http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/ Engadget Comments for Laser pointers banned in New South Wales after rash of attacks on pilots http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
I totally agree with this ban, I used to love these lasers myself, I've owned a couple of red ones... Until I got hit by a green one when cycling back from work, the guy was in a car. My eyes felt like they were burning my vision was bad for about a day, and after effects were still visible, from that day onward I've never liked lasers, they are to dangerous. You only have two eyes, look after them guys and girls.]]>Apr 21st 2008 3:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/for saying

"I am not replying to Onlyshawn, but I just wish to get my comment at the top"?

What makes his opinion so damn important that it just HAS to be at the top?
]]>Apr 21st 2008 4:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 8:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
These green lasers are an extremely serious topic!! Would you want to shine a green laser at a 747 full of people??! only to have those pilots blinded and they crash that plane into the ground killing thousands?!?!?]]>Apr 21st 2008 8:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
Prohibition is not the solution]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
What about tough penalties for odd few hooligans that thinks its funny to toy with a 40 tonne missile carrying 26000L of fuel and hundreds of passengers.
]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
Thing is, it's still very easy to hide a laser pointer due to its size. Laws like this will probably screw the non-asshole citizens more than the ones doing the deeds. The people doing this shit in the first place will probably continue as if nothing happened.]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rkba-50.html]]>Apr 21st 2008 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
I agree, but how do you propose catching these hooligans? The crime can happen anywhere with a line of site to an airplane, the only evidence is a temporary green dot inside the cockpit with little chance of being able to spot a point of origin, and the only witnesses may be blinded or shouldn't try looking for the point of origin for fear of being blinded and risking the lives of those on board.

Meanwhile, the hooligans merely place their laser pointer into a pocket and stroll away.

The only chance of catching them is for a police officer to actually see them do it.]]>Apr 21st 2008 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
How do you propose catching them WITH this law in place?]]>Apr 21st 2008 12:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 1:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
Notice I gave no solution to stop people from pointing lasers. This is because people are asses, and there is just no way to stop that.]]>Apr 21st 2008 3:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
prohibition may not stop it but it will deter it. ]]>Apr 22nd 2008 12:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
this thing on?]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
I can get you a replacement part in about three to four months, which I'm sure you are TOTALLY fine with.

That will also be a $450 call out charge, not including tax.

Thanks you for choosing Sarcasm Detector inc, for all your sarcasm needs.. as if.]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
[mope mope]]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/That and this only becomes an issue during landings and takeoffs since it would require the laser to be above the plane at even moderate heights. Me thinks this is bullshit. Rash of _attacks_ my ass. This is just some dipshit kid who has the brain of a 6 year old.
You can take my laser pointer when you pry it from my cold dead hands... :-P Seriously those things are fun...when used appropriately.]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
In any case, you do not have to be above them, think: if the pilots can see the ground then they could see a laser pointed at them from within their line of sight. However, height means a longer distance for the light beam to travel and thus more dissipation, interference from airborne dust, water, etc.

]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
Project that beam to now over 30,000 feet and suddenly the dot is a few feet wide, and incredibly bright still. It would be like you driving down a nice dark road and suddenly some ass hole drives by with there brights on, but your moving at 400+ mph, carrying a couple hundred people, and the bright light stays in your eyes.

I can see the problem, I just dont think banning lasers is going to solve it, or is the right solution, instead you need to make absolutely certain people understand the danger and go from there.]]>Apr 21st 2008 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
What are my fine school o' killer sharks gonna wear? A Nadions Phaser? thats so last century]]>Apr 21st 2008 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
Regarding blinding both the pilot and copilot: I don't expect you could blind both of them simultaneously, but I wouldn't want to be on the plane that loses either one of them at the last second. I also expect that if you tried to hold a pointer on a fixed object 1/2 mile away, you'd have a hell of a job doing that. More than likely, this dot (which is probably a bit larger than that at this distance) is jumping all over the cockpit. And your eyes would naturally be drawn to something shining in the distance.

Yes, it sucks that the few bad apples screw every mature person out of another fun toy. But so be it in 2008.]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/put some retroreflecting corner cube mirrors on that plane and blind the perp!
]]>Apr 21st 2008 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
My passport was expired, but I showed that one, because it has the current visa

I tried explaining that I have 2 passports, but now, he just marked my ticket

I swear, they almost searched my butt for explosives, because

1) Latino, passport expired
2) Lots of gadgets, could be a bomb

So what did I carried?

a) 3 iphods yes, 3. Iphone as a phone, iPod nano for jogging, big iPod for playing music
b) GPS for driving, TomTom Go 720
c) Bose around the ear headphones - for the iPhone, iPod
d) Bose TriPort in-ear headphones - for the nano
e) a chip in my shoe - Nike shoe with chip inside it Nike Sport+
f) a wirless receiver in the bottom of my iPod nano, to receive the data from my shoe
g) skin moisturizer, it was a regular bottle, not a sachet

Then, they let me go, but they forgot to mark my ticket.

So, before entering the plane, they blocked me, again, they trated me like a criminal or drug dealer (again, no respect at all)

All I could hear was "stay seated sir"

Like if I would be guilty of a crime or something

For me, travelling in airplane is fun, but gets too ridiculous.

Oh yeah I forgot, they made me throw away a skin moisturizer
]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
BUT if Xavier Baez is not your real name, then I don't know what to tell you.]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 3:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/
That's a plane traveling at 180 - 300 mph, and probably with the nose pointing up slightly so you would have to be at least 10 miles in front of the plane. Not to mention the glass in the way which would reflect the majority of the light at that angle?

Seen any hand held lasers latterly brighter than the sun? No? Well how about just using a mirror? Would that not be 10,000 times brighter? Lets ban mirrors then, oh and glass for that matter. All those reflective windscreens on cars must be removed!

Rupert, BPhys]]>Apr 21st 2008 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/laser-pointers-banned-in-new-south-wales-after-rash-of-attacks-o/Apr 21st 2008 10:44AM