Using green lasers for "be seen" bike lights [Archive]

Bushman

09-07-07, 06:29 PM

Hows about mounting a 532nm green laser on the front of the bike, pointing 1 degree downwards.....the effect would be a brilliant line of green way ahead of the bike, and would be low enough that it would'nt blind the drivers. This would be especially effective in rain, fog and heavy snow, as those conditions really highlight a laser beam.

thoughts? (please note i have already said ANGLED downwards 1 degree, so it WOULD NOT blind drivers..all they would see would be a long line of green)

http://www.wickedlasers.com/load_pic.php?t=p&f=e585cfad5379073504ff37bf0fe49631.jpg

this is what it would look like...

http://www.wickedlasers.com/load_pic.php?t=p&f=2e78e919e53f73137510375aab0bbba7.jpg
one could also use a red laser on the rear, again angled downwards slightly.

agarose2000

09-07-07, 07:32 PM

Whoa man...I don't know about that - looks wicked cool, but I think the driver's will be so fixated on your laser that they'll forget to brake in the process of getting a closer look...plus you'll probably get a lot of "community watch" phone calls to the cops about a new terrorist cell that's practicing on the street with new bike-laser guided rifles.

Neat idea though; would definitely get attention! What's wrong with a few bright back rear blinkers? The simple and cheap MARS blinker is really good in the dark; I use one, and when I see the occasional biker with that thing, I always think, "damn that's a nice rear blinker!"

edzo

09-07-07, 07:34 PM

nope. you will crest a hill someday and blind somebody

and if you stop you could melt something

agarose2000

09-07-07, 08:09 PM

But I do think they may work quite well in hellacious rain ...

Bushman

09-07-07, 09:02 PM

nope. you will crest a hill someday and blind somebody

and if you stop you could melt something

ok, hows about dropping the laser degree downwards some more, say to a point of about 5 feet in front of the bike? you would have to be pulling a pop a wheelie over the hill crest for someone to even be blinded....

AGArose, nothing wrong with blinkies, i have twin SHark 1 watts on the fornt, and a Dinotte red on the rear , I'm just thinking outside of the box.......i read an article on how the US military is using HUGE green lasers to light up vehicles , instead of searchlights, from over 10 miles away.

znomit

09-07-07, 10:59 PM

You would probably not see the line of green, just the spot on the ground.

The car drive would be thinking "WTF is that green spot" as he ploughs into you.

However...
Ive wondered if it would be useful to project a LINE onto the road about 20feet in front of the bike to highlight any objects you might run over... sort of like a contour line.
Just stick a glass rod in front of the laser to accomplish this.

divergence

09-07-07, 11:23 PM

ok, hows about dropping the laser degree downwards some more, say to a point of about 5 feet in front of the bike? you would have to be pulling a pop a wheelie over the hill crest for someone to even be blinded....
Still no good. When the beam hits any reflective object in the road -- broken piece of car mirror, metal bolt, or, to a lesser extent, glass fragments -- you'll have a pretty much full-strength beam pointed in a random direction.

Zero_Enigma

09-08-07, 12:35 AM

To the OP. I like this idea. However I would probably helmet mount the laser with a removeable strap so in the day time it does not look as dorky when you take it off. At night, no one really cares how the setup looks as they seem to focus on the light brightness and lights at a distance.

Being helmet mounted and pointed down on an angle for the OP's obvious reasons to not blind people I would think if the lasers on/off button was easy to work with gloves on and sensitive enough to work without fiddling around to turn it on you can tunr it on as you're approaching a intersection to sweep left and right before entering it then once you past the intersection turn it off so you 1. save power 2. I find it is excellent o use at intersections to beam that 'blind' rushing right turn lane on some streets that drivers come off the highway won't really see you.

Just an idea. Your mileage and tweaking may vary.

Bushman

09-08-07, 12:41 AM

^ ya i see what your getting at.....

Frankenbiker

09-08-07, 08:21 AM

It's an interesting idea. However, pilots have had their planes targeted by lasers and complained about being blinded. So, if an incident occurs in your town, even though you are simply an innocent rider, expect to attract attention by local law enforcement. Additionally, your state laws may require "approved" lighting on a bicycle. Once again, it will be attracting the attention of local law enforcement if a driver calls in to report being "blinded" by a cyclist with a laser and could result in a citation.

Halloween

09-08-07, 10:50 AM

Bushman

09-08-07, 12:38 PM

Bushman, no matter what these other naysayers say, I'd like to try out your idea...

So, could you give us some specs and sources for your green lasers?

Oh, yeah...

In the second photo, you seem to have lost your bicycle...

:D

I have'nt decided on a laser yet....(those are photos off of a site) my initial interest in green lasers was for Search & Rescue, to assist being located by pointing it straight up into the night sky, or by pointing to a landmark, vitcim etc (very clear line of line of sight). Some of the lasers out there are getting smaller and smaller, but are gettign brighter and brighter.....

then i though about using them for the bike

agarose2000

09-08-07, 07:40 PM

OOoohh...good idea about the search & rescue, if they're strong enough. That's a really intersting idea about having a line of sight back to your origin, although you'd probably need some airborne smoke or dew to have the beam visible.

Zero_Enigma

09-08-07, 08:23 PM

Check online. I've seen some 10 mW lasers that are day visable. However not sure what cells you need to power it and how long they last in stamina. I think DealExtreme.com has it.

Bushman

09-09-07, 02:14 AM

this is the unit i have been eyeing, visible for over 30 kms at night:

http://images.usatoday.com/money/_photos/2004/04/12/laser.jpg
https://greatlandlasers.com/index.php?howtheywork=yes

http://www.chinookmed.com/index.cfm/fa/product.display/Product_ID/1040/category_id/14/Green%20Rescue%20Laser%20Flare.cfm&CFID=12885756&CFTOKEN=23150600

or

https://greatlandlasers.com/index.php?faq=yes#

this is the effect i'm after:

http://www.dragonlasers.com/i/u/6050995/i/testimonials/001/001-02.JPG

TimothyF

09-20-07, 11:14 AM

this is the effect i'm after:

Thant's really amazing! Is that simulated? Where did that pic come from?

barndoor

09-20-07, 12:40 PM

I purchased one of those lasers a few months ago from www.z-bolt.com

It cost about $90.00 but it is one of the brightest lasers I've EVER seen...I think it'll go 25,000' or so....

You can't see the beam in broad daylight,only a dot, but at dusk and dawn the beam is clearly evident and at night is nothing short of spectacular. *pronounce last word ala Grant Peterson* :)

jeff-o

09-20-07, 01:04 PM

Bushman

09-20-07, 01:42 PM

this is the effect i'm after:

Thant's really amazing! Is that simulated? Where did that pic come from?

thats a laser in a snowstorm, pic form wicked lasers i do believe.

Bushman

09-20-07, 01:44 PM

Note that in a lot of these night shots, the beam effect is exaggerated due to the long exposure time. I don't think you'd have as much success in real life.

And yeah, I think that the danger of blinding oncoming (or even following) motorists is very high.

even my little red laser pointer has a very pronounced beam at night, esp in cool weather with moisture in the air.

jeff-o

09-20-07, 01:59 PM

even my little red laser pointer has a very pronounced beam at night, esp in cool weather with moisture in the air.

True, I have a red laser myself. But is that really more noticeable than a few Superflash blinkies?

mjzraz

09-25-07, 12:07 PM

jeff-o

09-25-07, 12:20 PM

I would like to see some photos in real life in a bike application - Can anyone with one of these lasers stick it on the bike temporarily and photograph it at dusk and at night with or without other lighting?

Looks cool to me - I would probably be more interested in a pair or rear downward facing red lasers to "paint" a buffer zone behind me, at an angle to maybe have the beam shine on the ground 6 feet behind me or so.

I've seen something like that done before, a down-pointing laser was used to draw a 4-foot line on the pavement about 12" to the left of the rider, as a sort of mobile bike lane. There was a picture and everything but I can't seem to find it now!

Zero_Enigma

09-25-07, 12:24 PM

Holy crap! That's $250 USD (assuming USD) for that laser. O_o;;

jeff-o

09-25-07, 01:40 PM

Holy crap! That's $250 USD (assuming USD) for that laser. O_o;;

The green one? Yeah, not cheap, either...

Photosmith

09-25-07, 01:41 PM

Just as an FYI, in many states bikes are considered vehicles, and as such need to comply with many of the same codes regarding usage of lighting on public roads. One of them is lighting colors. White is the only color of light permitted for front projected lights, amber is the only permitted color for front and side marker lights, and red is the only permitted rear color. A cop that wants to be a real stickler for the rules may bust you.

john bono

09-25-07, 02:18 PM

You know, given the right laser, I guess I'd pick one up, if Nashbar had a coupon for it:

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Tech/Beam/DeathStar3.jpg

TRaffic Jammer

09-25-07, 02:28 PM

AS cool as it is I know the police would be all over me if I were rocking LASERs as a light source.

Zero_Enigma

09-25-07, 06:24 PM

I think on the bike you should be ok if you pointed it downrange on an angle. On the helmet well, my ideal thought would have been on the helmet but on the bars I can see you talking your way out of that if you get any comments from the cops because the light is in a static position. On the helmet because the head moves while it's a good idea to sweep the intersection with the helmet laser the cops may think you can blind scare someone out or something.

If you mount that on the bike and have the laser shoot out about oh the whole or half the intersection make a jersey or shirt that says 'I'mma charging mah lazer!' (if you get the 4chan joke. If not read here (http://www.lurkmore.com/wiki/index.php?title=SHOOP_DA_WHOOP)) or with a shirt that says "WARNING: Big Fricking LAZER~!!".

akatsuki

09-26-07, 08:56 AM

I want to see pictures too!

"sharks with freakin laser beams!"

Sianelle

09-26-07, 09:06 PM

Forget the lazer I want a disruptor cannon. 'Eat this ya SUV gits....' ;)

aliensporebomb

09-27-07, 08:22 AM

Yikes. At $250 you may as well get an HID which at least is not going to attract attention from law enforcement (well, the local bike patrol covets them) as a potential targeting laser for weapons.

That picture in the snowstorm is amazing but I suspect at the price an HID or high powered LED light will get better results.

edzo

09-27-07, 12:50 PM

if I ever see anyone on a bike using a green laser I will punch them in the throat. they will blind somebody in a fraction of a second. so freaking uncool to even think about it. I am super cereal

9Rings

09-27-07, 02:40 PM

if I ever see anyone on a bike using a green laser I will punch them in the throat. they will blind somebody in a fraction of a second. so freaking uncool to even think about it. I am super cereal

I second this proposal.

A red laser pointer will piss someone off, even though it is a class 1 laser that is eye safe.

If I saw, or rather was "beamed" by someone with one of these superbright green lasers I would promptly
a) run him over with my car, then back up and do it again. If I were not in my car at the time, I would go home, get my car and hunt him down by following aforementioned green death star tracking device.
b) rip the laser off of his helmet/bike/darth vader costume, then blacken both of his eyes. I would then insert said laser to help illuminate a particular area of his anatomy where the sun does not shine.
c) stop to discuss the matter civily, but being sure to make my point I would, when he least suspected it, kick him in the crotch as if I were an NFL punter
d) all of the above

Skipper

09-27-07, 07:34 PM

Hey 9rings,
How much did you have to pay that 4th grader to come up with that tough guy rant?

9Rings

09-27-07, 10:32 PM

Hey 9rings,
How much did you have to pay that 4th grader to come up with that tough guy rant?

I didn't pay him anything.

I beat it out of him.

'kay?

Bushman

09-28-07, 12:19 AM

if I ever see anyone on a bike using a green laser I will punch them in the throat. they will blind somebody in a fraction of a second. so freaking uncool to even think about it. I am super cereal

well, TOUGH GUY! come on to Vancouver BC, Canada and punch me in the throat then. I live on Scotia St. (by the way..."super cereal"? i've heard this was the high fiber cereal from Kellogs, how is it?)

:rolleyes:

edzo

09-28-07, 07:35 AM

well, TOUGH GUY! come on to Vancouver BC, Canada and punch me in the throat then. I live on Scotia St. (by the way..."super cereal"? i've heard this was the high fiber cereal from Kellogs, how is it?)

:rolleyes:

funny, good timing... I am on packed and on the way now

I'll be there for 8 weeks. and now, i will be riding all friggin night. shine your laser
skyward, I'll find you. sept 30th I'll be there. 8 weeks, lets rumble

andygates

09-28-07, 07:44 AM

Why not point the laser straight up? That would give an effect like the one you get in games pinpointing another racer's location without blinding anything but witches.

Bushman

09-28-07, 08:03 AM

because then i wouldn't get internet threats to my safety, and that just ruins the fun i'm about to have with the person who has threatened me. :)

9Rings

09-28-07, 10:14 AM

Sweetness!

please post lightsaber death match on Youtube after you get it sorted out.

Bushman

09-28-07, 09:14 PM

i plan to make light saber sound effects while filming.....vvvvooooooo vvvvooooooo vvoooooooooooo

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/emprs_palpatine/smilies/fight1.gif

tzracer

10-02-07, 06:59 PM

Lasers are not meant to be used as lighting devices. The green lasers on the web site are class 3B lasers. These are capable of instantaneous ocular damage. It is illegal to shine such a laser in public. If you shine it in the sky, the FAA may pay you a visit.

I have 14 years experience using industrial lasers (mostly high power CO2). I am currently an LSO (laser safety officer) at a company that I work at part time.

Bushman

10-04-07, 05:59 PM

thank you for the laser edumacation. Its pretty much the same as i got from the laser safety course at UBC.

as for enforcement...who? who is going to enforce it? the police and bylaws people here in Canada dont even enforce the traffic laws, let alone cycling bylaws, hell they dont even enforce jaywalking or not having lights or a helmet, or driving drunk or riding drunk. They sure are not gonna care about a keychain laser on a bike.

BTW, i'm still waiting for the Tough Guy to come to vancouver and punch me in the throat.

tzracer

10-04-07, 08:41 PM

Not sure who would enforce the laws in Canada. In the US it may very well be The FDA (yes the food and drug adm) - they regulate radiation emitting devices including cell phones, lasers, microwaves, tanning equipment - see http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhealth/products/bytopic.html.

So I guess in Canada you would have to find out what agency regulates radiation emitting devices.

Found this on the FDA site :

FDA is currently working to identify manufacturers of overpowered green laser pointers and other illegal lasers, and is taking action to prevent these unsafe products from being sold in the United States.

From http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhealth/products/laserfaq.html

Bushman

10-04-07, 08:47 PM

2manybikes

10-04-07, 09:16 PM

my idea was to mount the laser facing DOWN at a steep angle, painting a beam towards the ground. So unless your the type of pedestrian that lies on their back on the gorund and looks towards the light, i cant see ANY safety issue with this.

What about reflecting up and forward on water in a puddle, wet pavement, something like glass, a sliver can, etc, on the road? Or ridng your bike over the crest of a very steep hill? Or just bumping the light and changing the aim? No one will ever touch your bike at any time in your life besides you? What if your bike falls over and points the light up? What if you crash and the light points up?

9Rings

10-04-07, 11:08 PM

domt get me wrong, i hear you on the safety issues (eyes) but as for the enforcement issue.....sorry...aint gonna happen (here anyways)...i'm not kidding when i say there is ZERO enforcement on traffic and cyclists here in vancouver. 20+ years of cycling in vancouver and i have YET to be stopped for anything..

my idea was to mount the laser facing DOWN at a steep angle, painting a beam towards the ground. So unless your the type of pedestrian that lies on their back on the gorund and looks towards the light, i cant see ANY safety issue with this.

BTW to "tough guys" , after the rumble, lets go for brews at The Main, cheap pitchers of 6% alkyhol content beer!!!

Basically, it's a poor idea to begin with.

The only time it would give the effect you are looking for would be in fog or snow, as shown by the pics you posted earlier for the laser. If it is clear out, you won't see anything but a green spot on the ground. Any other type of lights would be much more impressive as far as getting noticed goes.

Halloween

10-05-07, 11:39 AM

What about reflecting up and forward on water in a puddle, wet pavement, something like glass, a sliver can, etc, on the road? Or ridng your bike over the crest of a very steep hill? Or just bumping the light and changing the aim? No one will ever touch your bike at any time in your life besides you? What if your bike falls over and points the light up? What if you crash and the light points up?

Don't worry...

He doesn't even have a bicycle, see?
http://tinyurl.com/yuytoc