Roll your own beam detection?

[Sacarino]

I stumbled upon this video and thought it was somewhat interesting. You can get a 10mw laser for $12 from the url in the video.

I don't see why you couldn't do something similar (straight-line beam detection, no tacky mirrors) and have it tie into a zone in your panel for intrusion detection.

Good idea/bad idea?

 

[programmergeek]

Sure but there is no battery back up on that system and I think to many untested parts. You could just buy a IR sensor for a alarm for pretty cheap. What you need is a 12v system so you can use it with the alarm or a regulated power supply to drop the voltage.

 

[Photon]

I think about trying this every so often. I see a couple major issues:

1. Most laser pointers have a warning label that states direct exposure may cause eye damage. A perp might get more via lawsuit than by breaking into the house and taking my valuable toys.

2. I doubt the laser pointers will last long under continuous duty unless they have some sort of cooling applied.

Good luck. . . . John

 

[ano]

I think about trying this every so often. I see a couple major issues:

1. Most laser pointers have a warning label that states direct exposure may cause eye damage. A perp might get more via lawsuit than by breaking into the house and taking my valuable toys.

2. I doubt the laser pointers will last long under continuous duty unless they have some sort of cooling applied.

Good luck. . . . John

Yeah, I always hate it when the harsh realities of reality get into the way of a good You-tube video. The boring reality is a simple UL approved magnetic switch will work better at protecting your door from break-in then this contraption. And it only costs about $2.00