Overview and Introduction

This laser is more than just a "scuba-laser" it is solid, ruggedized and ready for extreme environments.  It is designed to handle extreme dust, heavy vibration and shock and even can survive at vacuum pressure (i.e. Mars, Low Earth Orbit).  We have a passion for lasers and are in the early stages of creating a business dedicated to low cost rugged lasers for consumers and industry.

This effort is preliminary production run to build quantity of 100 laser modules.  This is the build to determine market viability of the product and prove out the product design before committing to a quantity of 1000 initial production lot build.  We will be making 50 available to funders and using another 40 to market to dive shops in the Dallas area and around the USA for retail sale.  We will be doing more testing of the last 10 to find any enhancements or improvements we can implement for the 1000 build in 2013.

Team

Our engineering team is highlighted by our lead mechanical engineer, Eric, and our lead physicist, John.  Eric spent 15 years in the military/aerospace field designing flight ready lasers, infrared cameras and underwater devices.  Our lead laser physicist has over 30 years of experience in design of military lasers and other products, has 8 patents and holds a PhD in atmospheric physics.

Technical Details

The GL-012 Scuba-Laser is a 5mW 532nm green laser.  Our product is made in U.S.A., uses a standard CR123A battery similar to many of today's digital cameras and commercial night vision systems. 

Features:

• Barrel is .93" diameter
• Front End .99" diameter
• Length 4.5"
• 5mW output power, Class IIIa
• Green, 532nm wavelength
• Aluminum housing w/ anodized finish
• Shock Resistant
• Operating Temp 10 C to 55 C
• Storage Temp -10 C to 65 C
• Passed 8 consecutive 6' drop shock tests
• Passed Vibration Testing
• Design to be non-toxic to the environment
• Target Depth, 300 meters

The laser is knob activated instead of the normal push-button found on lasers.  The knob at the back end is designed to be able to be grasped when using scuba gloves, or other gloves.  The knob also provides operation at depth without activation due to pressure.

Laser Warning

This is a Class IIIa laser, (< 5mW).  It is still dangerous to point directly in someones eye(s).  Lasers in this class are dangerous in combination with optical instruments.  Direct contact with the eye for over two minutes may cause serious damage to the retina.  The device is required to come with a permanent warning label IAW FDA regulations.

Fabrication and Prototypes

We have made five prototypes machined on our own lathe.  Two of the prototypes are currently in the hands of divers for testing.  

Our prototypes were built in Dallas Texas.  The production machined parts will be built in a USA owned and operating machine shop. We will build and assemble the first 100 units in Dallas TX.  The full production runs will all be built in the USA.  We are dedicated to keeping manufacturing and assembly of our products in the USA. We are planning to build 1000 units in early 2013.

Prototypes and Environmental Tests

We have passed the following tests:

• 3 meter Depth for 1 week
• 5 minutes at 15 meters
• 8 consecutive 6 foot drops onto concrete
• Vibration Testing
• -10 to + 65 C Storage Temp
• 10 C to + 55 C Operational Temperature

How Funds will be used & What You Get

The funds raised will go towards paying for the machined aluminum parts, the optics and all other hardware and laser components.  The funding would also cover costs for assembly fixtures and test equipment for depth testing and laser output energy testing for FDA approval.  

Additionally, if enough money is raised, we will need to print instruction manuals, buy shipping material and print product datasheets to go with the product. 

If we go beyond our goal, we will be donating a portion to some of our selected charities.  Our charities have been reviewed to ensure they are respectable and have high ratings with the Better Business Bureau and other charity review websites.

PERKS

Some of the funding is used for perks.  We have picked some perks related to optics which we think are kind of cool.  We are also offering a few other perks and the laser itself at a low introductory cost.  The MSRP will be $137, but we are offering it here for the intro price of $89.

For our lower level funding we will have a portion of your funds go to one of our selected charities to help protect the oceans, rivers and their inhabitants.

LED Keychain Flashlight $20 (500 available)

w/ LED, keyring and scuba laser logo

Scuba Laser T-shirt  $35 (1000 available)

Medium, Large, XL, specify with your donation

White short sleeve with this logo

Ruggedized LED keychain flashlight, $40  (200 available)

• Anodized Aluminum
• Submersible to 2 feet
• 12 Lumen LED
• Runs on 1xAAA (Not Included)
• Dimensions: Diameter: .57" (14.5mm) X Length: 2.87" (73mm)

Scuba-Laser -- $89  you get Qty of 1 of the laser  (50 available)

For $89, you get the Laser - GL-012, Green Laser (USA Only due to Govt restrictions)   

Gold Club -- $500  (100 available)

You get all perks and more.  This is for motivated backers that are international where we cannot ship the laser.

Platinum Club -- $750  (5 available)

You get the scuba-laser! Plus all other perks and more.

The Impact

Your contribution will help us launch our first rugged submersible laser product.  But this will only be  the first!  Your funding will set us on a path of creating more laser products as well as get us started on building or business to grow into other applications.  We are currently seeking a patent on a non-invasive flow monitor that can be used for a variety of applications including medical, manufacturing, water treatment, MEMS and a variety of other industries.

Throughout our careers our team has succesfully put a wide variety of ruggedized electronics and lasers into service and the 5 prototypes we have already built make us confident that this laser will be an excellent product and a success.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't donate, but want to help us by spreading the word, please share our campaign with people you think might be interested.  You can also link to our page on your social networks pages or websites.  Ask people you know to forward our info to people they know that like Scuba Diving or people that just like lasers.  

Our Scuba Laser page:  http;//www.scuba-laser.com

Our Company website:  http://www.spqrtech.com

Our Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/scubalaser

Our Facebook page: SPQR Tech on Facebook

Eric's personal Twitter account on Optomechanical Design:

http://www.twitter.com/optomechanic

If you have questions or just want to talk about lasers email us:

info@scuba-laser.com

GL-012,  Scuba-Laser, Ruggedized Submersible Laser Manufactured in U.S.A.

• CR123A battery.
• 5mW 
• 532nm, Green
• Target Depth 300m .  
• Overall Size:  1" Dia x 4"
• Aluminum Alloy w/ Anodize Finish

I like the laser but I don't scuba-dive!?!

So, Scuba-Lasers aren't just for scuba diving anymore.  You can use it for anything you need a ruggedized lase.  Any application that requires a laser which will not leak when dropped in a puddle, exposed to rain, dunked in a tank or whatever other adventure in life will expose it to water, liquids, vibration or shock.  This laser can take quite a beating, so if you are need a laser for an application where it will potentially experience a rough ride, be exposed to shock or occasionally dropped whether accidentally or on purpose then this laser may fit your needs.

Here are some other ideas:

• Spelunking
• Snorkeling
• Tour Guide for Snorkeling or Scuba
• Underwater Signaling for a team of divers
• Low level light flashlight
• Laser Designator
• Astronomy
• Industrial Locations
• Underwater Recreation
• Signaling or pointing

Image from our CAD model