Can someone please explain why this exists?

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond) 09/04/2019 at 23:09 • Filed to: None

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Apart from my past rants on getting pointed by lasers while trying to land a passenger jet, I am actually wondering just what the point (he he) of high power laser pointers are. Objectively, I am wondering what the need for this is. The advert here says, “With so many practical uses....” while the user is lighting matches with the beam. While on approach to land at Austin a few weeks back I heard a report of a laser event to the north. Blue was the reported color. Blue? So I looked it up and jesus, they’re some strong lasers. Class IV for this one here. So I am asking...

Why? The people buying are hobbyists? Okay, but what are they doing with it? Lighting matches and popping balloons for YouTube videos? What are these practical uses? If It’s lab work, Well, I’m sure there’s lab quality lasers the department procures. These things are designed to look cool and be mobile in your pocket. Again, I just don’t understand why these science-fiction looking high power things exist, because this is well beyond pointers from the back of the auditorium. I know, I know these are the same sorts of questions people ask when attacking the gun owners, “Why do you need a .50 caliber sniper rifle?” etc. But I’m, again, not attacking the ability to get one. I’m just trying to understand why. I can’t think of a single reason to get one. They’re not unique or special or rare.

I’m not asking in criticism. I’m genuinely wondering what the whole point of spending $300 on a 2 watt pocket laser. What are the practical uses....

For Sweden > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:13

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The only practical purpose is to kill enemy pilots and flight crews. A laser is much cheaper than a MANPADS

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:17

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I don’t know. Maybe attach them to a sharks head?  That’s be kinda cool?!  

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:17

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I imagine there’s an overlap between high p ower laser buyers , RGB RAM owners , and Monster Energy fans.

facw > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:18

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I believe s ome are used for astronomy demonstrations (they are bright enough to point out stars at night, as long as there is some dust/vapor in the air to reflect off of). Most of them just exist because lasers are awesome though. I mean there are scientific applications, but places like universities, labs, and the National Ignition Facility are not too likely to be buying from shady internet sites. So yeah super bright lasers are awesome, but not really practical for many things.

subexpression > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:23

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I don’t know if that particular one would be appropriate, but in the past I have heard of people using powerful laser pointers to help others identify distant things at night, including amateur astronomy type objects . They’re bright/powerful enough for the dust in the air to reflect the light and give people a reference without having to all stand right over your shoulder and sight along your arm.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:42

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obviously its so you can make cats chase the little dot on the floor from the spacestation

astronauts get bored too you know

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Grindintosecond 09/04/2019 at 23:47

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Because humans are human...

For Sweden > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/05/2019 at 01:06

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But RGB RAM is good

My bird IS the word > Grindintosecond 09/05/2019 at 08:26

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Somehow using a laser powerful enough to burn things for a light show sounds like a bad idea.

My bird IS the word > For Sweden 09/05/2019 at 08:29

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Are military aircraft even vulnerable to this? That sounds like a major problem. Although trying to hit a fast mover sounds borderline impossible.

Something to keep in mind if the russians invade at least.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > For Sweden 09/05/2019 at 09:14

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MY PC DOESN’T NEED TO LOOK LIKE A RAVE

LilGary > Grindintosecond 09/05/2019 at 19:55

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Main Uses of Laser Pointers . Presentations. Laser Light Shows. Robotics & Research. Armed Forces. General Entertainment.

10 Alternative Uses for Laser Pointers . Visual Fault Locators. Light Painting. Warehouses. Entertaining Your Pets. Pesky Birds. Securing your home. Cleaning an aquarium. Going Camping. Starting Fires.

There you go. Lasers are used for more then you think.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Grindintosecond 09/10/2019 at 10:51

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Practically used for science, but I have no idea for joe blow.