New Idea For Christmas Lights

[chachi]

Thats what Im worried about is the theiving one year I put this cute light up train out and someone took it right away since then I dont put anything out in my front yard but lights

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Interestingly, it's been on the news that these lasers are causing some problems for airplanes...kind of scary.

Yes. there are a few houses around here that are on large lots. They have the U shaped driveway, which is why their cars cast shadows on the lasers. Some have put the lights high up in the trees to avoid that. Driving down the street we have been temp blinded by the lasers. I can only imagine if it were a pilot! And we have tons of planes taking off at McCarran every few mins.

[Yorkiemom1]

I can understand if the laser lights are going to interfere with pilots and planes! Everyone in this area is going nuts over them....and we have Hobby Airport and Ellington AFB in the area.....hopefully, someone will say something if these things pose a threat to pilots, airlines, or military jets! I am sure the airlines will say something.....???!!!

[capt_noonie]

I just read an article in one of our local magazines. In the late 80s and early 90s during the huge Vegas boom, several mega resorts had laser shows; MGM, Luxor, Rio, LV Hilton, even Sam's Town over in Henderson. Pilots complained and it wasn't until 1995(!) that the FAA banned the outdoor laser shows. Not only do we have McCarran here but also Nellis AFB. Lots and lots of flights out of a very small valley.

That same article noted that pilots now are complaining about the holiday laser lights. Now I realize these lasers aren't being wielded by idiots trying to purposely blind pilots, but they are bright and can momentarily blind you. These are more expensive than the cheap laser toy keychains that can and have blinded pilots so I do think there is a danger there.

[Yorkiemom1]

Well, they should be banning them before long here in Houston if these Christmas laser lights are going to blind pilots!

[Maximo]

I saw the laser lights in person for the first time last night. One of my neighbors has them. They are pretty, but angled in a way that even driving by in a car, they can be blinding for a second. Eeek!

[Yorkiemom1]

Everyone around here ....maybe because we do live close to airports....people seem to know how to angle the lights toward the houses, set up in flower beds that keep the beam of light from going all over the yard and street, etc...they are aimed directly at the houses.....close enough to the houses that passing cars do not even line up with the lite sources that are way up into the yard....enough trees in yards to keep the lites from going up into the sky, to hit airplanes! I have seen some people put open ended boxes around the lite source, to be sure the beam is aimed directly at the house...

[Maximo]

I think proper angling, placement, and the box as you mentioned would make a big difference.

Another neighbor has a thing that projects a static picture of an elaborate wreath onto the house. Is that a laser light or something else? That one must be properly placed because it has never bothered me, even though the house is at an angle to the street.