Laser pointers?

**mbarnatl** · 01-02-2008, 02:07 PM

I was reading an article somewhere about the contents of their day pack. They carried a laser pointer with them for a signaling device. Claims can be seen line of sight for miles. I use one at night with my telescopes and can say you can see beam pretty far with it. I guess it would be good for a night emergency signal. Anyone carry one in their survival pack?

Another question: What color do you think would show up better? blue, green or red?

**Sarge47** · 01-02-2008, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by mbarnatl

Another question: What color do you think would show up better? blue, green or red?

Depends on if someone is color-blind.

**sh4d0wm4573ri7** · 01-02-2008, 02:41 PM

nope never really thought about that one hmm

**MCBushbaby** · 01-02-2008, 03:10 PM

Green is illegal because it uses a shorter wavelength which can blind people (likewise it's seen farther away, ergo military use). But let's be clear here, the only way you're going to signal with a dot the size of a pencil tip is if you have some superhuman aiming ability or you're shining the beam through a fog so they see the trail.

**Rick** · 01-02-2008, 03:58 PM

mbarnatl, I have one but hadn't considered it for survival. The one I have will display either a solid red light or a pulsing red light. I suppose the pulsing light would be the better of the two but , like Mitch, I think aiming it would be hit or miss. However, I can't see what it would hurt to have it on you, particularly for a night time rescue. It weighs next to nothing and if you were injured and couldn't build a fire then your flashlight or whistle would be the only other devices you could use at night.

**mbarnatl** · 01-02-2008, 04:33 PM

I know on a couple of incidents of people using them with telescopes accidentally catching a pilots attention when the beam crossed the flight path. The pilots had got the beam in the face as the did an approach to the Atlanta airport. They found the guy and arrested him. Later after they interviewed him... it was found that him and his son was using a telescope with a laser pointer in their backyard. I guess it could be used as a signaling device if you aimed it at a airplane... but may be dangerous to the rescue pilots.

**RobertRogers** · 01-03-2008, 08:27 PM

hummmm...interesting take on this...

**Rick** · 01-03-2008, 08:29 PM

I'm going to throw it the kit with me. My son and I are supposed to go out this week-end (if it doesn't pour rain) and I'll see what kind of trouble I can get into with it in the woods.

**RobertRogers** · 01-04-2008, 09:50 PM

Well they are fun, but maybe they are not good to point at people and animals, perhaps injure their eyes?

**Survivor30** · 01-05-2008, 12:25 AM

If your laser is strong enough I bet you can even start a fire. Oh, and your laser point will expand the farther it goes so I think it would be a little bigger than the head of a pencil...right

But I suppose it would fade out if your target is too far away.

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Heres the link:http://www.wickedlasers.com/

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From the site:

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**Cori** · 01-05-2008, 01:21 AM

Wouldn't red be the easiest to see?

**Rick** · 01-05-2008, 10:34 AM

So much for the test in post 8. It started raining this morning and is supposed to continue through tomorrow.

**Last Mohican** · 01-05-2008, 11:29 AM

I have always used my laser pointers to entertain my cat. It is hilarious watching her chase it around. I wonder how squirrels or rabits would react. A guy I used to work with would point it at the pigeons roosting in our shop and they would swoop down at him.