Difference in LASER powers? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Myk9noseknows · 04-08-2008, 12:45 PM

I don't really know much about electricity. Heck, I've burned out the bulb on my SureFire because I put rechargeable batteries in it

Anyways, I'm looking at the new enVogue green lasers and have no clue as to what the different power amounts mean. I know it's Nanometer and Milliwatt and such, but don't know what that correlates to.
Anyone one who grew up in a RadioShack know the differences and the Pro's/Con's to each?

532nm
35Mw
635nm

robinsre · 04-08-2008, 01:06 PM

nm(or nanometers) correlates to the wavelength of the light produced by the laser, and therefore it's color.

Red lasers will be closer to 700nm and Blue lasers will be closer to 400 nm Green will generally between 500-550 nm.

mW (or Mili-Watts) corresponds to the POWER of the laser (i.e how much energy is generated (in joules) per second by the laser unit)

Your average red laser pointer is < 5 mW

Lasers for sighting purposes are generally about 5 mW.

For comparison's sake a > 10mW green laser can light matches and pop a balloon at point blank range.

**jmichna** · 04-08-2008, 03:07 PM

If going with a green laser, make sure to read the specs very carefully. Because of the physics involved, green lasers are more sensitive to ambient temperature than red lasers. Chief advantage of the green lasers is they are more visible in daylight, and will be visible at a greater distance in daylight (not sure if any better in dark conditions). I believe that the power requirement for a given amount of light output is greater for a green light laser compared to red.

Myk9noseknows · 04-08-2008, 03:10 PM

Just the info I was looking for, thanks!

Yeah, I expect the green laser to drain battery power pretty quickly. It's not something I need, (i don't really believe in lasers on weapons, good shooting skills are necessary and a laser will give away your position), but it's a toy for my other toy (AR15 M4) and meant to be enjoyed.

04-08-2008, 12:45 PM	#1
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,763	Difference in LASER powers? I don't really know much about electricity. Heck, I've burned out the bulb on my SureFire because I put rechargeable batteries in it Anyways, I'm looking at the new enVogue green lasers and have no clue as to what the different power amounts mean. I know it's Nanometer and Milliwatt and such, but don't know what that correlates to. Anyone one who grew up in a RadioShack know the differences and the Pro's/Con's to each? 532nm 35Mw 635nm __________________ "When people need help, they call the Police. When Police need help, they call K-9"

04-08-2008, 01:06 PM	#2
robinsre XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,637	nm(or nanometers) correlates to the wavelength of the light produced by the laser, and therefore it's color. Red lasers will be closer to 700nm and Blue lasers will be closer to 400 nm Green will generally between 500-550 nm. mW (or Mili-Watts) corresponds to the POWER of the laser (i.e how much energy is generated (in joules) per second by the laser unit) Your average red laser pointer is < 5 mW Lasers for sighting purposes are generally about 5 mW. For comparison's sake a > 10mW green laser can light matches and pop a balloon at point blank range. __________________ Johnny was a chemist's son but Johnny is no more, what Johnny thought was H2O was H2SO4. Support bacteria, it's the only culture some people will ever have.' "Life exists at a level of complexity almost beyond our ability to comprehend, it's a well known fact that if you try to take apart a cat to see how it works one of the first things you have on your hands is a non-working cat" - Douglas Adams

04-08-2008, 03:07 PM	#3
jmichna XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 1,445	If going with a green laser, make sure to read the specs very carefully. Because of the physics involved, green lasers are more sensitive to ambient temperature than red lasers. Chief advantage of the green lasers is they are more visible in daylight, and will be visible at a greater distance in daylight (not sure if any better in dark conditions). I believe that the power requirement for a given amount of light output is greater for a green light laser compared to red. __________________ There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance— that principle is contempt prior to investigation. - Herbert Spencer ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal distribution of blessings, the inherent vice of Socialism is the equal distribution of misery." - Sir Winston Churchill

04-08-2008, 03:10 PM	#4
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,763	Just the info I was looking for, thanks! Yeah, I expect the green laser to drain battery power pretty quickly. It's not something I need, (i don't really believe in lasers on weapons, good shooting skills are necessary and a laser will give away your position), but it's a toy for my other toy (AR15 M4) and meant to be enjoyed. __________________ "When people need help, they call the Police. When Police need help, they call K-9"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode