# 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:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![danielpower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@danielpower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danielpower)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/21 "2010-07-23T13:26:48Z")
For military use! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/22 "2010-07-24T15:36:24Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > 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.” Nope. The increase seems real. Good thinking though. Seems to me this product is simply an accident waiting to happen. I’m usually pretty open-minded about letting dangerous products out in public, but I’m a lot happier about products which are dangerous to the operator. Products which can endanger thousands at zero risk to the operator are not smart. Some idiot or malcontent is gonna bring one into a stadium and commit mass mayhem. While the people sitting near him are oblivious because it looks so innocuous. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/23 "2010-07-24T15:56:29Z")
how does it compare to [The Torch](http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/cd85/)? in terms of heat, brightness, danger to eyes, etc? ---
**Author:** ![poker\_in\_the\_rear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@poker\_in\_the\_rear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poker_in_the_rear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/24 "2010-07-24T16:08:29Z")
[/QUOTE] Some idiot or malcontent is gonna bring one into a stadium and commit mass mayhem. While the people sitting near him are oblivious because it looks so innocuous. [/QUOTE] Yeah I’m thinking of when someone decides to use them in the commission of a robbery, to blind cops in pursuit, blinding the ghetto birds etc. I don’t think the police would take too kindly to it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/25 "2010-07-24T16:11:10Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > how does it compare to [The Torch](http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/cd85/)? in terms of heat, brightness, danger to eyes, etc? Lasers in the watt range are much more dangerous than flashlights, even ones in the 100 watt range. This might be a decent analogy. Imagine a guy with a baseball bat. How much of a danger is he to your eyes? Now imagine a guy that has a machine gun that shoots out long fine needles on a continous basis that can shoot distances of hundreds if not thousands of feet That flashlight is the baseball bat. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/26 "2010-07-24T16:20:00Z")
> [@poker\_in\_the\_rear](#): > > Yeah I’m thinking of when someone decides to use them in the commission of a robbery, to blind cops in pursuit, blinding the ghetto birds etc. > > I don’t think the police would take too kindly to it. Never bring a laser to a tazer fight. :smack: (thats the guy covering his now blind eye) :eek: (and this is the guy who got tazed in the nuts) 🆒 (and this is the guy wearing saftey googles) who actually looks like this 🙂 underneath because he isnt this :smack: guy. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-be-a-valid-use-for-this-very-dangerous-super-high-powered-laser-pointer/547681/27 "2010-07-24T16:46:52Z")
Thanks for the link. I just bought the thing! I will let you know what use I ever get out of it other than, “Neat! Look at my laser!” I also bought their 200mW Violet Laser! I’ve been wanting a purple laser for a while now! [Previous 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=1)