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http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
Intro: Long Distance Laser Night Vision Flashlight
There are many infrared LED night vision Instructables but their biggest shortcoming is a lack of distance. The range is limited to about 5 metres or so.
This Instructable uses an infrared laser to massively increase the range up to 100m (300 feet) or more.
Here are some dos and don'ts that MUST be followed if you attempt this project. I take no responsibility for any injuries!
DO wear proper protective laser goggles when testing. Make sure they filter the wavelength used by your laser and are in good condition. Yes they are expensive but
your eyes are even more so.
DO disable the laser when not using it: turn off, use key lock if it has one, remove battery.
DO keep it away from children. In fact I would go as far as to say treat it as you would a firearm.
DO NOT look directly at the beam or point it at anyone else. Also beware of reflections off shiny objects.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
Step 2: Parts and Tools
an infrared laser. Mine is a 1000mW which is very powerful for a handheld laser. They can be quite expensive too so it pays to shop around. I was lucky to find
one on a Chinese web site a couple of years ago for about NZ$50. Another way to obtain an infrared laser is to convert a green laser which uses an IR laser
diode.
a lens mount. I recovered one from a broken web cam but they can also be found on Ebay. They are pretty standard and called a CCTV S-mount. The thread is
M12x0.5
a CCTV lens to suit the lens mount. This spreads out the infrared light making it a spotlight and rendering it safe at a distance. These can be found cheap on Ebay
or DX.com. A 16mm focal length produces a 20 degree field of view.
pipe fittings to suit. I used a 25mm to 20mm reducer and a 20mm cap
possibly some o-rings and tape
a drill (preferably a drill press)
hot glue
safety goggles that filter infrared
a night vision device. This could be as simple as a converted digital camera or a full-blown image intensified night vision scope. I used the former since I can't
afford the latter! (It also makes it easy to take photos for this Instructable!)
Image Notes
1. This laser has some good safety features including a key interlock, and an
aperture cover
Image Notes
1. Laser safety goggles. VERY IMPORTANT while building and testing this
project.
Image Notes
1. Plumbing parts from the hardware store
Image Notes
http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
1. Plumbing parts from the hardware store
Image Notes
1. CCTV S-mount. Thread size is M12x0.5
Image Notes
1. Digital camera modified by removing the IR filter
http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
Image Notes
1. Drill a hole for the CCTV mount
Image Notes
1. Hot glue holds it firm nicely
Image Notes
1. Kinda reminds me of a light sabre!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
Step 4: Using the Spotlight
The pictures tell the story well. The left hand side is taken with the IR laser on and on the right with it off.
The measurement for safe exposure to light is called maximum permissible exposure (MPE) and is measured in Watts per square centimetre (W/cm2 ).
For near infrared wavelengths a conservative safe value is 0.001W/cm2 .
How large does the area of the spotlight have to be for the MPE to be smaller than this?
For a 1000mW laser it is 1000cm2 or a 36cm (14 inch) diameter circle.
At what distance does the light cone project a circle of this size? For a 20° cone this is about 1 metre (slightly more than 1 yard).
I calculated this on a MPE that is safe to look at. If you take an inadvertent glance closer than 1 metre you won't go blind. Just don't stare at it for ages!
Image Notes
1. The house is 24 metres (78 feet away). I estimate the field of view to be
about 10 metres wide here.
2. The same scene without the IR
Image Notes
1. Rubbish bin at 5 metres (16 feet). Almost too bright.
2. Pitch black to the naked eye
http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/
Image Notes
1. I take conservative value on the pink line which is near infrared
2. Graph courtesy of Wikipedia (created by Han-Kwang based on IEC 60825
formulas)
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Distance-Laser-Night-Vision-Flashlight/