There’s been a fair amount of bad press recently about a new, high powered laser pointer being offered for sale to the general public over the internet. It’s even made it into the #avtweeps twitter group recently. But, perhaps what you weren’t aware of is the source of the blue Laser diodes used in its construction.
It turns out, after some examination of the supplier’s web site, that the blue diodes that make up the Spyder III Pro Artic are cannibalised from Casio’s new Slim Green, hybrid laser projector.
The manufacturer, Wicked Lasers, makes no attempt to disguise the source of its components, even publishing a few handy diagrams on its web site demonstrating the extraction of the diodes from the projector.
In a statement to InAVate, a Casio spokesperson said: “Casio is aware that the laser technology within the Green Slim projector has been referenced as being used to build the SpyderIII portable laser. Casio does not condone or endorse this use of its laser technology as it is not designed for this purpose.”
The Class 4 device is a pretty nasty piece of equipment – the warning on the vendor’s website reads “Warning: Extremely dangerous is an understatement to 1W of laser power. At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversible retinal damage. Use with extreme caution and use only when wearing proper safety goggles with an O.D. of 3+ is required and 4.4+ for longer exposures. Customers will be required to completely read and agree to our Class 4 Laser Hazard Acknowledgement Form.”
Perhaps more concerning is that the only regulations surrounding the ownership of such products appear to be a requirement to wear appropriate safety gear when using them!