Quote:
Originally Posted by Reignman
You Imagine, or you know? I mean I can pull things from my ass as well if you like.
Some companies actually care about their products and put a lot of time and effort into them.
The G&P Dbal is an amazing little box and is no slouch.
I'm not here to bicker over who's QC is better. I just need some facts on this IR laser.
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I think what people are trying to say is that because these devices are made in China, for a market that does not necessarily have any quality control standards. There is a huge difference between Apple bringing down the wrath of the late Steve Jobs because Foxconn tried cutting corners and between an Airsoft manufacturer wanting to save some money on is essentially a novelty product and having no idea that it makes the device more dangerous. They might be buying bargain bin diodes (which there is an abundance of) or they might be buying quality diodes to make a quality product. We have no idea if either is the case.
We also have the problem that G&P has not stated their goal is to create an eye safe laser box.
Many IR laser diodes come from the need to make Green lasers. To get a green laser you need to have a significantly more powerful IR laser and do some weird crap with crystals and... I don't hang out on laser forums. All I know is that to get an output of something in the range of a 5-10 mw Green laser, you need to pump out 30-50mw of IR. While using those diodes in their product is still a possibility, it's also unlikely. There are also a number of readily accessible IR diodes ranging from 1mw and way up. Simple turning over of rocks on Alibaba and eBay show that. Class 1 IR laser diodes are hard as hell to find.
Secondly, the class 1 laser phenomena is a relatively new thing in the United States. They flooded the market ever since PEQ-15's started being confiscated from people. While the general knowledge did exist for companies it was not public knowledge to most American shooters until companies started offering Class 1 laser products to the civi market. Many shooters were either using PEQ's(using them on low power mode to conserve battery) or China lasers they picked up. The likelihood of G&P having the knowledge and foresight to make the eye safe distinction between visible and IR lasers is very unlikely since this product existed before a time where it was plastered over every shooting website. There are still many people who believe a 5mw IR laser is eye safe because a red one at that output is.
What this means is that there are enough circumstances where there is a very good likelihood these devices are unsafe. This is not a failure on G&P's part and they could still very well stand by their product if this information is certified and made public. They created a high quality, working replica. It has an IR Laser, IR Illuminator, and a Visible laser - all functioning with a low failure rate.
My problem with this unit has been the lack of knowledge on the subject. Back when I was getting into Night Vision I had plans to purchase this unit not knowing the dangers of IR laser exposure. Luckily for me I was educated by other members of the community and thankful for it. With more and more people getting into the night vision game I see this device popping up more and more. If you want to use cheap China eyepro and risk your eyes? Fine. Awesome. Thats your risk, your fault if you get injured. If you want to use a device that might have the potential to cause other person harm and they would have absolutely no idea that it happened or even when? That sucks.
I won't be allowing this device at any of my events or events I have any sort of involvement in organizing until there have been thorough tests and a statement from G&P they use a consistent, reliable source for their diodes. Until G&P makes a version that they state is eye safe and stating the exact metrics of the unit I will feel uneasy every time I see one on the field.
If you have 3 grand to blow on a PVS-14 you have 500 bucks to blow getting something that is safe for the people on the receiving end of your invisible dot. Don't cheap out especially since you won't be the one with vision loss.