News on Banning of laser Pionters

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by starboy

Of course 300mW is probably overkill but could it but legitimized in this sort of application? Also I live in SA.

Thanks..

Hi starboy, Congrats on your first post.

Yes we legitimately use 300mW lasers to burn out the eyes of phony amateur astronomers

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Yes we legitimately use 300mW lasers to burn out the eyes of phony amateur astronomers

He's a cruel man, cruel but fair. There are a few 'starboys' crawling out of the woodwork wanting to know if we can legitimize their death rays. Fortunately we can't,even if we were so irresponsible. Advice about the legislation in NSW is that:

"A member of an approved professional or amateur astronomical organisation ... is exempt from the requirement ... for a permit to possess or use a prohibited weapon [ie Class 3 lasers], but only for the purpose of enabling the person to take part in activities associated with astronomy."

There is no use in astronomy for a 300mW laser, though possible uses in purifying the gene pool should be considered.

[starboy]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Hi starboy, Congrats on your first post.

Yes we legitimately use 300mW lasers to burn out the eyes of phony amateur astronomers

Very intellegent comment!! Apparently children are welcome in this forum to! Thumbs up to you to mate, great post !

A bit more searching gave me the answer to this question here in this forum..

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...70,482,0,0,1,0

I might also note that after making a few phone calls almost anyone is allowed to import a laser pointer. Reguardless of mW. Just do some research and youl find this out for yourself.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by starboy

Very intellegent comment!! Apparently children are welcome in this forum to! Thumbs up to you to mate, great post !

A bit more searching gave me the answer to this question here in this forum..

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=70,482,0,0,1,0

I might also note that after making a few phone calls almost anyone is allowed to import a laser pointer. Reguardless of mW. Just do some research and youl find this out for yourself.

Your research is inadequate and you are not abreast of the situation. Mike's post was the situation in April and things have changed since then. The federal gov't has now signaled it's intent to restrict the importation of lasers over 1mW. As the law has not yet been passed and enacted said importation is still legal as far as I know. However there is still the question of possession. I think the letter at http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=33630 is plain enough.

The absolute maximum I would endorse for astronomy is 30mW. I have one of those that I use in a fully lit area under a full moon to point out objects to people at public viewing nights and it is plenty bright. Under rural skies it is far too bright and I plan to get a 5mW unit to mount on my dobs.

As you cannot use a 300mW laser for astronomy you would need to find a different exemption which justifies this size and that is, to say the least, unlikely. Alternatively you can have a little heart to heart with the Commissioner of Police about why you should have a prohibited weapons permit. Failing that you may wind up having a little heart to heart with a judge about a $5,500 fine or a bit of free room and board. I'll be the one in the gallery cheering wildly as the judgment is handed down.

Yes, children are welcome here but they won't be treated with kid gloves.

[MrB (Simon)]

As far as WA goes, I spoke to a retailer on Sunday about this, he said he will have to apply for an importers license but won't be bothering as his sales aren't great enough to justify it.

I can think of a couple of legitimate uses for 300mW(and larger) lasers at home, and both of them I would like to try sometime in the future, but whether there's an exemption in place for them is another thing. There may be, but would probably have to be registered as a small business.

[Hoggman (Keith)]

hey yall,
i'm new here. no i'm not a astronomer. so please don't judge me. i would like to know if someone could tell me anything about laser pointers. i would like to get a green pointer. but i don't really know where to go for one. and would like to find one pretty cheap.

[erick (Eric)]

Keith, tons of them on ebay (US site) - cheapest $12.95 for a 5mWatt unit.

What do you want to do with it?

[dannat (Daniel)]

keith - keep in mind that laser pointers are now being seized (some of) upon entry into the country by customs - i think you would need evidence why you require the item (eg astro society member) - & have a license depending upon the state law

[erick (Eric)]

Keith's details say he is in North Carolina - safe from Australian State and Federal law!