Will swapping out the laser in my range finder make it detect objects further out?

I'm assuming laser range finders come with a 5mw laser. Would it be possible to swap it out with a 10mw or 20mw?

I do not know the answer to your question but it is likely someone here will.

To get started what is the brand/model?

No. The drive current will remain the same, so the power will actually be less with a higher power laser diode. You'd need to update the driver, the software/firmware, and possibly the photodiode. This is not a project that is worth doing, since the time/cost of just getting a better device is lower.

^there ya go