Ahhh, the feeling of being a Jedi Knight, charging into battle deflecting laser beams and slicing through skin, bone, and metal effortlessly. I stumbled into this story at News.com, got confused with what they have written (even the author was), and tried to check out the website for what this "light saber" is all about. It would be cool using this mounted on your airsoft gun just by the mere look of it, or just having it holstered in your belt.

Wicked Lasers, A Shanghai-based manufacturer, call this "light saber" Spyder III Pro Arctic, extracted the diodes of laser powered home theatre projectors, put them into this star wars-looking aircraft grade aluminium container, and presto! A gadget that a Jedi would love. And there are rather large numbers of people in the UK and some Commonwealth countries who have indicated Jediism as their religion, more than some legally-recognised religions in these countries.

Now the confusion starts with the description made by Wicked Lasers as they did not mention what exactly the purpose of the Spyder III Pro Arctic Blue laser Series. I would not even recommend to use this as laser pointed for presentations to an audience given this warning:

Warning: Extremely dangerous is an understatement to 1W of laser power. At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversable retinal damage. Use with extreme caution and use only when wearing proper safety goggles with an O.D. of 3+ is required and 4.4+ for longer exposures. Customers will be required to completely read and agree to our Class 4 Laser Hazard Acknowledgment Form.

News.com consulted a scientist and this is what she has to say:

"People could very readily access this laser which could cause blindness. It could also start fires. It could be a very dangerous tool in the hands of people who didn't really know how to use it. It could potentially be used as a scientific instrument but it doesn't look like it's been designed to be used as such."

Aherm! Breaking down this statement, this tool can be used for the following:

1. Starting campfires when there's no match, lighter, no magnifying glass under a bright sun or a dried twigs to use; and
2. Airsoft players with a mean streak: use the laser to tag a "zombie" who doesn't call his/her hit. But we would not recommend it as it would burn skin or might even light up clothing, especially if these are not made of materials that are not fire-retardant.

Still confused? For now, we would rather put this story up as a warning to airsoft skirmish organisers, and to teams themselves just in case this might stray into the kit of some players. So apart from the usual chrono process to ensure players use airsoft guns within the legal fps limits, laser equipment should be within safety limits too.

While some readers might be salivating the thought of being able to make a zombie call a hit without waiting for a marshal, can that thought please. This is rather a dangerous tool.

May the Force be with you.