Light Sabre anyone?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/830936-p...n-sale-for-135

But junior Jedis hoping to recreate the clash between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader should think again, as the Spyder III Pro Arctic is not a toy and its force could prove deadly, according to the manufacturer.

The 1watt tool, said to be the world’s most powerful portable laser, features a blue ray that is 1,000 times stronger than sunlight on skin.

‘Extremely dangerous is an understatement to the power,’ says Hong Kong manufacturer Wicked Lasers.

‘It will blind permanently and instantly and set fire quickly to skin and other body parts – use with extreme caution and only when using the included eye protection.’

The powerful beam can be seen by aircraft pilots 72km (45miles) away and should not be pointed at vehicles, children or animals, Wicked adds.

But, even though it is a potentially lethal weapon, it seems anyone with a credit card can order one.

Britain is listed as one of 70 countries the laser will be shipped to and there do not appear to be age checks on buyers.

Customers must agree to a Class IV Laser Hazard acknowledgment form before ordering online and the document says ‘people have been arrested, fined and jailed for misuse’.

The Spyder III comes with safety goggles but even these cannot fully protect against the rays.

A post on a laser enthusiasts’ website reads: ‘I just ordered one. It will be stored in my gun safe because it is about as dangerous as a handgun.’

The $200 (£135) device was built by adapting blue lasers from home cinema projectors.

[drteeth]

Selling material like that does *not* sound like a good idea.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by drteeth

Selling material like that does *not* sound like a good idea.

+1

If these are on the market they should at least be regulated to gun laws, maybe even hae some special laws drafted for this particular weapon. Seems very dangerous, especially in the wrong hands.

Could it cut through bank vaults? Maybe we'll see a lot more cool/stupid bank robberies now...

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Nah, you'd never cut through a large metal surface with one of those.

If it was to be used as a weapon, it should be banned by the geneva convention, more likely to disable and cause disfigurement than be fatal.

As someone who works with class 4 lasers daily, I really don't see why things like that are legally allowed to be bought by joe public. I realise that is a part taken from a projector, but still. These devices, stand alone and open like that can cause a lot of damage. (I've got lumps of crud floating in my eye which was caused by a reflection from a 3 watt laser)

These things ain't toys!

[warwick.hoy]

My friend mentioned these. I told him that until it can actually slice of a human limb like at the end of "Empire...." it is a failure.

[McHaven]

I better get one before they get shut down.

[Happynoj]

I'm almost tempted to get one just to see if it really does set fire to stuff instantly, but at the same time I would be terrified of it.

[Demon_Hunter]

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side kid"-Han Solo

[iamlowsound]

A guy from work ordered one today after we heard about it on the radio. It should be here in a few weeks. I will report on its uses once he brings it in.

lowsound

[ehque]

Wickedlasers.com has been around for a very long time.

They have a TORCH (flashlight) that can set paper on fire and cook eggs. Think about that.

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I'm almost tempted to get one just to see if it really does set fire to stuff instantly, but at the same time I would be terrified of it.

If it is the specs they give, then it will.

I've managed to start things smoldering in the lab when our laser was only at about 500mW

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

A guy from work ordered one today after we heard about it on the radio. It should be here in a few weeks. I will report on its uses once he brings it in.

lowsound

All I'm going to say is be careful, very careful with it. Even reflections could potentially blind or burn you. Also, at 445nm, you are getting close to UV, I've not seen the spectrum for that laser, so you could be potentially pumping out light that could be within the UV range, and that's bad for you, even at a fraction of the max power of that thing.

Another thing I'll add, check over the saftey goggles they send with that thing. I highly doubt they will do anything like they suggest they should. The saftey goggles we'd use for a laser like that would easily be £100-£150 alone.

[KeithBMI]

Does this not scare anyone else? People doing drive-by "blindings"

[ehque]

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

Does this not scare anyone else? People doing drive-by "blindings"

Doesn't seem to be more dangerous than a drive-by shooting, in any case.

[john turner]

except it's silent, has a longer range of accuracy, and cannot be "ballistically matched".

[Happynoj]

Originally Posted by john turner

except it's silent, has a longer range of accuracy, and cannot be "ballistically matched".

+1

Also, this is much easier and cheaper to get hold of than a gun, especially in countries where guns are illegal.

EDIT: Also, no background or age checks are required.

[drteeth]

Originally Posted by Happynoj

+1

Also, this is much easier and cheaper to get hold of than a gun, especially in countries where guns are illegal.

EDIT: Also, no background or age checks are required.

I am fiercely hoping that will change in the near future.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by ehque

Doesn't seem to be more dangerous than a drive-by shooting, in any case.

People are aware of how harmful guns are, a laser, it's only light, what's the worst that could happen?

I really hope these things are banned from public use . . .

[MadMan118]

50mW is small fry compared to the other insane things these people sell.

[sloasdaylight]

This is both cool, but amazingly scary at the same time.

[Radical Edward]

There is definitely something wrong with this company to not be, at the very least, restricting them. I don't think most adults should have this, much less a minor. Though, it is pretty amazing that that's even possible.
I wonder how long until there's a law-suit..