Where could I get laser diodes in bulk under $5 that will not cause any long term or significant short term damage if you accidentally look into it? They do not need to be too bright, but they should be visible on a wall if it's 15-20 feet away. I need them for some projects (laser tripwire and possibly a servo laser turret), but I do not want the possibility of someone looking into it and getting eye damage. I have looked around, but most, even the cheapest, say that there is significant risk if you look into them. Am I looking for something that does not exist, or are there safe laser diodes out there for a decent price?

 

Here you go: 10 laser diodes for $5.99 with free 1-day shipping for Prime customers.

 

Are you sure those safe if you accidentally look into them for a brief moment?

 

Where could I get laser diodes in bulk under $5 that will not cause any long term or significant short term damage if you accidentally look into it?

No such thing.

 

Question:
Is this eye hazardous for indirect viewing? (Looking at the beam diameter on a wall)
Answer:
1) All lasers, even the weakest ones are considered hazardous when shined into the retina of the eye, especially pets, old people and young children.
************ PLEASE DON'T SHINE THIS LASER IN ANYONE'S EYES **********
2) These lasers are not good for what I intended them for, but they were cheap and I opted to do so… see more
By William Farver on April 1, 2017
No. That is considered a diffuse reflection and this will not have enough reflected energy density in that situation to cause harm. Do not look directly into the beam our directly into a reflection off a shiny surface. Those are specular and are more dangerous. Realistically with these, accidentally catching a g… see more
By Jason Anderson on April 3, 2017
This is the same intensity as a laser pointer. No indirect viewing hazards.

Are they dangerous if you stare into them for a long duration or if they shine in you eye for a brief moment? This suggests they are dangerous under any circumstances.

 

Also, is there a good alternative like a focused LED or something? Or could I get 10-15 safety glasses for under $10-$15? I am planning on presenting it to a small group of people.

 

that will not cause any long term or significant short term damage if you accidentally look into it?

Don't take chances, treat any laser as if it could cause damage. They can be mislabeled and/or overpowered.

Unless you measure the output yourself you can't trust any laser to be safe.

 

So what about laser alternatives or cheap but effective safety glasses?

 

Ok, so I looked into it and there are LED pointers, which are LEDs that are focused more. So where could I get like 5 or 10 for under $10? I looked on Amazon, and all I found was LED cat pointers that were $5 each.

 

Are you sure those safe if you accidentally look into them for a brief moment?

No laser is completely safe.

Those particular units are similar to the lasers used in cheap laser pointers-- that is, not very powerful. Still, I expect that staring straight into the beam of one of them, assuming you could force yourself to do it without immediately looking away, would certainly not do your eyes any good. As for a brief glance I have those same units and have accidentally looked straight at one once; it hurt, but I can still see.

Proceed at your own risk.

 

Are you sure those safe if you accidentally look into them for a brief moment?

Would you point a gun at your head and pull the trigger to see it it is loaded?

Just use care and some common sense.

 

From Wikipedia:
"Van Norren et al. (1998)[32] could not find a single example in the medical literature of a <1 mW class III laser causing eyesight damage"
and
"Thus, it appears that a brief 0.25-second exposure to a <5 mW laser such as found in red laser pointers does not pose a threat to eye health. On the other hand, there is a potential for injury if a person deliberately stares into a beam of a class IIIa laser for few seconds or more at close range."

So it would appear that if you use a visible light laser with <1mW output there is little likelihood of any eye damage no matter how long you look at it.

 

Ok, so I looked into it and there are LED pointers, which are LEDs that are focused more. So where could I get like 5 or 10 for under $10? I looked on Amazon, and all I found was LED cat pointers that were $5 each.

If been looking for safe bullets for a 9mm, I'm sure they exist. The problem is that everyone I ask is trying to hide something from me and won't tell me where to find them. I just need the safe bullets so I can add some new things to my kids' toy box.

 

"Van Norren et al. (1998)[32] could not find a single example in the medical literature of a <1 mW class III laser causing eyesight damage"

Proof that the little warning labels on milliwatt lasers work.

 

So where do I find "a gun with rubber bullets", as you would say? One where brief exposure is Ok, but not necessarily looking into it for a second or two. Or good focused LEDs.

 

So where do I find "a gun with rubber bullets", as you would say? One where brief exposure is Ok, but not necessarily looking into it for a second or two. Or good focused LEDs.

As rcrutchlow said, milliwatt and lower are pretty darn safe. They let every Tom, Dick and Harry use one to read barcodes at the self-service checkouts.

 

I used some from the dollar store they where 5 pack for a dollar

 

So would these 5 MW (err... I mean mW) laser diodes be safe enough?
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-650n...54277&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=laser+diode&psc=1

 

As rcrutchlow said, milliwatt and lower are pretty darn safe. They let every Tom, Dick and Harry use one to read barcodes at the self-service checkouts.

I know Harry and I can tell you he has never used a barcode scanner. He has a fear of them. Afraid he will go blind looking to the laser.

 

I know Harry and I can tell you he has never used a barcode scanner. He has a fear of them. Afraid he will go blind looking to the laser.

I'm just surprised Harry is willing to stand in front of a 16-year-old cashier wielding a had-held scanner at Target.