can show him which object we are actually looking at through the scope

And yes i am aware of the Vic rules (sort of) but if i do the right thing with it i can have one right Im gonna put it under the xmas tree

[DavidU (Dave)]

1mw is one milliwatt.
Green pointers are not sold by many telescope shops. However there is quite a good 1mw green pointer from Jaycar
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...r&form=KEYWORD

Kids or anyone for that matter must NEVER look into the beam or shine them at aircraft.

[astro744]

None. Too much trouble with flightpaths and could be dangerous for a youngster.

Use a 6V Dolphin or similar torch or just start with a bright star and hop from there describing triangle patterns until you get to where the object of interest is.

[Jen]

ok so you guys here dont use them

No i wouldnt let my son use it as a toy

[erick (Eric)]

Jen, I'll PM you when I get a chance and tell you what I know. Eric

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

I like green lasers, much better when using the refractor than a red dot finder I find, but I can't say I've found one that's perfect. I've had three pass through my hands (one bought off ebay), and all have had the problem of waning brightness after a second or two of continuous use. Someone in the club bought one from in the US years ago, incorporating a red light, white light, and the green laser, and the laser was definitely over powered and unnecessarily bright and I wanted it the moment I saw it.

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Hi Jen,

Just a word of warning...

Here in Victoria you need to apply for a permit from the Chief Commisioner of Police, before you buy your laser.
Don't attempt to import your laser without a permit, customs will not let it through.

A $135 fee has to be paid with your application. You need the permit before you buy or import a laser.
If and when you get your permit, your laser has to be stored in a fixed locked cabinet when not in use, the same as a firearm.

Your application is for a permit to buy, own and use a prohibited weapon. Sounds ridiculous, but that's the way the Victorian government have legislated. I'm sure there are those who don't bother with the rules, but the penalties for non compliance are rather steep!

As i say, just a word of warning...

All because some idiots decided to shine them at planes, and helicopters, etc. etc. ...

Cheers
Chris

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

I have this one:
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....D=522&CatID=49
but I can't find anyone in Australia setting them now. Probably they reckon they are too much of a problem with the police.

Mine came from York Optical.

[Auster1b (Neil)]

Jen,

[Auster1b (Neil)]

Dunno what happened there, it just posted itself

Jen,
Have wondered the same thing myself.

From the Vic Police website
A hand-held battery-operated article commonly known as a "laser pointer" designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1mW. Is a prohibited weapon and needs a permit to purchase/own.

Whether a 1mW laser is anygood ?
There is a IIS post here that has some info towards the end.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...p/t-43994.html

Neil.

[keppar (Graham)]

I have a 10 mw green which works fine. I believe the law states that if you are a member of a registered astro club and do not use it in a public place your ok . 1 mw is not enough unless it is very dark sky

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Originally Posted by keppar

I have a 10 mw green which works fine. I believe the law states that if you are a member of a registered astro club and do not use it in a public place your ok . 1 mw is not enough unless it is very dark sky

Graham,

My understanding is that in Albury NSW, you are correct.
Head across the river to Wodonga Vic, and your laser becomes a prohibited weapon.

Cheers
Chris

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by keppar

I believe the law states that if you are a member of a registered astro club and do not use it in a public place your ok .

That sounds like a sensible and measured approach to the issue. Such a concept is alien to the Victorian government.

[Exfso (Peter)]

Here ya go Jen.

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....l-supplier.htm

Matthew Lovell has all sorts of laser stuff.

[Jen]

Thanks guys for the tips

Lots to think about now Do i or dont i get one grrrrrrr dosnt seem to be worth the hassle Permit for only 3 years ouch

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Jen just drive across the Murray when you use it

[Jen]

Originally Posted by keppar

I have a 10 mw green which works fine. I believe the law states that if you are a member of a registered astro club and do not use it in a public place your ok . 1 mw is not enough unless it is very dark sky

so being a member of IIS does that count

[Jen]

Originally Posted by Starkler

Jen just drive across the Murray when you use it

Geoff i didnt think of that lol two minutes and im in NSW

MMM now ya got me thinking

[ChrisM]

As far as I can recall, the Victorian regulations on prohibited weapons state that a laser is banned if its power is > 1 mW AND it is battery-powered AND it is hand-held.

Chris

[ChrisM]

The actual Victorian regulation states (in its long list of prohibited weapons):

33. "A hand-held battery-operated article commonly known as a "laser pointer" designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1 mW."

Chris