Z1 Violet Laser Pen

Z1: a violet laser pen for something different

The Z1 is the laser pen people ask about. Its 405 nm dot has a deep blue-violet colour that you rarely see, and when it hits glow-in-the-dark paint, glow stickers or fluorescent highlighter ink, those materials light up. Draw a line on glow paper in a dark room and watch it fade slowly: it is a small bit of science that fascinates almost everyone who sees it.

The Z1 is a Starlight Lasers pen with an output up to 1 mW, laser class 2 – the class intended for sale to the public in the UK. The aluminium pen has a pocket clip, two powerful AAA batteries are included, and every unit is measured before dispatch.

Honest expectations

Violet sits at the edge of what the human eye can see. That makes the dot look dimmer than a green or red dot of the same class, and the range is shorter – see the table below. The Z1 is a laser for effect, curiosity and collecting, not for pointing at stars or moving birds on; for those jobs a green laser pointer is the right tool.

Popular uses

• Light play with glow-in-the-dark and fluorescent materials.
• Completing a set: green, red and violet side by side – see the laser pen set.
• An unusual gift for a gadget fan – see laser pointer gift ideas.

Range (indicative)

Specifications

Batteries

Two AAA batteries power the Z1. With normal use a set lasts at least about a month, depending on how much you point. Prefer a rechargeable violet laser in aluminium? Look at the V1 Pro with safety keys or the compact V2 Pro. All violet models are on purple laser pointers.

Safety

Violet light looks dim, but it is still a laser: never stare into it. Never aim the laser at eyes, people, animals' eyes, vehicles or aircraft, and be careful with mirrors, glass and water that can reflect the beam. Keep it out of reach of children – it is a tool, not a toy, and you must be 18 or over to order. Shining a laser at a vehicle or aircraft is a criminal offence in the UK. Read laser pointer safety before first use.