"Casey Wilson" N2310D @ gmail.com wrote in

If I may change to a different laser wavelength with a conforming
lens, a 1 megawatt laser will cause nearly instantaneous, and
irreversible, damage at ranges beyond one mile.
I agree with Happy Dog. The toys being bandied about here, and what
are available on the consumer market, are virtually harmless. On the other
hand, a NdYAG for example, is NOT in the visible spectrum and you wouldn't
know to look away until that blurry spot appeared in your visual field.
Same with CO2 and a host of other weapons grade gadgets.

NdYAGs are available in visible wavelengths. As for UV or IR lasers, how
would you aim them?

moo