Whats the deal with laser pointers now?

Jutscher (Sam) · #1 03-01-2011, 12:44 AM

Hey all,

I was fortunate enough to get some help the other day from another IIS member, to perform an accurate polar alignment. What I found of particular benefit was to have one person holding bino's on crux with a laser pointer while the other lined up the polar scope (EQ6) on the laser.

I dont actually own a laser myself, but after that night, I decided that I have to get one as it makes it so much easier.

I have had a bit of a browse on the net and am coming up short on where to actually by one in Perth these days.

I am aware that the laws have changed, however I thought they (lasers) were still available for legitimate purposes.

So... does anybody know where to get a reasonable laser now in Perth (around 10mw) without having a non descript black van park up in the street out front? Can it still be done?

Cheers

zipdrive (Dave) · #2 03-01-2011, 12:50 AM

I think we can get one from Sirius optics in QLD, but would like to know about the law side of things in Perth as well.

Jutscher (Sam) · #3 03-01-2011, 01:07 AM

yeah, last time I checked, they were out of stock on all LP's. Might change after Xmas holidays, unless it is a legislation thing.

danielrigano · #4 03-01-2011, 01:10 AM

What about buying the laser pointer at Amazon.com?

Jutscher (Sam) · #5 03-01-2011, 01:12 AM

Yep, that is definately an option, equally buying from singapore or the states. I just wanna make sure that customs wont confiscate it once it gets here.

marki · #6 03-01-2011, 02:06 AM

I did this a year or so ago out of curiosity as to how the new laws would work for the average person. Basically you need to start about 6 weeks before you intend to have the laser arrive. First you need to go to the customs website and download the application form to to import the laser and print it. This form has a list of other forms you will need to fill out. Go to the local cop shop and get the required form (cant remember off hand 64B????) fill that out and send it too the firearms people. They will get back to you when they can be bothered (they were not very up to date with the new laws at that stage). Once they have given you permission they will return the form stamped etc and you then need to send this along with the application to import to some commissioner dude in canberra. They will eventually get back to at their leisure and you then have to sort the customs people out (e.g. permission numbers etc). Once you have done this its time to press the buy button. If you attempt to import without doing all this crap I imagine you will never see the laser. PS don't try to get one over 5mw as they wont play.

Mark

Jutscher (Sam) · #7 03-01-2011, 02:44 AM

Thanks Mark, good to know, seems like a heap of effort for such a simple little device. But that is A typical beurocracy.

Davros (Lauren) · #8 03-01-2011, 06:22 AM

Or just but one of ebay for $10 thats around 3mw and dont point it at planes and you shouldnt have a problem. If you are sensible and using it for astro purposes then you wont have a problem. We are not a total police state yet.

mozzie (Peter) · #9 03-01-2011, 06:48 AM

star optics have them for sale!!!!!! there a great tool to use for astronomy but there always idiots that spoil things.lasers were on the news the other night one was pointed at a plane for several minutes while landing in newcastle.theres some real intelligent people around

.im in my dome when using mine and id have something to say to the police if they ever turned up at my place...

Stu Ward · #10 03-01-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davros

Or just but one of ebay for $10 thats around 3mw and dont point it at planes and you shouldnt have a problem. If you are sensible and using it for astro purposes then you wont have a problem. We are not a total police state yet.

I tried that and it was confiscated by Customs, only thing i received was a rather nasty letter saying do it again and you are in trouble sonny !!!

TrevorW · #11 03-01-2011, 09:43 AM

Try

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

he's in SA

Since 9/11 the rights of the average honest man have been eroded to curtail the activities of those who are not, police state maybe not yet

Jutscher (Sam) · #12 03-01-2011, 12:51 PM

Further to Marks comment... Telescopes @ astronomy.com said that a permit etc is only nescessary for >1mW lasers

"If a membership to an Astronomical Society is undertaken, then purchase of a Green Laser Pointer over 1mW is allowed. It is best to confirm information with your local Astronomical society first.

High Powered Green Laser Pointers can be purchased for any worthwhile use, including Mining, Building, Display etc. Federal Laws require the owner to apply for a permit from their states FireArms Dept. The Permit is a B709B and can be downloaded as a PDF File from many State Police web sites."

Might just call them and ask.

Stu Ward · #13 03-01-2011, 05:28 PM

So have I got this right. Less than 1 mw will get through customs just fine ? How good though would a 1 mw be in reasonably dark skies ?

Jutscher (Sam) · #14 03-01-2011, 08:00 PM

Less than 1mW would be useless I would think. SO you basically would have to get police clearance first.

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #15 03-01-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jutscher

Further to Marks comment... Telescopes @ astronomy.com said that a permit etc is only nescessary for >1mW lasers

"If a membership to an Astronomical Society is undertaken, then purchase of a Green Laser Pointer over 1mW is allowed. It is best to confirm information with your local Astronomical society first.

High Powered Green Laser Pointers can be purchased for any worthwhile use, including Mining, Building, Display etc. Federal Laws require the owner to apply for a permit from their states FireArms Dept. The Permit is a B709B and can be downloaded as a PDF File from many State Police web sites."

Might just call them and ask.

I would check this, from memory that only applies to NSW or Vic people.

I know a group that imported some green lasers for their own use (astronomical use) last year and they had to jump through all the hoops Marki described. We got them ok, but there was a lot of paperwork involved. That was for a direct import. I'm not sure what might happen if you're just buying interstate.

I should add that I haven't heard of anyone buying laser collimators having any problems, just laser pointers.

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #16 03-01-2011, 08:46 PM

Here is the official NSW police document, via a link from Astronomical Society of NSW
Geoff

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #17 03-01-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Ward

I tried that and it was confiscated by Customs, only thing i received was a rather nasty letter saying do it again and you are in trouble sonny !!!

Tell them to read the NSW law--see my post above.

Davros (Lauren) · #18 03-01-2011, 09:30 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Stylish-5...item230ceb8b1e

This is what i got through fleabay. Maybe Qld customs are more level headed than down south. I didnt have any problems. Oh and it does the job.

Stu Ward · #19 03-01-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghsmith45

Tell them to read the NSW law--see my post above.

I'm not currently a paid member of an Astronomical society, but if i read that right, if i were i would not need a permit ?

Jutscher (Sam) · #20 03-01-2011, 10:09 PM

Here is the link to the Fed's Customs PDF on LP's
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/re...erPointers.pdf
Pretty much backs up Marks comment, however it only applies to imports.
So dunno how you would go getting one from Telescopes @ astronomy.com, they are australian, so it may not be a problem.

Again, I think I might just call them and find out. Will post here when I know.