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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hauksen" data-source="post: 3797407" data-attributes="member: 142861">Hi Andy,For a Class 4 laser, even if behind the light source:Now a Class 4 laser admittedly has >= 500 mW power, and in this thread, no-one actually suggested to use a laser of that power class.However, I believe some people recommended "at least 50 mW", and for someone not aware of the dangers associated with lasers, it potentially could seem like a good idea to jump straight to a Class 4 laser if the budget allows - which it very definitely isn't.The laser safety site also states on Class 4 lasers:(Quotes are from <a href="http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/4/" target="_blank">http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/4/</a> )With regard to 50 mW lasers, here's an assessment from the Class 3 safety advice:For example, if you're looking at your smartphone and someone accidentally shines a 50 mW laser on the reflective screen, that might cause eye injury in a small fraction of a second.Class 3R lasers of up to 5 mW are considered eye-safe as it takes 0.25 s to reach dangerous heat levels, giving you time to blink and save your eye.A 50 mW laser, being 10 times as powerful, can damage the eye in a tenth of this time, which means can easily cause eye damage before your blinking reflex can protect you. It also means that even a sweeping beam can cause eye damage.So for anyone using a laser of > 5 mW, it's probably a good idea to read this page in order to be able to assess the risks and use it as safely as possible:<a href="http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/3B/" target="_blank">http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/3B/</a>Personally, I would consider it a good idea to make it a rule to never hand over the laser to anyone else who might not be aware of the hazards associated with a powerful laser - for example because he mistakes it for just another low-powered laser pointer like the ones he has used a thousand times.Regards,Henning</blockquote>

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