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"Our results show that the so-called 'frequency doubled' laser pointers, usually green, blue and violet pointers, can be particularly dangerous even if they seem safe to the user," he said.
"For example, some laser pointers can output widely different laser power depending on the temperature. They can appear perfectly safe at room temperature only to become much more dangerous outside and vice-versa. Moreover, as pointers are being used they heat up, so a pointer that initially seems safe can subsequently become highly powerful and dangerous.
"Other lasers can produce safe levels of coloured light, but at the same time emit high power invisible infrared light. A person looking at the visible green light would estimate the laser to be safe and the much greater power and danger would go unnoticed until injury occurs."
Laser pointers have been controversial, in particular because they have been shined into the eyes of plane and helicopter pilots and train drivers, with an average of 1,500 reported attacks per year in the UK. They can cause permanent or temporary eye damage, and it is a criminal offence to do so.
If they're so dangerous, why are they putting them in the headlights for all the new cars?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @12:09PM (14 children)
I really hate it when someone uses a green pointer during their presentation.
It's way too bright.
I have no idea why people even buy pointers that are not just plain red.
With brand new batteries, those are borderline acceptable as well in terms of brightness...
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @12:13PM (9 children)
The green ones are nice if you are pointing out objects in the night sky to someone.
(Score: 2) by CoolHand on Wednesday October 11 2017, @12:44PM (4 children)
It's why I bought one.. They're awesome for that.
Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job-Douglas Adams
(Score: 5, Funny) by DannyB on Wednesday October 11 2017, @01:33PM (3 children)
Laser pointers are especially useful for pointing out aircraft in the night sky.
(ducks, hides under desk)
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @02:46PM (2 children)
You've got ducks and hides under your desk?
(Score: 5, Funny) by kazzie on Wednesday October 11 2017, @02:58PM
Do I need to point them out with a laser for you?
(Score: 3, Funny) by bob_super on Wednesday October 11 2017, @05:53PM
Winter IS coming, you know...
(Score: 2) by ledow on Wednesday October 11 2017, @02:54PM (2 children)
Pretty sure any amateur astronomer would wrestle you to the ground if you're shining bright green things around, as opposed to "night-vision friendly" red stuff.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @04:01PM (1 child)
Nope, even the green ones (assuming legal <5mW power) are dim enough to not be a problem when you shine them up in the sky, because you only see the backscatter. Now if you shine it on nearby objects, sure, it would be bad. So don't do that.
(Score: 2) by bryan on Wednesday October 11 2017, @06:20PM
Oblig xkcd [xkcd.com].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @09:25PM
Like airplane cockpits?
(Score: 2) by fraxinus-tree on Wednesday October 11 2017, @12:30PM (2 children)
Green lasers are expensive, or at least used to be, back then. That's why most people buy them. Red ones are just OK.
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Wednesday October 11 2017, @02:33PM (1 child)
I paid something like $150 for my green pointer some 10-15 years ago. Now you can get them for $10.
I also paid around $100 for my red pointer when they first became available. Now the dollar stores have them for $0.99.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 11 2017, @05:02PM
And how much did you pay for all those gold chains, mister big spender?
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Wednesday October 11 2017, @05:37PM
Even the red ones seem too bright to me. Even the tiny ones they sometimes build into projector remotes. It's alright if used sparingly just to point out one or two things, but if I'm looking at that dot for more than a few seconds it starts to hurt my eyes. Some people will just leave the laser pointing at the screen for an entire presentation/lecture and then I miss half of it because I can't bear to keep my eyes on the screen...