The Gadgets Page

Matthew Strebe’s Review:

The SKYLaser 125mW high-powered green laser is a fairly large sized laser pointer that uses an extremely high power green laser. How powerful is it?

In my testing, it’s powerful enough to:

• Cause temporary blind spots (dazzling) from the reflection. Do not point it at reflective surfaces. The FDA certifies that it is not powerful enough to cause permanent eye damage.
• See the beam. Yes, you can see the beam indoors and outdoors at night, not just the spot.
• Point to items outdoors in broad daylight that are kilometers away.
• See the spot on low clouds.
• Point the beam to stars and other astronomy.
• Damage itself if used for more than 100 seconds per burst.
• Scare away that damned crow from the power pole outside my bedroom.

The big question a reviewer has to ask, especially when they like a gadget, is why someone would buy it. Now, there’s a significant portion of gadget’s page readers who don’t need a reason to buy a high-powered laser, they only to know where to get a matching shark. But for you practical folk, here are the legal uses I’ve come up with:

• Outdoor guides, scoutmasters, and birders who want to point out plants or wildlife in broad daylight.
• Astronomy buffs who want to dazzle other astronomy buffs with their ability to point out specific stars.
• Safely scaring away birds and wild or feral animals away from a distance.

I came up with a much longer list of illegal uses, but I won’t repeat those here.

To be frank, high-powered lasers are marketed to people who need a reason not to buy them, and if you’re in that group, this is definitely the laser for you.

The laser also has a low power mode for boring things like PowerPoint presentations. $299 from Skylasers.com.

Laura Moncur’s Review:

When Mike and I tested the SKYLaser high-powered green laser, we could only think of testing it with our cat. He he enjoyed it greatly, but we were scared of blinding him, so we only let him play a little bit.

This is a VERY bright laser. Not only can you see the laser point, you can see the beam.

Warning: This laser is freakishly bright and can put a burn mark on your eyes if you look at it too much. I’m not talking turning the laser on your eyes. If you look at the laser point on the wall, you will have an afterimage on your eyes for a LONG time (several hours). It also can burn your skin if it is held in one place too long. It’s intense enough to pop balloons.

It’s intense enough to melt a credit card.

Additionally, it is a Federal offense in the U.S. to shine a laser pointer like this at an aircraft and illegal to shine at drivers of cars in some states.

So BE CAREFUL!