red beam

[CL_]

ok, so im curious, how strong would a red laser have to be to see the beam if it was pointing at you, i just bought it, it was only $3 and it ha a built in led, im curious if maybe its overpowered.... it says that it is 630 - 680 nm, kinda a wide range, but im curious

 

[RA_pierce]

It depends on the wavelength. 635 is pretty bright. 650, not so much. But either way 5mW should be enough to see the beam at night when it's pointed at you.
I had a 5mW 650nm and a 5mW 630-660nm (probably closer to 635 than anything else) and both were bright enough to see the beam. It wasn't really solid, but it was a beam.
The atmosphere also helps. Obviously moisture and fog makes it brighter.

 

[CL_]

ya, i dont think its too humid outside, the air is so dry that the rain is evaporating b4 it hits the ground, lol no joke, but thanks, i guess i cant really know what the wavelength is bc the range on the sticker is so large

 

[RA_pierce]

If the color is more orange-ish then it's probably close to 635nm. A cherry red is about 650nm. There is a post in the reviews section with an atlasnova 635nm pointer compared to a 650nm pointer. It has pictures you could use to compare to yours.

 

[styropyro]

My first laser pinter said 630nm-680nm, I'm sure it was 650nm though. a 5mW 650nm can be seen in a really dark area, especially if it is pointed at you. A 5mW 635nm laser is much more visible, but not near as bright as green.

 

[CL_]

hmm thanks, i know that green is more visible because i saw a chart on light visibility, but it does look kinda orangish and less cherry like

 

[styropyro]

hmm thanks, i know that green is more visible because i saw a chart on light visibility, but it does look kinda orangish and less cherry like

To me, up close to the dots 650nm and 635nm look near the same, they both look orangish red, but when I point them far away the 650nm looks more red and the 635nm keeps its orange color.