A green laser pointer can shoot a beam for 80 miles.

This type of laser beam was originally used as a pointer in conference rooms, or perhaps a surveyor would have used it when looking at construction sites. In fact, any kind of situation where a highly visible pointer would be needed.

astronomers [amateur] you can use them to highlight the stars and skies for your searches.

They have practical uses, but seem to have been adopted as something fun for geeks. It is what is fashionable if you want to be seen great.

These pointers come in different colors, all with different beam strengths. Green seems to be the most easily captured by the eye. The human eye is more sensitive to green than red or blue apparently.

A green laser pointer at only 532nm will beat a red one at 650nm hands down. Red only appears as a dot, the beam disappears in dark conditions. Green works even better in the dark and is a continuous beam that extends for miles. I have seen a provider that quotes the distance at around 80 miles. Phew, that’s some distance.

If you had to buy several in different colors, you could set up your own kind of laser show, which would look pretty spectacular.

When using a laser pointer in a public place attended by members of the public, there are rules and regulations on the power of the beam that can be used, ie only 1 mW of laser light. Each country has its own set of guidelines for the use of these laser pointers.

Their indiscriminate use can pose a danger, especially if they are directed at someone’s eyes and, more specifically, if that person was driving a vehicle or flying an airplane. It would not only damage the person’s eyes, but could be a safety hazard due to the distraction factor.

I think if I were to go hiking in the mountains, or anywhere where people were scarce, I would grab one of these green laser pointers and hopefully if I get lost it will help people find me in the event of a rescue situation. .

People use them for fun these days, popping balloons, lighting matches, even safety matches with them.

There are rechargeable models which make it probably cheaper to use than having to keep buying new batteries.

It should be noted that green laser pointers do emit quite a bit of infrared radiation, but the best products have a built-in filter. Some manufacturers of cheaper models don’t want the added expense of producing the filters, so they don’t install them. I would recommend that you pay a little more and get one with a filter, for the sake of your own eyesight and that of others.

As with anything you buy, do your homework and check out the various prices. There is a lot of difference in prices and quality of products, so it is best to look at all the products available, or as many as you can, and decide which one would give you better value for money.