"Lasers"

[Tim Aslat]

Hi All,

As I am in the process of acquiring a feline, I'm tasked with the
problem of amusement of said feline.

Essentially, I'm looking for a source of cheap (legal) lasers to make a
laser cat amusement device to keep the aforementioned feline away from
the fish tank.

I'm wanting to order from dealextreme, but with current laws regarding
laser pointers (less than 1mW power) all of these offerings seem to be
2mW or greater.

Any ideas where to get some modules? Colour isn't a problem, red,
green, chartreuse are all viable options.

Cheers

Tim

--
Tim Aslat <t...@spyderweb.com.au>
Spyderweb Consulting
http://www.spyderweb.com.au
Mobile: +61 0401088479

[Ken]

oatleyelectronics?
http://oatleyelectronics.com/

Ken.

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[Jonathan Pearce]

ebay is populated with any number of $2 laser pointers from China - the innards are easy to cannibalise.

[Damien P]

On Apr 19, 2:00 pm, Tim Aslat <t...@spyderweb.com.au> wrote:
> Essentially, I'm looking for a source of cheap (legal) lasers to make a
> laser cat amusement device to keep the aforementioned feline away from
> the fish tank.

Add a webcam, and you have an instant internet sensation!

Jaycar used to sell a kit with two motors with mirrors on them, which
you could add a speed randomizer to so the point jumps around.

> I'm wanting to order from dealextreme, but with current laws regarding
> laser pointers (less than 1mW power) all of these offerings seem to be
> 2mW or greater.

Apparently only complete laser pointers are banned, but modules seem
to be OK. Even though DealExtreme sends the modules only, they won't
send them to Australia. I've considered asking them if they'll send
the modules on a "no refund" basis - that is, I won't demand a refund
if they're confiscated. On the other hand, you can be fined
$110000[1]...

1: www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/LaserPointers.pdf

[Robert Hart]

You could always join the Astronomical Society of South Australia as
members get a permit to use a laser pointer. Full Membership is only
$45 a year if you elect to receive an electronic copy of their bulletin.
http://www.assa.org.au/info/membership

[Thomas Sprinkmeier]

On 20 April 2011 11:43, Robert Hart <rob...@hardhack.org.au> wrote:
>  You could always join the Astronomical Society of South Australia as
> members get a permit to use a laser pointer.

Outlaw laser-pointers and only Astronomers will have laser-pointers!

Thomas

[Damien P]

On Apr 20, 11:17 am, Thomas Sprinkmeier <thomas.sprinkme...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> Outlaw laser-pointers and only Astronomers will have laser-pointers!

Because they'll *never* point them at the place where planes are...

[Tim Aslat]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think at this stage I'll just see what jaycar have on offer, since
it's already in the country and I don't have to worry about importing
and customs.

[Ken]

Check out the $2 shops too.

Ken.

[Tim Aslat]

In the immortal words of Ken on 04/20/11 13:00:

> Check out the $2 shops too.

I haven't seen any lasers in $2 shops for a while, only LED torches and
similar.

Mind you, I haven't checked every single one of them, just the ones near
me, so there's a reject shop, cheap as chips and the warehouse.

[Damien P]

On Apr 20, 12:30 pm, Tim Aslat <t...@spyderweb.com.au> wrote:
> In the immortal words of Ken  on 04/20/11 13:00:
>

> I haven't seen any lasers in $2 shops for a while, only LED torches and
> similar.

I remember seeing some at the Brickworks, but that was probably a year
ago. They were at a discount type stall in the big shed, at the place
nearest where the bumper boats were.

[alphie]

out of interest what is the idea here. Are you going to mount the
laser on some kind of gimble system so that is rotates to point
randomly at the ground ?

[Tim Aslat]

In the immortal words of alphie on 04/21/11 12:51:

> out of interest what is the idea here. Are you going to mount the
> laser on some kind of gimble system so that is rotates to point
> randomly at the ground ?

That's exactly what I had in mind, but with the idea of a motion sensor
as well so it only goes off when the cat is near it, and probably a
couple of other things to keep the cat amused.