Laser pointer for rainforest birding (1 Viewer)

jurek

Well-known member

• Nov 28, 2008

• #1

Hello,

I am looking for laser pointer for birding in rainforest.

Who has one which performs well or can tell what to avoid? Is any ordinary laser pointer, like ones used for presentations, OK? Where you buy one?

cheers

PS. You don't light the pointer at the bird but near it, I know that.

 

rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• Dec 15, 2008

• #2

This type are usually very good - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SKY-GREEN-LAS...14&_trkparms=72:1300|66:2|65:12|39:2|240:1318
I would recommend Green over Red as they are more powerful and more readily seen by the human eye particularly in the dappled light of rainforests. I've used one fairly regularly on tour to point out tricky stuff. Obviously, don't point it anywhere near the birds face

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2008

Hanno

Ho Ho Ho

• Dec 19, 2008

• #3

I use an "AstroPen" from M&T optics which I picked up in Taiwan. Not cheap, but very powerful. It is a green light laser for the reasons rockfowl mentioned.

 

Kevin Conville

yardbirder

• Dec 19, 2008

• #4

rockfowl said:

I would recommend Green over Red as they are more powerful and more readily seen by the human eye particularly in the dappled light of rainforests. I've used one fairly regularly on tour to point out tricky stuff. Obviously, don't point it anywhere near the birds face

Click to expand...

And... don't point them anywhere near humans either. In my part of the world, at star parties, these are considered in very poor taste. They are potentially dangerous, people get sloppy and accidents happen.

 

temmie

Well-known member

• Dec 19, 2008

• #5

I bought mine here:
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.911

tons of rubbish and fun stuff :t:

 

Charles Harper

Régisseur

• May 15, 2009

• #6

.
Unfortunately, your link now leads to a delisted product, rockfowl.

I've been mulling over the laser pointers at Laserglow ( http://www.laserglow.com/index.php?portable ) and Wicked Lasers ( http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/CORE-67-0.html ), but cannot get beyond waffling. And now I need to read through Hanno's recommended site ( http://www.telescopes.com.tw/06M&T/20-laser-home_eng.htm ) as well!

From what I have read so far, $10 ones are not good enough for jungle work.

Anybody know about power requirements (5mW / 10 mW)?
.

 

jurek

Well-known member

• May 15, 2009

• #7

Charles Harper said:

From what I have read so far, $10 ones are not good enough for jungle work.

Anybody know about power requirements (5mW / 10 mW)?
.

Click to expand...

I finally got 5mW. It was helpful in the dark underground, but more would be better.

Important is some kind of 'lock' which prevents switching on when accidentally pressed. My model lacks it (you can disable it only by unscrewing) and I twice accidentally emptied the batteries when carrying it in the field.

Also, models which can be easily carried on the strap around the neck are better. With bins, ipod and guidebook you easily run out of hands.

 

E

etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Jun 10, 2009

• #8

Do note that US Customs disallows the non eye safe laser pointers. That limits them to under 5mw, I believe.
That said, they are a wonderful tool for directing fellow birders to spot birds.