Hi all,

I'm interested having a laser pointer with a visible beam dot who at least reaches 12km at night for demonstration in a local mountain.

I suppose I have chosen the right section 'cause I know that the brightest lasers are green and with the highest beam range.

I asked DLs and they suggested me the Hulk Ultra 350mW but I found it too pricey for my wallet.

Could you suggest me something else?

(Extremely thankful, John.)

P.S. Don't worry, no human will be harrased (including me)!!!!.

12km can be reached by a 5mw green, but for the dot to be visible from that distance something much stronger..

do you really need the dot to be visible? because just a visible beam is usually enough, you also won't be able to hold it still enough to precisely point at something at that distance.

i think you are looking for a 50-100mw green

You should buy some safety goggles as you upgrade you lasers !
Here are some very good ones: Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-2000nm Laser Safety Goggles

Now about the laser, have a look on these two:
1) LZSK - 532nm 300mW High Power Green Laser Pointer Separate Crystal
2) LZSK - 532nm 400mW High Power Green Laser Pointer Separate Crystal

Jim

yes, I really want the dot to be visible but I don't care if the dot is steady or not.

(I have as you see a WL 100+ green but the dot after 1.5-2 km is not visible so I doubt if the 50-100mW green will be enough....).

Hello Jim,

thanks for the goggle proposal (they seem very good).

About the lasers, I suppose that a 300mW one would be below this so the 400mW will be better. I should e-mail to the company about my demand.

Thanks anyway, John.

Do you need to see the beam dot from the Laser's location or
do you want to see the Laser's beam from the target's location....

Why do you need to see the beam dot at a distance of >12km..
what is it you are trying to demonstrate....


Jerry

Lasing a target for aircraft to bomb?

Hello Jerry,

firstly thanks for your message as your answers in the forum are very informating for me.

I want the dot to be visible from my view (I don't care if at the end of the beam the dot is large as soon as I see it from my pointing place).

My reason for that demonstration is that I want to prove to my family that a laser pointer can have such a power so as to continue to lend me money for my hobby (I am unemployed).

Thanks truly for your concerns, John.

Not at all, believe me

My reason for that demonstration is that I want to prove to my family that a laser pointer can have such a power so as to continue to lend me money for my hobby (I am unemployed).

I think your family will have to be quite rich for you to be able to accomplice your goal, my 532nm 650mW Jetlaser with a 10XBE will definitely not let me see the dot on a mountain covered in snow from about 5-6 km away, even in a really clear night, maybe if i used a tripod for the laser, and also a telescope on a tripod?? Best of luck

I think the reason is not the power, but the divergence. By the time the light reaches where you're pointing over 6km away, your dot will be so large and dispersed that you won't be able to see it at all.

It must be focused enough for all the light to remain stable at such a distance away.

If so, seems impossible to find the laser I want (I should use a several watts laser that means LOT OF money).

Thanks.

As mikzip said (firstly I understand about focusing the beam,) it's also vital to have the power to reach many kilometres but also you put a good reason (probably it's not possible to SEE the beam dot in such a distance).

I'll wait some more if there is an other message (if not the case can be closed).
(((May the Force be with me ......))).

During New Year I've spent a week in a ski resort in the Alps (Hochsölden!).

As some kind of a laser crazy guy I'd a 95mW Viper with a 10x expander with me...

And it's definitely possible to see the dot of the laser in a distance >10km. From the apartment I'd a good view to some of the nearby glaciers. No suprise, attach the beam expander you can see a clearly visible dot (depending on the surface -> snow or "solid" rock)

Believe it or not

Wait a moment, you mean that a 95mW Viper with a 10x expander has a visible dot over 10km???WOAOHH!!!.You're sure???.

If it stands, you'll have a 15$ gift from me to your Paypal, otherwise I'll curse you for my spent money!!!.

P.S. What does Mr. Oizo to your profile picture?

You better check the prices of beam expanders first...


Jerry

Flat Eric is about to whack a fly that is on Mr. Oizo's leg. Flat Eric is always thinking of others before himself. Unless someone washes the car with him still in it. He's too young, and gets frightened easily sometimes.

On topic, I say they would rather see you build a cool laser out of inexpensive parts. Like, say, harvesting a diode from a busted DVD burner you got from a friend who works with computers, and then driving it with a driver you made with an LM317 using schematics from the datasheet. They'd think "Our kid has the mind of an engineer!" instead of "Our kid has expensive tastes..."

Yes I know!!! but Dragonlasers one it's ok.

Thanks!!!.

Hi Yannigk,

For a visible dot over a great distance you need a good beam divergence as opposed to high power output. I am not too sure which 532 has the best beam divergence but i am sure someone on this forum could help you out.

I should try something like that with my hercules and beam expander... But to find a location here is hard.

Cheers sm.

I would recommend the handheld 532s from SKYlasers. They're focusable, and extremely powerful (my HL 100mW (peaks 200mW) will arrive on tuesday, so incoming review). They also have very good heatsinking, and they are nice and sturdy.

Rallerboy

You will need WATTS of light to cut through that stretch of air, and an initial beam diameter of at least ~30cm to alleviate the divergence.

And after that, we need to calculate the intensity of the spot to ensure that someone caught in the spot could look back through the beam with ZERO eye hazards.

What you're asking for is not a toy. If your parents need proof that its possible, then show them this thread. I can assure you, it can be done. But no one spend $5k on a laser like this, just to make spots on a mountain.

My advice, pop a balloon or something.

Hi to recent messengers,

I see that even with a beam expander is almost impossible to do what I want if I don't spend more than $1k as Meatball said.

Now, for about $350 what is the further range I can get (no problem even if it is a cheap pointer)? (sorry for that but till my family make some economic arrangements I am in a HEAVILY tight budget!!!).

Greetings, Yannis.

If you're in a economic situation where your family has to make sacrifices to get a laser you need to greatly rethink your life.
A laser is a gross luxury. It's like a yacht, jetski, rolex, louis vuitton purse, canary diamond pinky rings, ferraris, or any other extravagance you can possibly imagine.

Not only do you not need a laser but you have zero usage for it what so ever. You probably need to grow up and get a job instead of wasting your life playing with lasers.
You'd be better off setting a goal for yourself to buy your own laser with your own money once you have established new employment as a reward. Maybe take your family out for dinner too.

That being said lazerer has a 400mw green that goes for around 300$ shipped if you get expedited shipping, glasses, & upgraded battery /w charger. (all of which I recommend)
They also usually over spec closer to 500mw.

Is this the kind of thinking that has gotten Greece in its current financial situation?