mW ratings???

[laserfreak]

Ok....so I just got a WL Core.... which is a 5mW laser... And the beam isn't that bright.. When I shine it through smoke or fog, the laser beam becomes bright.

What I was wondering is, at around what mW does a green beam become clearly visible without aids (smoke, fog, dust), and at what mW does a beam become solid and bright green?

Thanks guys!!

 

[KGB_Productions]

The laser beam is only visible when it can reflect off of "smoke, fog, or dust" that is in the air. In a vacuum you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between 5mw and 5W.

 

[ossumguywill]

It depends. The closer you are to sea level and the more moisture that is in the air the brighter the beam appears. But for a very clear beam in a dark night you want to go 50mW+ green, and for a reliable lightsaber-ish beam you want 100mW plus green.A red or violet laser is much less bright per mW than a green.