Blue Blocker sunglasses for 405nm

[Kage]

I've been experimenting with some sunglasses using "Blue BlocK" lenses which appear to almost completely eliminate 405nm. They are widely available on ebay for less than 1/2 the cost of laser shades.

Has anyone else tried these and can verify this? According to the little graph printed on a card that comes with them, they may also work up to up to 500nm, which would cover DPSS blue as well, but I don't have one of those to test with.

 

[Glaserfan]

The only complaint I have seen among "Those in the know" here at the site is that non-"laser shade" type glasses usually do not hold up to a direct hit from a laser.

I also have varoius sunglasses around here that almost completely stop the light from my bluray, and I have held the laser right on the same spot on them for over 10 seconds with no damage...to me they do quite a nice job. I don't suffer from any eye strain when looking at the dot up close while wearing them, either.

I am NOT an expert in the area of protective glasses though, so take what I say here as opinion only.

 

[photongeek]

That's a very good question as I too have been trying a pair of these. If anyone can put in their two cents, it's appreciated.

 

[photongeek]

The only complaint I have seen among "Those in the know" here at the site is that non-"laser shade" type glasses usually do not hold up to a direct hit from a laser.

This is another reason for everyone to get in on the dedicated 405 goggle GB

 

[thesk8nmidget]

ahh yes please do join my group buy.

these may do the trick quite well but its also good to have the extra protection like the laser wave goggles they have plastic flaps that cover any of the gaps of your face so you lower the risk of getting a beam under the glasses into your eye

 

[Kage]

Thanks for the comments!

I get the following results from my LPM (thermo pile type) with the bluray set to about 125mW:

Wicked Laser shades for 532nm - about 1mW

Optronics 532nm - undetectable with 1mW resolution

Blue blocker sunglasses - undetectable with 1mW resolution

None of the lenses showed signs of deterioration after several seconds (not fully focused of course).

The sunglasses I have are the clip-on type that are oversized and really do a good job when used with my regular eyeglasses. Many of the laser shades I have are a real pain to use with my eyeglasses; some leave serious gaps around the nose part.

Like Glaserfan said - I am no expert, and this is just my opinion, so try these at your own risk! On the other hand, it doesn't seem like rocket science, and any kind of protection is better than nothing for those that are having trouble affording the more expensive goggles - again - just my opinion.

 

[FrothyChimp]

I am an expert and I once again state for the record: If you cannot afford the safety equipment you should not be in this hobby. I'm sorry but I'm calling a spade a spade. If you operate laser systems without eye protection you are stupid. You can cry or moan about how I've insulted you but facts are facts.

Some protection is WORSE than no protection when it comes to using sunglasses because you have no idea what the attenuation is for the lens, nor do you have any idea what energy density the lens will sustain. If you purchase good quality sunglasses they MAY follow the ANSI Z80.3 standards. If you read the standard, there is no obligation for the manufacturer to attenuate any particular wavelength to any particular degree with the exception of diffuse UVA and/or UVB depending on the design and intended use of the eyewear. You may find that a top end sun glass manufacturer follows the ANSI Z87 standard for protective glasses that shield from UV for laboratory exposure such as for electrophoresis, equipment sterilization, etc., and industrial exposure for welding, etc.

The standard for laser protective eyewear is ANSI Z136. If your eyewear does not meet this standard or the equivalent Canadian (CSA) or European (CE) standard then your eyewear is garbage as far as I am concerned. You take your eyesight into your own hands. Blasting your eye is not like getting a laceration or abrasion. It doesn't heal. Destroying portions of your retina is permanent. Nerve tissue does not regenerate, ever.

One thing I keep seeing regenerate, however, is false hope or more specifically cheap hope.

 

[Kage]

Thanks, FrothyChimp, I was hoping to get some expert point(s) of view here!

 

[laserwanabe]

Hey, frothy don't you think all lasers should have the line "Though required before and during operation"