Laser Pointers (which one?) - Page 2

erick (Eric) · #21 24-11-2009, 11:06 PM

If they find you with it in a mount on the scope, they might still raise a concern. I reckon they read the regulation as "hand holdable".

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #22 25-11-2009, 02:54 AM

I find the green laser pointers really very useful so,goaded by this thread, I applied for a permit today. I told them what it was for and the police seemed pretty good about it.
No problems until I wrote down "5mW laser" The WPC behind the desk hit the roof and griled me mercilessly about what I was "going to do with a 5 MEGAwatt laser"
I tried to explain that as far as I knew there were no 5 megawatt lasers on Earth and the 'm' stood for 'milliwatts'.
She asked how bright that was and I replied: "About the same as a laser gun-sight and you use it the same way". "Its also good for torturing the cat", (I meant watching her chase the dot of course).
This proved to be an unfortunate choice of words as it went downhill from there until the local head - honcho turned up and straightend things out.
I should get the permit "before Christmas".
The upshot is that the permits aren't too difficult to obtain, providing they're convinced you are legit. However, it pays to be specific and not mention cats or firearms.

But 99.9% of you are smarter than that!

erick (Eric) · #23 25-11-2009, 09:31 AM

Shot yourself in foot with laser

ps. Have you bought/built the safe you have to keep it in

rmcconachy · #24 25-11-2009, 12:32 PM

Did you have to pay the fee Peter, or did they waive it for you? Unlikely I know but I thought I'd ask

el_draco (Rom) · #25 25-11-2009, 07:35 PM

They are pretty dangerous in anyones hands and even though I use one, I do so sparingly. Its under loack and key for a good reason. When I am out, I attach it to my scope just to flick it on and then off to show people exactly where the scope is pointing. Away from airports, I use it to outline constellations..on/off against the stars. Nobody mucks around, or the evening is over. For a littly, star hopping is a great way to learn patience

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #26 26-11-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcconachy

Did you have to pay the fee Peter, or did they waive it for you? Unlikely I know but I thought I'd ask

Yes. They waved the fee because of my exceptional beauty and winning personality.

I'm surprised they didn't find some way to charge me extra!

Erik,
Weirdly enough I do have "safe" to keep it in. Its a heavy-duty, fireproof box we use for storing important papers, fake passports, Krugeraands etc.. They didn't actually bring it up. Possibly by unspoken mutual consent as things were complicated enough already.

Jen · #27 26-11-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

I find the green laser pointers really very useful so,goaded by this thread, I applied for a permit today. I told them what it was for and the police seemed pretty good about it.
No problems until I wrote down "5mW laser" The WPC behind the desk hit the roof and griled me mercilessly about what I was "going to do with a 5 MEGAwatt laser"
I tried to explain that as far as I knew there were no 5 megawatt lasers on Earth and the 'm' stood for 'milliwatts'.
She asked how bright that was and I replied: "About the same as a laser gun-sight and you use it the same way". "Its also good for torturing the cat", (I meant watching her chase the dot of course).
This proved to be an unfortunate choice of words as it went downhill from there until the local head - honcho turned up and straightend things out.
I should get the permit "before Christmas".
The upshot is that the permits aren't too difficult to obtain, providing they're convinced you are legit. However, it pays to be specific and not mention cats or firearms.

But 99.9% of you are smarter than that!

thanks for that tip Peter where are you going to purchase yours from

Jen · #28 26-11-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

Yes. They waved the fee because of my exceptional beauty and winning personality.

I'm surprised they didn't find some way to charge me extra!

Erik,
Weirdly enough I do have "safe" to keep it in. Its a heavy-duty, fireproof box we use for storing important papers, fake passports, Krugeraands etc.. They didn't actually bring it up. Possibly by unspoken mutual consent as things were complicated enough already.

What do you mean they waved the fee

erick (Eric) · #29 26-11-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

Yes. They waved the fee because of my exceptional beauty and winning personality.

I'm surprised they didn't find some way to charge me extra!

Erik,
Weirdly enough I do have "safe" to keep it in. Its a heavy-duty, fireproof box we use for storing important papers, fake passports, Krugeraands etc.. They didn't actually bring it up. Possibly by unspoken mutual consent as things were complicated enough already.

I suspect you were charged some $135-150 for three years?

They might not mention a safe but it is in the prohibited weapon documentation on the Police Site.

astro744 · #30 08-12-2009, 04:31 PM

I got myself a 4D Maglite at a local supermarket for $29 (on sale, normally $39) and it works a treat for pointing. Even at full price it's a great buy.

No license required, no danger to aircraft or personnel, beam is quite narrow (not like laser but quite OK for pointing) and can be used as a torch when the night is over. Uses 3W white LED (spare included) and is quite powerful. Not sure how long the batteries last; uses 4 x D cells so I would expect some time. All metal construction makes it very durable.

Jen · #31 08-12-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astro744

I got myself a 4D Maglite at a local supermarket for $29 (on sale, normally $39) and it works a treat for pointing. Even at full price it's a great buy.

No license required, no danger to aircraft or personnel, beam is quite narrow (not like laser but quite OK for pointing) and can be used as a torch when the night is over. Uses 3W white LED (spare included) and is quite powerful. Not sure how long the batteries last; uses 4 x D cells so I would expect some time. All metal construction makes it very durable.

sounds like a bargin i might check em out thanks

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #32 09-12-2009, 07:42 PM

I use a good quality 1 mW version and for me its fantastic if people want to know where the scope is pointing they just have to stand behind the pointer! easy done! its mounted to the finderscope and aligned with the finder/ep, its dull enough that if you stand more than 2 or 3 meters away you cant see it so its perfect for taking to star parties! as even if it flys across the FOV of a astro photo you will not notice it in the picture. too dull! thats my 2c worth!

erick (Eric) · #33 09-12-2009, 08:29 PM

Where did you source it from, Brendan? I'd like a 1mW that works well.

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #34 10-12-2009, 12:32 PM

ill have to go and dig out where they where sourced from all i know is that it works really well and doesn't fade. 2 AA batteries last for a good 3 hrs of continual use. (doesn't help that the box doesn't have a name on it!)

Robbie · #35 11-12-2009, 04:07 PM

I think 1mw is next to useless, I have a 5mw and a 10mw the 5 is good the 10 is great, the laws in most states refers to "portable" laser pointers.
Once the portable laser is fixed to a bracket and attached to a scope as a finder it ceases to be "portable" therefore not illegal ie carrying one in your pocket in town is a no no ,attached to a 50kg scope is ok.
As I said in a previous I had a visit from the police because someone reported a beam out of my back yard pointing straight up, they were going to confiscate and fine me but as it was attached to a scope they could not.
I have to say they are a great investment work better than any other finder bar none but local light pollution will render a 1mw laser useless so get one in the 5 to 10mw range, put it in a removable dovetail and leave it there.
Ask vendor to post it as a telescope accessory in contents description and get the bracket and the pointer in one delivery, its not a fib, and it shows its for legal use.

Robbie · #36 11-12-2009, 04:12 PM

hahaha 5 megawatt laser !!! you can use one of those to dig a new bore water well.

erick (Eric) · #37 11-12-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie

Once the portable laser is fixed to a bracket and attached to a scope as a finder it ceases to be "portable" therefore not illegal ie carrying one in your pocket in town is a no no ,attached to a 50kg scope is ok.
As I said in a previous I had a visit from the police because someone reported a beam out of my back yard pointing straight up, they were going to confiscate and fine me but as it was attached to a scope they could not.

Feel free to come and try in Victoria

I agree 1mW will struggle in light pollution. I will be using it primarily as a finder under dark skies.

Oh, and I should mention that with our winter observing temperatures (often sub-zero) a green laser left out (eg. on a bracket) without heating will soon not "lase" at all.

Jen · #38 08-01-2010, 05:31 PM

Well i went into the police station and told them i wanted to get a laser pointer and they said yeah thats fine if your using it for astronomy they wont tell me off if they drive past and see me using it in my own back yard and they sent me off on my merry way

But that dosnt help me on how to purchase one

Liz · #39 08-01-2010, 06:12 PM

Hey Jen

... there are lots of places selling them now.
I bought mine from Myastroshop for about $95, and thinks its a 10 mw, dont even think of the 1 mw - lollywater stuff.
Have a look at the online astronomy shops and grab one
eg http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/laser%20pointer.htm

mithrandir (Andrew) · #40 08-01-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz

Hey Jen

... there are lots of places selling them now.
I bought mine from Myastroshop for about $95, and thinks its a 10 mw, dont even thing of the 1 mw - lollywater stuff.
Have a look at the online astronomy shops and grab one
eg http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/laser%20pointer.htm

1mW would be less than useless here in Sydney. 10mW is fine. Eric is right though. Green lasers don't seem to like the temperature being much below 15 deg.

Liz, the law is different in each of the deep north, middle earth and the deep south.

Qld regs appear to let you get away with any power you like. Sirius is based in Qld and the last time I looked their ads they said something about taking caution with asking them to ship interstate.

NSW regs are similar, as long as you belong to a police registered astronomy club/society. I got mine from York, but they don't seem to stock them any more.

Vic requires a permit for anything over 1mW.

No doubt the nanny federal government would like to take over and apply Vic style regs everywhere.