%% Title: eBay laser pointers Created: 2022-03-07 20:21 Status: Parent: [[Resources/Science/Laser]] Tags: Source: %% # eBay Laser Pointers I was watching a [styropyro video](https://youtu.be/DMVWW-bmKwQ) about eBay lasers marketed as being 5mW but being much more powerful, so I decided to pick some up to see for myself. I got a 445nm (blue) laser that came in a nice case and a 532nm (green) laser that did not come with a case. Both look the same, and both are marked as 5mW. ![[ebay_445_kit.jpg|600]] The 445nm kit came with a laser, batteries, charger, safety glasses, and some FX lenses. ![[ebay_modules.jpg|600]] On the left is the 445nm laser, and on the left is the 532nm laser. Can you tell the difference? ### The 445nm laser I got the 445 nm laser came about a week before the other laser; since styropyro gave the warning that these were possible class 4 lasers, I wore some OD5 blue-laser glasses. Good thing I did, because as soon as I turned it on, pointing at a postit on my desk, the postit started smoking. ![[ebay_445_postit.jpg]] It lit a match on fire right quick: ![[laser_match.gif|400]] A few days later, I got a [laser power meter](https://laserpointerstore.com/products/pocket-laser-power-meter). So how powerful is this “5mW” laser? ![[ebay_445_lpm.jpg|600]] It’s right about 1W! Definitely a Class 4, not a Class 3R, laser. ## The 532nm laser This one came later, and it’s also marketed as a 5mW laser. ![[ebay_532_lpm.jpg|600]] It’s 65mW, which puts it in the higher Class 3B range. As long as you don’t stare directly into the beam or catch a reflection, you are probably going to be okay.