Re: [DS2] [SG2] Laser Ranging

Tom spake thusly upon matters weighty: 

But be damn careful not to hit anyone in the face (esp the eyes) with 
one. The retina is very sensitive to this kind of damage. I know the 
output power of these is in the low milliwatts, but the laser diode 
emits (roughly) one frequency of coherent light and that is VERY 
damaging (afaik) to the receptors in the eye. Near misses I've seen 
have caused people problems seeing for quite a while. So, if you want 
to range from ship to ship for firing arcs, make sure your downrange 
path is clear. Please also remember than light diffracts and splits 
in glass, crystal, and other transparent or translucent media - I've 
seen people shoot crystal chandeliers. Nice visual effect but damn 
dangerous as we now have ten or more beams of coherent light all 
focused in unpredictable directions. It's be a stupid way to suffer 
optic damage. 

Tom. 
<deactivates "mothering mode">

> Mikko Kurki-Suonio <maxxon@swob.dna.fi> wrote:
> 
> > Those pointers are, btw, very nice for determining LOS in a game. I
used
> > to use a small periscope, but I recently got a cheap keychain laser
> > pointer and it's great! Just hold it next to the firing figure and
try to
> > "lase" the target.
> 
>     I just bought one recently for just that purpose.  Also, they help
> determine firing arc in Full Thrust.	From the target just "lase" the
> firing ship's base and see which arc it is in.
> 
> Enjoy,
> Tom Granvold				<thomas.granvold@eng.sun.com>
> 
> 
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Thomas Barclay		     
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