21-03-2025, 11:20 AM
A couple of weeks ago, with an upcoming presentation, I wanted a laser pointer.
Attempt 1.
I bought one for £9 from Amazon, described in the product title as a "torch" and "flashlight", with images of it being used in a presentation. It arrived, I turned it on, and a massively intense beam struck the wall. In fairness, it had a laser safety label which stated it was class 3B, and saying that it was 100mW. That is the correct classification for a 100mW laser. The safe direct viewing distance for that power is 32 metres and a flash blindness distance of 800m; at 32m the beam has grown in diameter enough that the eye blink response of 0.25 seconds saves your retina from damage. Directly viewing the beam from a Class 3B will drill a hole in your retina and permanently damage your eyesight.
I reported this to Consumer Advice, and they have forwarded it to Trading Standards.
Attempt 2
Just arrived from an eBay sale, £3.99. The auction says in red "***Max. Output : 1mW (this is the UK legal limit)***" and saying "Use the laser to point at any desired targets from projection screens..."
It arrived, put batteries in, and turned on. An intense beam hit the wall - clearly not less that 1mW. Laser safety label says "Class 3, less than 5mW". That has a 0.25s viewing distance of 16m and a flash blindness distance of 80m. I actually think that this is significantly more that 5mW BTW.
The seller has paused the sales while he investigates.
Craig
Attempt 1.
I bought one for £9 from Amazon, described in the product title as a "torch" and "flashlight", with images of it being used in a presentation. It arrived, I turned it on, and a massively intense beam struck the wall. In fairness, it had a laser safety label which stated it was class 3B, and saying that it was 100mW. That is the correct classification for a 100mW laser. The safe direct viewing distance for that power is 32 metres and a flash blindness distance of 800m; at 32m the beam has grown in diameter enough that the eye blink response of 0.25 seconds saves your retina from damage. Directly viewing the beam from a Class 3B will drill a hole in your retina and permanently damage your eyesight.
I reported this to Consumer Advice, and they have forwarded it to Trading Standards.
Attempt 2
Just arrived from an eBay sale, £3.99. The auction says in red "***Max. Output : 1mW (this is the UK legal limit)***" and saying "Use the laser to point at any desired targets from projection screens..."
It arrived, put batteries in, and turned on. An intense beam hit the wall - clearly not less that 1mW. Laser safety label says "Class 3, less than 5mW". That has a 0.25s viewing distance of 16m and a flash blindness distance of 80m. I actually think that this is significantly more that 5mW BTW.
The seller has paused the sales while he investigates.
Craig
