Laser Pointer for High Powered Crossbow?

Hi,
I'm building a crossbow thats accurate out to 100yds or more and want to find a good laser for it.
What color and power would you recommend??
Thanks, Butch

I'd recommend a green laser from Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Worldwide Free Shipping - DealExtreme I've bought 5mW pointers from them and they were visible at night. If you wish to use them during the day, you might need to have a much higher output.

Here's their green laser section

Green Laser Flashlight, Pointer, Pen, Module, Keychain, Green Laser Stage Lighting on Sale - DealExtreme

Here's the product I've bought before:

True Green Laser Pen 5mW - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Dirt cheap price, free shipping, decent quality. Though if you wish to have a mounted one, might want to find a different one from that section.

I don't know about green, because it may not be highly visable in the forest.
I'd like something I can see clearly in day time, but something that won't burn the brushes if it gets too close.
Also something I can leave on for a couple minutes to get the best shot.
Thanks, Butch

Butch777 said:

I don't know about green, because it may not be highly visable in the forest.
I'd like something I can see clearly in day time, but something that won't burn the brushes if it gets too close.
Also something I can leave on for a couple minutes to get the best shot.
Thanks, Butch

Click to expand...

Due to the nature of how we see light, green is the brightest of them all, by far!

Even though things around you might be green, a green laser will be very cheap, bright, and will be less dangerous at the visible power level you require compared to a red laser of a visible power level.

I think I'll answer this question clearly and coherently. Green light is by far the most sensitive light that the human eye can perceive. Say you buy a red laser at 5mW like the usual laser peasants. A green laser is roughly 8 times brighter, although they still have the same power rating. Its the sensitivity of the human eye that determines it brightness, and then coupled with the amount of light that gets reflected in this case, measured by mW.

Honestly, if green is the brightest, I strongly suggest you get something in the 50mW range. If you want something very bright, but not killer blinding or burning just go for the 5mW verison... youll still be able to see the beam in the dark. 50mW can do at the most warm up a bit, but not burn very well unless you are using precision optics and a highly non-reflective surface. Which I believe you have neither. You can search 'green' in the search bar if you want to refer to what green looks like in ambient sunlight. Red may be the next color of light you want in the wilderness, but the problem is that it is not as well perceived by the human eye compared to green. If you are serious about choosing a bright laser that is economical and suitable for your need, you may want to use this tool.

Be sure to note that 50mWs of power is more than enough to blind you if you get a direct hit of a laser beam RIGHT in the eye. You will go blind. Higher powers above this are clearly not safe.

http://rohanhill.com/tools/RelativeBrightness/

Enter the power you want... 50mW and pick your wavelength. Red is 650, Green is 532, Violet is 405, and Blue is 445. Other colors are extremely rare and you will not be able to mount them on your c-bow because they are lab-grade lasers and not very safe to use or have at all.

In general, I suggest a 50mW 532nm green laser, or any other laser that is green. Its bright in general compared to other lasers and lastly, its economical. And if you're hunting at night, I assure you you will be able to see the beam of the laser if you mounted it, and quite clearly as well. The reflection off of a white wall form my 30mW green can light up the entire room enough to see some things.

Hope it helps,

Iso

will it still be accurate taking into account trajectory and arc? or does that mainly effect bows?

Isoleucine, thanks for the great explaination.
The only time I would use it at night would be for self defence. Calif hunting is day time only.
Would a 50mw green laser be bright enough in day light out to 100 yards??
During the day the deer usually hide in brushy areas and there hard to sneek up on so I need to be a real quick shot, sometimes through the brush.

Strik, My best current crossbow is 225lbs and 350ft per second. It perty dead on to about 60yds. This new crossbow is a lot faster, but there will still be some sort of ark farther out.

Daylight is quite bright, it might be difficult to see the beam, but the dot may still be visible, not as much though. Not many lasers are capable of beam visibility in the day. As for the dot, I'd say yes though. Do you have a scope or some other type of sight on your cbow?

I have several type of scopes and iron sights on some.
Just looking for a quick point, aim and fire set-up. Butch

I see. You could use a holographic sight in that case. At that power, its pretty bright, but it could be difficult to see in normal daylight, coupled with the color of foliage and distance... Most lasers in general don't have the power to really shine through that much, and are still able to be mounted on a cbow. I suggest putting a laser on it for like morning or evening hunts.