[Ronja] Make Magazine: hacking DVD-burner lasers - works for RONJA?

[Karel Kulhavy]

On Thu, Aug 09, 2007 at 01:18:58AM -0600, Colin Stanners wrote:
> I saw in Make magazine 10 an article about modifying dvd-burner lasers
> to use as "laser pointers". These devices work at ~200mw and must have
> very impressive specs speed-wise to be able to burn DVDs... since
> a big problem for 10mbit RONJA is getting fast and inexpensive RX/TX
> hardware, would these work?

Well yes a 200mW laser diode would be technically fine. But you need quite
careful optical and mechanical setup to ensure eye safety even in case of
failure. Remember Ronja is operating in an open space.

But do you need to buy a DVD burner and smash it with a hammer?  Why not just
go to an electronic part store and buy just the 200mW diode?

> 
> Also a story just appeared on Slashdot about this, which reminded me to
> send you this message... they may have more details.

I didn't even watch the video. The guy is an idiot. If he hits someone's eye,
either directly or with an accidental reflection, the target gets a permanent
dead spot burned out in his retina. Then the damaged one sues his ass off and
Mr.  Laser goes to jail for permanent health damage. Someone should call the
police now because this is endangering the public health even if performed at
home - you can burn out an eye of a by-passer in the street through the window.
It's in the public health interest to have this guy arrested before someone
gets handicapped from this.

Next time slashdot could feature a mad gunman or a guy throwing grenades in the
street.

CL<

> 
> 
> -C