# What exactly would be a valid use for this very dangerous, super high powered laser pointer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 23, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681 "2010-07-23T03:42:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/1 "2010-07-23T03:42:07Z")
[Re the S3 Spyder Arctic](http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Spyder_III_Pro_Arctic_Series-96-37.html) [As an aside George Lucas is suing them for the “light saber” look](http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/07/06/light.saber.lucas/index.html?iref=obinsite#fbid=quXpvnZ014U) > [@](#): > > The Arctic emits a 445nm cool blue, ultra high power 1W beam which appears up to 4000% brighter than the Sonar’s 405nm violet beam. This direct blue laser diode is the result of the evolution of laser technology. Less than one year ago, this laser would have cost thousands of dollars to build. Don’t let the Arctic name fool you, this laser possesses the most burning capabilities of any portable laser in existence. That’s why it’s also the most dangerous laser ever created. In recognizing and mastering the power of direct blue diodes, the Wicked Lasers’ Arctic shall become the standard by which all other blue lasers are judged. > > The new Arctic makes history with the addition of an electronic SmartSwitch™. The ergonomically positioned SmartSwitch™ makes the laser over 100 times safer to handle and enables 6 long-awaited features. > > As an additional safety precaution, each Arctic comes with a removable training lenses and standard lenses. The removable training lenses allows our users to initially start out using the Arctic but at a fraction of its maximum output power. Replace the training lenses with the included standard lenses for maximum power. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/2 "2010-07-23T03:44:50Z")
Burning ants at night. And without a magnifying glass. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/3 "2010-07-23T03:50:05Z")
Why do you think it’s a pointing laser? I know a few physics undergrads who’ve purchased them to do optics experiments and projects without having to rely on access to labs. Easier than cannibalizing old gas tube CD/laserdisc players. I know a few people (myself included) who’d like to have one just to play with. It’s not much different than using magnifying glasses to burn stuff as a kid, really. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/4 "2010-07-23T03:59:15Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > Why do you think it’s a pointing laser? > > I know a few physics undergrads who’ve purchased them to do optics experiments and projects without having to rely on access to labs. Easier than cannibalizing old gas tube CD/laserdisc players. I know a few people (myself included) who’d like to have one just to play with. It’s not much different than using magnifying glasses to burn stuff as a kid, really. Could you set something on fire from 100 feet away? ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/5 "2010-07-23T04:06:42Z")
Not that I’ve seen. It can light a cigarette or burn a pinhole in paper up close… as far as burning capacity, it’s about as dangerous as a butane jet lighter. The big danger is in its blinding capacity. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/6 "2010-07-23T04:07:35Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > Why do you think it’s a pointing laser? > > I know a few physics undergrads who’ve purchased them to do optics experiments and projects without having to rely on access to labs. Easier than cannibalizing old gas tube CD/laserdisc players. I know a few people (myself included) who’d like to have one just to play with. It’s not much different than using magnifying glasses to burn stuff as a kid, really. That’s BS. A 1W laser is a class IV Laser, and is not eyesafe. Use of this laser in public would constitute a serious hazard to those in the area, something that a magnifying glass wouldn’t. BTW, I have two 30W Infrared cutting lasers, so I am aware of proper laser safety procedures. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/7 "2010-07-23T04:09:42Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Could you set something on fire from 100 feet away? No, you could seriously hurt someones vision from a distance, though. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/8 "2010-07-23T04:11:09Z")
its cool ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/9 "2010-07-23T04:11:13Z")
What’s BS? That I’d like one to play with (true?) or that I know of a few students using them in an optics experiment (which I’d hardly classify as “public”)? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/10 "2010-07-23T04:13:05Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > What’s BS? That I’d like one to play with (true?) or that I know of a few students using them in an optics experiment (which I’d hardly classify as “public”)? This: > [@](#): > > It’s not much different than using magnifying glasses to burn stuff as a kid, really. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/11 "2010-07-23T04:15:38Z")
Oh, yeah, I did ignore the blinding problems in that post, since I was focused on the burning capacity of the laser at the time. You’ll see I did acknowledge it later, before your own post… Mea culpa. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/12 "2010-07-23T04:20:24Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > BTW, I have two 30W Infrared cutting lasers, so I am aware of proper laser safety procedures. Can I come over and play sometime?😃 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/13 "2010-07-23T04:24:15Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Can I come over and play sometime?😃 Only with proper eye protection… ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/14 "2010-07-23T04:46:46Z")
From the link: “Important Announcement: S3 Arctic will no longer be offered at the introductory pricing of $197.97 effective on midnight July 23rd PST. The new price will be $299.95.” My bet is that tomorrow, that will change to “midnight July **24th** PST.” ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/15 "2010-07-23T05:15:04Z")
I see a bunch of lasers at Canadian Tire that are supposed to be mounted on top of a hunting rifle. Perhaps you could use it to detach a deer’s retina before blowing its brains out? ---
**Author:** ![Kilmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kilmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilmore)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/16 "2010-07-23T05:18:29Z")
Could it defrost your windshield? ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/17 "2010-07-23T07:31:47Z")
Bah! Following up to report that the students I know doing the optics experiments ordered the Arctic, but the laser in their project right now is from a different company. I screw up again! ---
**Author:** ![enigmatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@enigmatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigmatic)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/18 "2010-07-23T08:34:10Z")
I don’t see any way that these lasers can be safely used as a pointing device. They are sufficiently powerful that they pose a blinding hazard not just through direct aiming but by reflection off pretty much any surface within 6 feet or so. You shine one past a window and you can blind someone standing hundreds of metres away. They are incredibly dangerous devices and I can see a lot of people being blinded as a result of the irresponsible idiots who will buy and sell them. They obviously can be used as a cheap experimental laser, but aren’t going to be well suited for most such applications as, absent any space issues, you are probably going to want such a laser to have a bit more weight and stability to it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/19 "2010-07-23T11:38:01Z")
1 Watt isn’t really remarkable in a laboratory laser. The real difference in this is its portability and its ease of maneuvering. _That’s_ what can cause problems. Your typical 1 Watt lab laser is either held down on a lab bench by gravity or, more likely, is bolted down. This keeps the beam in a known plane away from eyes or reflections from the random mirror surface. With a completely free laser that can be swinging around, there are infinitely more opportunities for the beam to go into someone’s eyes, either directly or though a chance reflection from a mirror or a glass surface. And that’s purely by chance with someone carefully operating it in good faith. The probability of this happening rises rapidly with non-careful users, drunken or incompetent users, and the actively malicious. After one or more bad experiences with such users, someone’s going to slap regulations on this – people have been rumbling about putting restrictions on hand-held lasers for years. To tell the truth, I can’t think of any real uses for a hand-held laser of this power. It’s too weak to really do anything useful (You can talk about lighting cigarettes with it, but I’ve stuck my hand in a 1 Watt laser beam, and it’s still whole), but it can have catastrophic results if you send it into a camera system or someone’s eye. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/20 "2010-07-23T13:14:10Z")
Cal’s right on the money about this eye safety thing. I used to only have worry about stray bullets. Now I gotta worry about stray beams too. Though, I guess I’ll look pretty cool walking through the woods in an orange safety vests and laser safety goggles. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681.md?page=2)