State-of-the-art laser modules are valued due to their small design. The advantages of this design are, of course, restricted by the prevailing physical limitations. The thin laser beam that exits the housing has a relatively large divergence. This means that the dot produced on a surface becomes larger with increasing distance. For example, our standard laser modules have a divergence of 0.2 mrad. Put another way: with every meter of distance from the laser module, the dot increases by 0.2 mm. A dot that is 4.5 mm at the laser module increases to approximately 25 mm at a distance of 100 m.
At a standard eye-safe output power of 1 mW, the contrast is so weak at such a dot size that it can only be recognized in complete darkness.
We have taken three measures to address this limitation:
- We have expanded the laser beam in the module to 16 mm, thus achieving a divergence of 0.07 mrad.
- We have made the laser beam focusable at a distance of up to 200 m.
- Through the use of green laser light (520 nm), we have vastly improved the visibility over red light.
The result is the so-called long-range laser that produces a bright shiny green dot that has a diameter of 5.5 mm and is visible in daylight at a distance of 100 m.
Thus, this laser is the ideal tool for those who have to make adjustments at long distances.
