Which one of us will be first to buy one of these?

[Holdfast]

"I will KILL things. With FIRE."

Damn, looks awesome. Fucking dangerous though.

 

[auntiehill]

Why do I see potential Darwin Awards just waiting to be "won?"

 

[Mistral]

Why do I see potential Darwin Awards just waiting to be "won?"

Yeah. This.

 

[Mary Ann]

Why do I see potential Darwin Awards just waiting to be "won?"

Yeah. This.

I can see an entire DA book based on this item. Let the cull of the stupid commence!

 

[Garak]

Amazingly dangerous but stunningly awesome. I want one.

 

[STR]

FYI: Lasers are regulated in the United States. It is illegal to import, manufacture, or use a laser with an output above 5mW (this 1W beam is 200 times higher than that) without permit, and as such is subject to seizure by US Customs or local law enforcement.

Permits are issued to the manufacturer by the FDA (you wouldn't think lasers would come under the aegis of FDA, would you?) and they require several specific safety features to be included in any final product.

 

[M'Sharak]

The manufacturer doesn't seem to suggest any practical application for this device, but they're very emphatic about how dangerous it is:

The Artic emits a 445nm cool blue, ultra high power 1W beam which appears up to 4000% brighter than the Sonar's 405nm violet beam. This direct blue laser diode is the result of the evolution of laser technology. Less than one year ago, this laser would have cost thousands of dollars to build. Don't let the Arctic name fool you, this laser possesses the most burning capabilities of any portable laser in existence. That's why it's also the most dangerous laser ever created.

[...]

Wicked Lasers responds by adding buyer requirements for Class 4 Portable Lasers.

Warning: Extremely dangerous is an understatement to 1W of laser power. At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversable 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 Acknowledgment Form.

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Spyder_III_Pro_Arctic_Series-96-37.html

 

[STR]

^That much concentrated high frequency (blue and UV) light can also cause cancer.

So yeah, hella dangerous, that's why it's hella regulated.

 

[gturner]

Oh come on. It's only one watt.

Instead why not use this nifty one from Northrop Grumman that puts out 19.2 KW?

 

[Mistral]

Oh come on. It's only one watt.

Instead why not use this nifty one from Northrop Grumman that puts out 19.2 KW?

Aye, now that's a knife!

 

[Smiley]

Here I thought they were making Spaceballs: The Flamethrower when I first saw the topic. That would be about as Darwin Award-worthy.