green line generator beam brightness? newbie help!

So I'm pretty much a complete newb when it comes to laser stuff. I'm trying to have the line PLANE of a green laser be visible. I already have a line beam generator optic of 180degrees, but I wasn't sure if I should stick with a (US legal) 5mW module or try to get a 50mW laser module ($15.95 on eBay, ships from HK).

It would be indoor/low light or outdoor/night setting.

Also maybe I should get a smaller line generator if I want the beam to be more powerful(visible)? preferably I would like it to be a length of 45degrees or so.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

A more power full laser will be more visible, by going to a 45 you will only reduce the amount of line you have, it really should not get any brighter.

The power density in a 45 degree line is higher than in a 120 degree line. Therefore, the 45 degree line will be brighter.

Flaminpyro said:

A more power full laser will be more visible, by going to a 45 you will only reduce the amount of line you have, it really should not get any brighter.

Click to expand...

You need to understand that the same Laser beam's Power is
spread over a larger area in a 180 deg beam from the Laser
than a 45 deg beam from the same Laser.

A 180 deg beam line spread will be much longer (more surface
area and less power density) than a 45 deg beam line spread at
the same distance..


Jerry

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