200mw laser not burning matches = IR filter ?

Question

My 200mw ebay laser does not burn matches but it is very bright. Does that mean that it has an IR filter. I want to be save rather then burning things with a laser. any help would be apreciated.

Answer 1

it is probably a DMX stagelighting laser, in that case, it will not burn things.... I don't know what type of filter that would take but they cant have lasers cuting through arenas n stuff, use your head.

Answer 2

200mw is nothing, in energy terms, unless it its brought to bear on a very small area.  The danger, and the heat, comes from a focussed laser beam.

A ray you could put your hand in with no effect, not even detectable warmth, could wreck your retina because your eye's optical elements had concentrated that same power into a very compact area.

The coherent light quality allows that tight focus well beyond what normal light can achieve.

Your laser, sent through a +2.00 lens, should show maximum power concentration about 0.5M beyond the lens.  I'd be very surprised if it wouldn't light a match, there.

Take care.