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 type of situation where a highly visible pointer is needed.

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

They have practical uses, but they seem to have been adopted as something fun for geeks. It’s what’s in style if you want to look great.

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

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

If you were to buy several in different colors, you could set up your own type of laser show, which would look quite 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, i.e. only 1mW 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. Not only would it damage the person’s eyes, but it could be a safety hazard due to the distracting factor.

I think if I were going hiking in the mountains, or anywhere 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 case of a rescue situation. .

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

There are rechargeable models that 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 extra expense in 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 the prices and quality of the 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.