Laser Pointer

This is a 3M essential, LP50, batteries included, 300-yard range, red laser pointer. It consists of metal, glass & 2xAAA batteries.

I got this laser pointer for free. My mom brought it home from work when she retired. She gave it to me just after we brought Juki home, so in about 2020. I was at my mom’s place one day, and I saw it on her table. She mentioned it was for her cats but offered it to me for our new kitten Juki.

It was designed and manufactured by 3M. It was manufactured using extruded metal, pressed metal, and small electrical components. The tiny label on the laser pointer has an address of Amapole Court, Torrence, CA. You can find similar versions on eBay for around $ 10 USD. They don’t sell this model new, and I don’t think they ever actually sold it in Canada.

To turn on the laser, you press the small black button near the laser head. It turns off when you let the button go. I really like the weight of it. It’s rather heavy, which makes it feel like a quality item. I like that it is very clear at a far distance and that it doesn’t have a lot of frills. It is very stealthy, being machined black metal. I wish I could change the laser colour to test which colour my cat responds to the most. I also wish I could change the diameter of the dot. It doesn’t take any effort to keep it clean, and I have never had to replace the batteries. In fact, I just found out today that it takes 2 x AAA batteries.

It has been said that Gordon Gould (the first person to even use the word laser) patented “the first laser” in 1977. Lasers are used for pointing, entertainment, research, weapons & industrial applications. I use mine strictly for cat playtime. I don’t think I have ever used it for pointing out a presentation.

The laser pointer reminds me of Juki and my mom. It reminds me of Juki because when he was a kitten, we used to play with him for hours with it. We’d run the laser up the wall and down, and he would leap at incredible heights to try and catch it. I used to run the light beam from the sofa to the corner of our apartment where our front door is, so I trained Juki to meow for it if he stands near it. It reminds me of my mom because she gave it to me. She used to use it to play with her. cats Napster and BooBoo. It’s from her work, so it’s a serious piece of equipment for presenting.

The laser pointer lives underneath our TV, on a vintage metal tray, beside other remotes. It used to live on our coffee table, but Juki would never lose focus of it and got to be too demanding.

Juki will sometimes touch the laser pointer when he is wanting to play. He gets quite vocal about it too. I haven’t used it much without the newest kitten addition Millie, but I’m sure we’ll create a laser monster out of her too. Because my mom worked for 3M, I always had really high-quality office supplies at my disposal. I would never have purchased this quality of pointer on my own. I am very happy I have it, and I appreciate that quality now that I own it.

I once had a problem with it and my friend’s child. I had my friends over, and their little guy took a fascination with it. He ended up popping the end of it off by accident. I was afraid it was broken, but luckily it was an easy fix, and I put it back together. The other problem I have had is that Juki likes it too much. He is obsessed and can get quite demanding for us to play with him. I think that’s a good problem to have.

I really like having a laser pointer for my cats because it helps me bond with them. Juki absolutely loves hunting the laser, and it allows time for me to be present in the moment and just enjoy my cat’s company. I feel happy knowing this is a high-quality item. I like the simplicity of the design, and it appeals to my minimal aesthetic preference. I’m not sure how long this laser pointer is supposed to last? I assume for a very long time as it’s not heavily used. I would donate this to the SPCA when I’m gone.

On a scale of 1-10 for how upset I’d be if I lost this or it broke (10 being very upset and 1 representing no thoughts given at all), I’d be a 4. You can always get another laser pointer, and my cats have a ton of toys to play with. It is not a need-to-have item but a nice-to-have, and I really appreciate the quality of this piece.