Beam really dull?

[r1Bro]

Okay so I extracted the red diode from a GGW sled, its running around 400mA. It smoked my pliars handles (which are made from some squishy black plastic smelling material) so I would guess its got to be atleast 100-150mW right? Anyways this is my first red and my question is why can't I see the beam very well? I have a 5mw green and a 200ish 405nm and it doesn't come close to either. The only way I can see the red beam is outside. Is this just how reds are? Or does it have to do with the diode I used? A LCC from a GGW sled

 

[AnthoT]

Well if your eyesight is similar to mine then you likely see lower wavelenghs better, for some people it's just like that,
One guy can see no beam with 500mw 405 & one guy can see it @ 100Mw 405
I have a red I can't see too strongly but I had built an LCC & it was not noticeable for me either, then I made an LPC & it's a little better but it's not spectacular

Edit: madmaco made a much better explanation

 

[kaunak]

Id have to agree with the above posters that is has to do with how the average human eyes perceive red light. Some people can see certain wavelengths better than others but I think most people would have a hard time seeing a 100mw red laser beam at night nevermind in the day.. I have a 200mw red and it can be hard to see at night depending on humidity ect

 

[r1Bro]

Okay thanks everyone just wanted to make sure it wasn't the diode Yea I see 405nm really well but to my friend its dull so I guess its just my eyes

 

[Blord]

The LCC from a GGW sled is a 650nm red diode. I don't think the IR diode will run at 400mA. It will instantly flash and died. The dot should be bright but the beam isn't visible as well. The red beam is more thicker than blue/green which makes power density also lesser. However the collimation of the red diode is much better.