Overspec laser pointer?

I recently bought a fairly cheap 405 nm laser that claims to be 10 mW. Thing is, I can see the beam fairly clearly in dark, non-foggy conditions, and it makes a not uncomfortable but still bright spot on the wall. What power does it usually take to be able to see the beam of a 405 nm laser, and is there a lot of variability in how bright 405 nm appears to people? I'm thinking it must be quite overspec, but I don't have a meter.

Well a lot of people including myself have gotten WAY over spec (40-60) 5mw lasers from ebay. Mine can pop a balloon. There is no way a true 5mw can do that. I'd suspect your is up there too.

It is certainly possible. If you have a multimeter, try measuring the current draw of your laser. Its by no means a guaranteed way to determine its power, but it could provide a clue here.

I might be much more powerful than 5mW, but labeled as <5mW to avoid problems with ebay policy and/or customs. This is a dangerous practise, but it does happen often.

My 5mW 405nm measure app. 200mA with 2x1.5V.
With driver and diode efficiency that match pretty well the app. 50mW others have reported for the same type.

They are likely not made lower.

udanis said:

Well a lot of people including myself have gotten WAY over spec (40-60) 5mw lasers from ebay. Mine can pop a balloon. There is no way a true 5mw can do that. I'd suspect your is up there too.

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yours can pop a balloon? could i have a link where you bought it? i'd buy one to check by myself

I got 31mw on my "<5mw" 405 from china cost me less than 10 bucks.

If you every get really curious I can always check it on my LPM