Exile
New Member
F**k starting faces since 1988
Posts: 731
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Post by Exile on Jun 16, 2014 15:15:58 GMT -5
Hey guys, I was reading over the MIA safety regulations for a refresher (since I have kinda been out of the loop for a while) and I noticed there isn't anything which covers laser or IR desigators. For example, would MIA allow Class 3a or Class 1 illuminators? How about rules which requires verification that the laser/illuminator is "eye safe" similar to how we require guns to be chronod before games? I have seen players use something like a G&P DBAL or other clone illuminators/lasers. However these laser designators are not FDA approved and thus pose a potential risk to other players' eyes. If guys are running potentially dangerous IR designators at a game, virtually every player on the field is at risk of receiving some sort of retinal damage. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt ya know? I want to see some opinions from the community about this topic and if anyone could point me to some documentation on the forum which covers this topic then that would answer a lot of the questions I have. If there isn't any documentatin then I really feel rules regarding lasers/IR desigators should be added to the official MIA rules/guidelines.
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Post by Gimpalong on Jun 16, 2014 15:41:43 GMT -5
I think we're all pretty aware of the availability of various high-powered IR emitting devices and lasers and the potential damage they can do.
The trouble for event hosts is enforcing a ban on certain systems, while allowing those that don't pose a threat. I for one couldn't tell the difference between low-powered China laser A and high-powered China death-ray-laser B just from glancing at it while mounted to some kid's rifle. The same goes for flash-lights. One might put out 40 lumens and another might put out 900 lumens, and I'd have no idea until I've been dazzled all to hell and back.
I think this issue really comes down to having respect for our fellow players and doing everything we can to minimize the chances that we hurt someone else on the field.
I know that that isn't really a great solution to the problem that you're identifying, but it may be the only one that really works beyond just simply banning all laser-type devices entirely.
edit:
I should also add that the use of these devices is entirely up to the event host. On MiA we encourage specific FPS and eye-protection guidelines for the events that we allow to be advertised on this forum, but ultimately it's up to the event host to regulate and monitor what goes on at their games. We further incentivize event hosts to conform to certain basic guidelines by remarking on unsafe practices in After-Action Reports and post-game commentary. MiA isn't a regulatory body; the forums exist to provide a place for discussion.
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Elvis
New Member
Formerly BobHuckins
Posts: 233
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Post by Elvis on Jun 17, 2014 20:08:45 GMT -5
I was just thinking about this yesterday. A good rule of thumb is if you can see the beam and/or it is any color except red (green is most common) it is unsafe to use. And only a idiot would use them on their gun.
edit: color does not dictate if the beam is unsafe, it just happens most unsafe lasers are green or colors besides red
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Post by Zorak on Jun 18, 2014 10:56:14 GMT -5
Here's my version: don't use lasers, they're dumb for airsoft.
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Post by Kilo Oscar Tango on Jun 18, 2014 15:27:07 GMT -5
I was just thinking about this yesterday. A good rule of thumb is if you can see the beam and/or it is any color except red (green is most common) it is unsafe to use. And only a idiot would use them on their gun. edit: color does not dictate if the beam is unsafe, it just happens most unsafe lasers are green or colors besides red Red is the lowest frequency output. Green is higher than red then I think you have blue and then purple. The higher the output the easier it is to see, but also the more heat it produces and more damaging it can be, even for the user. I've been to some night and day games where red and green lasers have been used and shortly owned a green laser. The reason I got rid of my green laser is it bothered my eyes as the operator, even at distance. There is a low chance of injury with lasers and less with torches (or flashlights) but there is a slightly greater risk of related injury as a result of a loss of eyesight. It's up to the host and even players. If you have a preference talk about it with other players. Within my circle we have a rule on lasers that you can use them to designate targets by flashing the nearest object, usually a tree and are to avoid actually targeting the player. This has two effects; it reduces the chance of injury and the player may not know they have been spotted. Win-win. That's obviously not a fail-safe, but we are all comfortable with the odds. Now as to the actual utility of a laser, it would be slim to none, but if someone thinks they're cool we don't ban them. It's much like a flashlight, they will give you away and lead right back to you so they may actually be detrimental in many cases, especially at night. It's also something we have used in night games to add another level to the game, a way to suppress someone without actually firing. There is no right answer, just the answer your hosts and players will agree on.
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