Long range laser pointer for outdoor pointing and work

Colour decides the range

All our lasers have the same class 2 output up to 1 mW. What makes the difference outdoors is the colour, because the eye is far more sensitive to green than to red or violet. That is why a green laser pointer is the only sensible choice for long range use.

What affects how far you can see the dot

• Ambient light: the darker it is, the further the dot shows. Dusk and dawn are the sweet spot for outdoor pointing.
• The surface: a light, matt surface in the shade shows the dot best. Dark foliage, wet tarmac and glass swallow or scatter it.
• Weather: haze, rain and fog scatter the light and shorten the range; clear, dry air helps.
• A steady hand: at a few hundred metres even a small wobble moves the dot a long way. Brace your arm on a wall, a fence post or your knee.

Best models for outdoor and long range use

For outdoor work we recommend a rechargeable green Pro model. The G3 Pro is the all-rounder with an 18650 cell and two safety keys. The compact G2 Pro fits a jacket pocket on a walk or a site visit. The G1 Pro adds a removable pattern lens. Prefer AAA batteries? The X1 green laser pen has the same green dot in a pen format.

Typical outdoor uses: pointing out damage on a roof or gutter to a roofer, showing a route or landmark on a hike, guiding a team on a large site, moving birds on at dusk (see laser pointer for scaring birds) and showing stars on a camping trip (see laser pointer for astronomy).

Tips for pointing at long distances

When you show someone a distant object, stand side by side so you both look along the same line. Put the dot on something nearby first, then walk it slowly towards the target so the other person can follow. Switch off between explanations: a dot that keeps wandering is confusing, and it saves battery.

Why we do not sell "longer range" lasers

You will find lasers online promising many kilometres. They are higher-power lasers that are not intended for sale to the public in the UK, and they can cause permanent eye damage in a fraction of a second, even by reflection. A class 2 green laser shows a dot at approx. 1 km in the dark, which covers almost every practical job. More in our class 2 brightness guide and how far can a laser pointer go.

Safety outdoors

Outdoors the beam travels a long way, so check what is behind your target. Never aim across roads, at vehicles, aircraft, people or animals' eyes, and avoid windows, water and metal that reflect. Shining a laser at a vehicle or aircraft is a criminal offence in the UK. See laser pointer safety.