About "Wicked Lasers"
James Watkins
http://www.wickedlasers.com/index.php ? I am considering purchasing one of
their 55mW lasers but I am cautious about doing business over the internet
with a company I am unfamiliar with. If anyone has had experience with
them, could you please advise? Also I am wondering about their method of
shipment. Do you need to be present when the unit is delivered to sign for
it or not? Any info would be helpful.
Thanks,
--Jim
Kevin Criqui
I bought 4 "40mW" pointers from them last year to give to friends for
xmas. Despite a 7 day delivery guarantee, they took over a month to
arrive (too late for xmas) and when I checked them out, they produced
40mW for about 2 seconds and then dropped to 15mW. I complained, but
was told that that was normal and what did I expect from a pointer
anyway? I had to file a claim with my credit card company to get a
partial refund and another claim to get the rest. It was a colossal
waste of time and money.
Kevin
Skywise
news:pT5Ze.1422$9E2...@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com:
What they are selling is illegal in the US. Laser pointers are
limited to <5mw. This company is overseas and customs is aware
of the issue and has been confiscating the pointers at the port
of entry. If you buy one you run the risk of not getting your
pointer.
Then there's the problems that Kevin described.
My recommendation is if you want a super bright laser pointer
is to buy a legal one and mod it yourself. Also, if you do
mod a pointer, please don't use it in public showing it off
to your friends, etc... There's enough problems with regular
and hopped up pointers and people with no brains as it is.
I'm not implying you have no brains. Just be careful. For
example, some idiots have thought it a good idea to point
these at aircraft. The problem is that due to a few idiots
there has been a backlash and what you think might be innocent
fun could land you in a heap of trouble.
Otherwise, have fun!
Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Seismic FAQ: http://www.skywise711.com/SeismicFAQ/SeismicFAQ.html
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
DID NOT NEED TO SIGN FOR IT. LASER WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE.
I AM SURPRISED AT THE PROBLEMS OTHERS MAY HAVE HAD.
I MAY OF BEEN LUCKY !
ZENMAN .. LEICESTER/UK
On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 21:35:20 -0000, Skywise
<in...@oblivion.nothing.com> wrote:
Fleetie
> DID NOT NEED TO SIGN FOR IT. LASER WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE.
> I AM SURPRISED AT THE PROBLEMS OTHERS MAY HAVE HAD.
> I MAY OF BEEN LUCKY !
>
> ZENMAN .. LEICESTER/UK
AKA "WickedLaser"?
We we may "of" been wrong to think WickedLaser was a useless spamming loser.
Skywise
<zen.p...@ntlworld.com> wrote in news:mbncj11ohjg9ct5b50sdeiphmvi2t7edkj@
4ax.com:
<Snipola>
THERE'S NO NEED TO YELL!
In other words, typing in all capitol letters is interpreted
as yelling. Please turn off 'caps lock' on your keyboard.
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
Sorry ! Is this any better.
PS I hope you are not in envy of 'Wicked's' apparent success with
their laser sales.
Cheers Hey !!
Skywise
>
> Sorry ! Is this any better.
>
> PS I hope you are not in envy of 'Wicked's' apparent success with
> their laser sales.
Why would I be envious of a company knowingly selling products
that are illegal, potentially dangerous to the unaware, and
have a bad reputation?
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
safety shouldn't really be recommending persons to 'Mod' their lasers
and thus making them both illegal and dangerous !!
Cheers Hey !!
ar50...@gmail.com
Imbecile...
Skywise
> I don't know but someone with such a concern for both legality and
> safety shouldn't really be recommending persons to 'Mod' their lasers
> and thus making them both illegal and dangerous !!
<Snipola>
There is nothing illegal about modifying a laser for personal
private (non public display use). Basically, what you do with
a laser in your own basement is of no concern to the authorities,
except maybe if you're playing with a multi-kilowatt copper vapor
laser and yellow cake.
Where they do get involved is in the public display and/or sale
of lasers, especially if they have been modified from original
specifications. This includes, but is not limited to selling
laser pointers above 5mw - whether modified to be that way or
made that way - and using said laser pointers around other people
in a public place.
Before you stick your foot in your mouth agian, I suggest educating
yourself about the law regarding lasers by starting here:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=
1040.10
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=
1040.11
If those links wrap and you're too lazy to cut & paste, use these:
http://tinyurl.com/6ughx
http://tinyurl.com/8ak88
zom...@comcast.net
statement is false, specifically...
"and using said laser pointers around other people in a public place."
Steve
Skywise
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:
Any laser used in public display over 5mw requires a variance.
A laser pointer over 5mw shown off, say in a theatre before the
show starts, is technically public display, and requires a
variance for operation and is to be removed from the public in
distance such that the public cannot come into contact with the
beam. Kinda hard to do with a hand held device, eh?
Also, any laser over 5mw used in public display requires certain
safety features to be legal, among them a key switch and a delay
before beam emission. A modified laser pointer does not comply
with those requirements.
But I know there's several regulars in this group involved in
laser shows that know the regs better than I do. If I'm wrong
I'm sure they'd be more than happy to correct me.
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
built pointer.and someone using a modified 'suped up !' pointer.
Assuming that neither is used in public.
I am responsible when using my laser. I do not, and would not, even
consider pointing it at people animals or aircraft. And generally
speaking only ever use it at home when the house is empty. I always
make sure that no stray beams can exit through any windows etc.
Thanks for the links.
Cheers ! The Imbecile !
PS Laser pointers will be the last thing you will all be needing to
worry about soon. Check out www.infowars.com
Am very busy now, so as much as I've enjoyed this little banter I must
go now !
On Tues, 27 Sep 2005 19:13:29 -0000, Sky wise
Skywise
> So what's the difference between myself using an unmodified purpose
> built pointer.and someone using a modified 'suped up !' pointer.
> Assuming that neither is used in public.
> I am responsible when using my laser. I do not, and would not, even
> consider pointing it at people animals or aircraft. And generally
> speaking only ever use it at home when the house is empty. I always
> make sure that no stray beams can exit through any windows etc.
As I understand it, those regulations only cover what is done
publicly and for the sales of lasers.
By public, it's generally meant the 'general public', like you'd
find in any crowd of people you don't know.
If you toy with the laser by yourself in a private area where the
general public can not access, you're in the clear. You can even
invite friends over as that woudl be considered controlled or
private access. In other words, som Joe can't just walk in off the
street unexpected and get zapped in the eye with the laser.
Also, things change when you start charging to see the laser. Then
it's considered a show or demonstration laser and becomes regulated
again.
> Thanks for the links.
No problem. It's best to read from the source. All of what I'm
saying is based on my understanding of those regs and having asked
questions in this group. Like I said in another post in this thread,
I know there's regulars in this group who are much more familiar
with the regs because of the business they're in. I'd be happy to
be corrected by them if I'm misinterpreting anything.
> PS Laser pointers will be the last thing you will all be needing to
> worry about soon. Check out www.infowars.com
<Snipola>
Check out http://www.skywise711.com/Skeptic/WPBWT/index.html
zom...@comcast.net
time back.
Skywise
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> The regs apply when there is commerce involved. This was discussed some
> time back.
Reference please? Preferably from the regs themselves.
CHEERS HEY ! ........ZEN MAN...SAYS ... EVERYTHING ZEN !
reply to your original email, attacking my apparent ignorance in 'Net
etiquette. I know I am going to be quite busy the next few days or
weeks and may not be able to follow this thread. But I appreciate the
entertainment value of our 'banter' and have learnt a lot from it.
And also about the battle of 'Egos' between human beings including
myself. I put forward the 'Infowars' link as purely entertainment and
thought provoking stimulus. But it is normal human thinking to want to
feel that '' I am right '' ''You are wrong'' so to speak. I if I am
honest I feel that way often and I am sure everybody else does too at
sometime or other. The majority of us prefer secretly to always be
right !
Thanks for the link it was thought provoking but does not make
you right. There will always be an argument for every statement and in
life itself an opposite for every conceivable emotion feeling
experience thought etc etc
Everything Zen !
Skywise
> Please forgive me if I have seemed to be overtly aggressive in my
> reply to your original email, attacking my apparent ignorance in 'Net
> etiquette.
An attack? Sorry if it sounded that way but I was simply letting
you know what is generally considered acceptable posting style
online.
BTW, anothing thing you might want to do is to not top post. That
is, your reply should be below the quoted text or inline like I
am doing. It just simply makes things easier to read.
This is not an attack, just friendly advice.
> I know I am going to be quite busy the next few days or
> weeks and may not be able to follow this thread. But I appreciate the
> entertainment value of our 'banter' and have learnt a lot from it.
> And also about the battle of 'Egos' between human beings including
> myself.
> I put forward the 'Infowars' link as purely entertainment and
> thought provoking stimulus. But it is normal human thinking to want to
> feel that '' I am right '' ''You are wrong'' so to speak. I if I am
> honest I feel that way often and I am sure everybody else does too at
> sometime or other. The majority of us prefer secretly to always be
> right !
I find it interesting that I always get a response similar to yours
whenever I try to inject a little critical thinking and logic into a
topic.
For one thing, I am not always right and I do not know everything. I
have never claimed such and I never will. But somehow people always
assume this. I try never to take offense at that but rather consider
it a simple misunderstanding on the part of the other person.
The information at the link I provided is meant simply as one tool to
keep one from deluding ones self. You may find it interesting to know
that I used to be a 'believer' in many things. I have bookshelves
full of books on UFO's, crystal powers, vanished civilizations, the
Bermuda Triangle, etc... I 'believed' in this stuff because I was
young and naive. I didn't know any better and was gullible enough
to 'believe' that if someone wrote it, it must be true.
But then I started to notice a trend. The stuff I was reading started
not making sense. I started to notice all these 'authorities' were
contradicting each other. I started to read things that I knew were
flat out false - mainly due to my expanding sphere of knowledge.
For example, I started to noticed that all the pictures that purport
to show UFO's were either blurry beyond recognition (meaning there
was no way to know what it was) or were quite easily recognized as
something else, or were obvious fakes.
Another example is I have since realized that many of the strange
lights I've seen in the night sky were nothing more than satellites
passing overhead. Satellite watching is a hobby of sorts for me now.
I don't 'believe' anymore, but I still find many of the topics
fascinating. But I apply the methods of critical thinking and
skepticism to help me determine what is reality and what is just
feel good fantasy.
Now, I picked on UFO's as but a mere example. The situation applies
to many of the so called fringe topics. When people are confronted
by things they simply are not aware of or do not understand, it is
natural to try to come up with an explanation within the bounds of
their knowledge. But when a person expands their knowledge and uses
a little critical thinking, many of these mysteries simply vanish.
The hard part is teaching people the cold hard facts in light of
what they 'believe' to be true. No one likes their bubble burst.
Which would you rather have, to 'believe' that the sky is blue,
or to know for a fact that it's actually violet.
> Thanks for the link it was thought provoking but does not make
> you right. There will always be an argument for every statement and in
> life itself an opposite for every conceivable emotion feeling
> experience thought etc etc
>
> Everything Zen !
<Snipola of quoted previous posts>
Skywise
> Please forgive me if I have seemed to be overtly aggressive in my
> reply to your original email, attacking my apparent ignorance in 'Net
> etiquette.
An attack? Sorry if it sounded that way but I was simply letting
you know what is generally considered acceptable posting style
online.
BTW, another thing you might want to do is to not top post. That
is, your reply should be below the quoted text or inline like I
am doing. It just simply makes things easier to read.
This is not an 'attack', just friendly advice.
> I know I am going to be quite busy the next few days or
> weeks and may not be able to follow this thread. But I appreciate the
> entertainment value of our 'banter' and have learnt a lot from it.
> And also about the battle of 'Egos' between human beings including
> myself. I put forward the 'Infowars' link as purely entertainment and
> thought provoking stimulus. But it is normal human thinking to want to
> feel that '' I am right '' ''You are wrong'' so to speak. I if I am
> honest I feel that way often and I am sure everybody else does too at
> sometime or other. The majority of us prefer secretly to always be
> right !
>
> Thanks for the link it was thought provoking but does not make
> you right. There will always be an argument for every statement and in
> life itself an opposite for every conceivable emotion feeling
> experience thought etc etc
You have much to learn, grasshopper. I suggest rereading the page
I referenced. Then rereading it again. There is no "I am right/you
are wrong" ego thing going on here. I'd be glad to discuss this
in private email if you'd like. My address is on my wesbite.
> Everything Zen !
<Snipola of quoted posts>
James Watkins
business with Wicked Lasers. Over all, I am quite satisfied with my
purchase. I placed an order for the 55mW laser. There was a shipping
mistake (they shipped it to the wrong address). In an effort to make good
on the delay caused by their mistake, they upgraded my order to a 70mW unit
at no additional charge. Fifteen days from the time I placed my original
order, I received it. It came via UPS and did not require a signature.
During this time, I corresponded via email with them approximately four
times and each of my emails were answered the same day I sent them. There
were no issues with Customs and the laser performs as advertised. I am in
Los Angeles, CA. So, the only thing I could be critical about is that it
took a little longer to get than expected, but since they sent me a higher
powered unit, I am very satisfied. I have no problem recommending them.
--Jim
"James Watkins" <vanilla...@excite.com> wrote in message
news:pT5Ze.1422$9E2...@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
Skywise
> I can now answer my own question for anyone else who is considering
> doing business with Wicked Lasers. Over all, I am quite satisfied with
> my purchase. I placed an order for the 55mW laser. There was a
> shipping mistake (they shipped it to the wrong address). In an effort
> to make good on the delay caused by their mistake, they upgraded my
> order to a 70mW unit at no additional charge. Fifteen days from the
> time I placed my original order, I received it. It came via UPS and did
> not require a signature. During this time, I corresponded via email with
> them approximately four times and each of my emails were answered the
> same day I sent them. There were no issues with Customs and the laser
> performs as advertised. I am in Los Angeles, CA. So, the only thing I
> could be critical about is that it took a little longer to get than
> expected, but since they sent me a higher powered unit, I am very
> satisfied. I have no problem recommending them.
>
> --Jim
<Snipola>
I'm curious, how was the item declared on the customs label?
spam@frontiernet.net C what I mean
having to scroll all the way to the bottom to read a replay very annoying.
If I didn't follow a thread and I want to read it all.. I can start at the
bottom.. if I follow it on a regular basis I want to just open the replay
and read it without the scrolling..
Now of course that doesn't make me wrong or right.... I don't know who ever
came up with the "etiquette" stuff for news groups.. but that had to start
out as someone's opinion.. and every has followed it like sheep ever
since...
Actually.. I am right... I am always right!!! Bwooohaa haaaaa... !!!!!!
Ok... Just playin... (but I do like top posing better!)
"Skywise" <in...@oblivion.nothing.com> wrote in message
news:11ju3hp...@corp.supernews.com...
James Sweet
"C what I mean" <no sp...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:1CQ%e.363$647...@news01.roc.ny...
> Skywise.. I personally like top posting! Some people hate it but I find
> having to scroll all the way to the bottom to read a replay very annoying.
> If I didn't follow a thread and I want to read it all.. I can start at the
> bottom.. if I follow it on a regular basis I want to just open the replay
> and read it without the scrolling..
>
> Now of course that doesn't make me wrong or right.... I don't know who
ever
> came up with the "etiquette" stuff for news groups.. but that had to start
> out as someone's opinion.. and every has followed it like sheep ever
> since...
>
> Actually.. I am right... I am always right!!! Bwooohaa haaaaa... !!!!!!
>
> Ok... Just playin... (but I do like top posing better!)
>
Personally I find someone bitching about someone's posting style to be much
more annoying than the posting style itself. Which style I prefer depends on
the nature of the post but either one is easy enough to deal with and a
whole lot nicer than the grammar police nerds.
Skywise
news:NAW%e.8976$UD6.4482@trnddc04:
> Personally I find someone bitching about someone's posting style to be
> much more annoying than the posting style itself. Which style I prefer
> depends on the nature of the post but either one is easy enough to deal
> with and a whole lot nicer than the grammar police nerds.
I'd hardly consider my messages 'bitching'. I expressed myself
politely and even clarified it with the phrase "friendly advice."
If you consider friendly advice 'bitching', that's your problem.
In the mean time I guess I'll stop trying to help people anymore
since it's so fucking unappreciated.
Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Seismic FAQ: http://www.skywise711.com/SeismicFAQ/SeismicFAQ.html
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? Supernews Sucks!
James Sweet
>
> I'd hardly consider my messages 'bitching'. I expressed myself
> politely and even clarified it with the phrase "friendly advice."
> If you consider friendly advice 'bitching', that's your problem.
>
> In the mean time I guess I'll stop trying to help people anymore
> since it's so fucking unappreciated.
>
I wasn't referring to you specifically, I haven't even been following this
thread, I just stumbled upon the end of what was apparently an argument.
Skywise
@trnddc04:
Well, I didn't know who else you could be referring to since it was
I that was giving the 'friendly advice' about posting form.
Apologies for the language. I've been having a really bad time online
lately, for various reasons.
Skywise
@corp.supernews.com:
> zom...@comcast.net wrote in news:1128029705.059714.320460
> @g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
>> The regs apply when there is commerce involved. This was discussed some
>> time back.
>
> Reference please? Preferably from the regs themselves.
>
> Brian
The silence is telling....
Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Seismic FAQ: http://www.skywise711.com/SeismicFAQ/SeismicFAQ.html
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? Supernews Sucks!
Christoph Bollig
just look very bright?
Christoph
--
Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
With most programs "Reply" should do the job.
James Watkins
for more than about a second. It is very, very bright. It does melt black
electrical tape and it will pop a red balloon at 4 feet. I have no way of
measuring the power, but it's way more than enough as far as I am concerned.
Very cool and potentially dangerous.
--Jim
"Christoph Bollig" <laser...@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:mkn9k1h4d0138p8jl...@4ax.com...
Skywise
> The dot when pointed at a white wall is so bright that I can't look at
> it for more than about a second. It is very, very bright. It does melt
> black electrical tape and it will pop a red balloon at 4 feet. I have
> no way of measuring the power, but it's way more than enough as far as I
> am concerned. Very cool and potentially dangerous.
>
> --Jim
Perhaps my post didn't get through to your server, but I had asked
earlier how the laser was declared on the customs label. There seemed
to be some question about them misdeclaring items and you might be
able to clarify that.
James Watkins
any customs problems (for myself or anyone else) with future orders so I
will not say specifically what it was declared as. I don't need an
overbearing government to protect me from myself, but that's another
subject.
--Jim
"Skywise" <in...@oblivion.nothing.com> wrote in message
news:11kdl14...@corp.supernews.com...
ar50...@gmail.com
what it is
You would crap your pants if you knew what the fine is for this illegal
activity.
Sam Goldwasser
I hear the weather in Cuba is rather nice these days. :)
--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html
Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.
Skywise
$Zs3....@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net:
> Yes it was declared as something different than what it is. I don't want
> any customs problems (for myself or anyone else) with future orders so I
> will not say specifically what it was declared as. I don't need an
> overbearing government to protect me from myself, but that's another
> subject.
>
> --Jim
Well, I'm not gonna rat on anyone for this, I was just curious is all.