A Safe Laser Pointer for Semi Close Range

[EnterTheSwamp]

I want to buy a laser pointer, preferably green or blue, that I can use to point out stuff in construction. It doesn't have to be super powerful, just enough to be visible at about 80 feet or so. After reading the safety concerns regarding the lasers, I also wanted to get one that is as safe as possible as well.

Please reccomend where I can get such a laser. Thanks.

 

[chuck]

It's generally considered a truism that a LASER with an output rating of 5mw or less is safe for your eyes. Shorter wavelengths are potentially more dangerous than longer wavelengths, at the same power level...the eye is much more sensitive to green, for example, than it is to red.

Anyway...pointers of 5mw and under are commonly available, all over the internet. DealExtreme seems to be popular around this forum...and their prices are definitely right.

-- Chuck Knight

 

[comozo]

For outside work and to be visible in full sunlight I'd go for a pointer from Atlasnova [HighSpec]. 5mw will be washed out in full sunlight.
Divergence is also important, you want a laser with a low beam divergence, I think atlasnova still carries pointers with a beam divergence of 0.6mrd.