Last month Wicked Lasers released the Spyder III 445nm Pro Arctic blue laser (S3 Arctic). The company claims that “this laser possesses the most burning capabilities of any portable laser in existence.” Quite compact at just 228mm x 35.8mm and weighing 378g, the laser operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It retails for $299.95.
According to Wicked Laser, the S3 Arctic is equipped with a hardware key lock and a secondary software key input must be performed to power on the device. This safety code is designed to prevent accidental and unauthorized use. Why is that important? Because Wicked Laser states that the S3 Arctic “is the most dangerous laser ever created.” At close range, the Class 4 beam in the S3 Arctic will cause immediate and irreversible retinal damage. It can also burn through clothes and skin.
Wicked Lasers insists that purchasers sign a Class 4 Laser Hazard Acknowledgment Form and safety goggles are included in the purchase price. There’s no protection of course for others who might be harmed by the S3 Arctic. The company cautions against pointing the device at air planes and law enforcement officers.
There are many genuine applications for blue lasers. Telecom, information and communications technology, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics and electronic equipment industries all have benefited from blue light lasers. Many of the newest micro projectors and displays use blue lasers for operational purposes. It has been reported that Wicked Lasers built the S3 Arctic with a direct blue diode from a micro projector. Blue lasers are increasingly incorporated in consumer electronic equipment. Blue laser makes Blu-ray technology possible. It has a shorter wavelength than other types of lasers, thus can read increased concentrations of information off the discs.
Even though there are many amazing applications for blue lasers, there isn’t a good reason for the creation of the S3 Arctic. Wicked Lasers offers shipping to “all countries in the world,” and there have been requests for shipment of the S3 Arctic to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations. The company believes it is up to local customs authorities to prohibit entry of their products if they are illegal. Some governments, such as the UK and New Zealand, are in the process of modifying regulations to restrict the sale of Class 4 lasers, such as the S3 Arctic, only to research institutes or manufacturing facilities.
