Re: "Frickin' Laser Beams"

Hi Dan! I have a quick question for you from Jeffrey. He has a sculpture of an archer on his island which overlooks the sea and he wants to put a laser in its bow to have a laser beam going out from the bow across the sky. He wanted to see if you could recommend a good type of laser to use for this? I tried to do some research on lasers, but it's quite confusing! Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Happy to help.
I presume he wants to use this mostly around dusk...

What is the main objective of the entertainment? Magical effect? Something other?

What color or colors are you interested in?
Red is cheapest and most uninteresting; green most dramatic for the long beam that's visible... But more people have now become accustomed to it; blue and purple are the more extraordinary...

Most have never seen the more esoteric and lovely blue and purple.
The problem is blue and purple are most dramatic when you show the resulting beam when it is projected onto something... (The island across the way, for example.) Very cool... But the blue-purple beam through the air is harder to see than green.

The green beam is most dramatic and observable by glistening off dust, moisture, pollen, etc.) In NY, the atmosphere is so dirty, you can see the green laser clearly IN DAYLIGHT most days...and always at night. I'm not sure if St Jeff's atmosphere is as full of airborne particles...

How far do you want it seen?

Is there a "target" for the beam?

Would he like to preset a whole bunch of black balloons, for example, on the beach, and as the laser pans, it bursts one after another? Always fun, especially if the balloons are inflated with propane :)

When would it be shown and for how long?

Permanently installed?

How would you want it controlled?

I would be an idiot not to point out there is associated eye danger with all of these...directly proportional to the power and the type used. Especially if directly pointed in ones eyes, duh. Also, because of heightened hysteria, the beam has to be projected at an angle that won't seem to be targeting boats or airplanes... People get as nutty-fearful about such things that they like calling in "authorities" at the drop of a hat. Just mentioning... You can look up the numerous police reports if you wish and you'll see what I mean... Even for a fellow who owns his own island... If the ray projected even appears to be targeting a pilot, the FAA goes nuts..

(OF course, I have some that can burn serious holes...because laser manufacturing is an inexact science and some turn out more powerful than most. I used to have some guy going through hundreds to find the best which were much more powerful than the average.)

Hello Dan!
I have ordered ourselves a green laser per your suggestion, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to borrow a few others from you to test out next week while we are on site just to be sure he doesn't want something other than the green one?
Let me know if this is possible, and I promise to return them to you when we return to NY!

A) Suggest you test several different types of pen-type lasers as discussed below to see how the effect works in the Caribbean environment
B) Concerned that the atmospheric conditions may not have enough particulates to really get the most amazing effect... the more pollen, moisture, dust, crap in the air, the more amazing the beam looks...and the longer and cooler the beam goes.
C) Strongly suggest GREEN (about 200 mw... which is a little stronger than the standard laser pen <5mw! :) because the beam is beautiful.
D) Since you are also interested in projecting the laser onto other things... the other island... water..perhaps other things on the island etc... then the super powerful BLUE laser (which is a staggering 1 WATT) should also be in the mix.
E) The handheld lasers that would fit in the sculpture are not designed to have external power... they use batteries... and the more powerful blue laser only projects for perhaps 15 to 20 minutes before it needs to cool off. So figuring out how to power, control, and target the lasers is worth thinking about.

TESTING THE CONCEPT:
I could lend you an assortment of lasers to test out the effect before installation plans go further.

Alternatively, you can go online and purchase a few of these directly... there are two good sources that are reliable:

FOR THE BLUE LASER (and get the safety glasses, different lens kit, etc: WICKED LASERS: http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Spyder_III_Pro_Arctic_Series-96-37.html
They have other lasers... you want at least a green 200 mw or above...
Another source is (or was DEALEXTREME but I think they got in trouble selling lasers that exceeded the <5mw regulations.)

Happy to play.

Dan

thanks so much. what's the best way to get them from you?

I'm here on the Upper West Side on 83rd street. I need to show you how to work the super powerful blue laser.

There's a safety code. I have the rest of them and need to pull them out. I guess I could come by if need be.

sounds good. I can come first thing in the morning around 9/9:30am?

9:30 would be fine.

Between CPW and Columbus

great, see you then