High-Power Laser Lights: What 20000 Lumens Means for Outdoor RGB Laser Shows
When shopping for high-power Laser Lights, you’ll often come across specs like “100W power” or “20,000 lumens brightness.” These impressive figures may look great on paper, but what do they actually mean in real-world applications, especially for Outdoor Laser Lights?
If you're a lighting professional, event planner, or AV technician looking to invest in IP65-rated Professional Laser Lights, it's essential to understand how wattage, lumens, beam divergence, and scanner performance work together to deliver a compelling visual experience. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between power and brightness, compare three flagship Waterproof RGB Laser models, and explain how to choose the right one for your event or installation.
How Many Lumens Do I Need for Outdoor Laser Shows?
Laser wattage typically refers to the combined optical power output of red, green, and blue laser diodes. For example, a 100W RGB laser might consist of a 30W red diode, a 30W green diode, and a 40W blue diode. However, the electrical power consumed doesn't directly indicate how bright the laser appears. That’s where lumens come into play.
So, how many lumens do I need for an outdoor laser show? For outdoor projection over long distances or in environments with high ambient light, 20,000 to 30,000 lumens is ideal. Depending on optical efficiency and beam divergence, a 100W RGB laser can deliver between 20,000 and 30,000 lumens. These 20000 lumens levels are significantly brighter than standard lighting, making laser lighting ideal for large outdoor shows, stage events, or architectural lighting.
Real-World Power vs. Distance: How Far Can Each Wattage Reach?
To better understand how laser wattage translates into coverage area and use case, here's a practical reference guide:
| Power (W) | Estimated Projection Range | Typical Application Scenarios |
| 30W | Up to 1 KM | Theme parks, entertainment venues, smaller outdoor shows |
|
40W |
1.5–2 KM | Medium-sized outdoor performances, scenic |
| 50W | 2–2.5 KM | City squares, festival installations, public |
| 60W | 2.5–3 KM | Large outdoor shows, commercial lighting |
| 70W | 3–4 KM | Mountain projections, music festivals, major event openings |
| 100W | 4–5 KM | Landmark buildings, skyscraper beams, cross-river light shows |
Is Higher Lumens Brighter? Understanding What 20000 Lumens Means
Yes, is higher lumens brighter? Absolutely. How bright is a lumen? One lumen is equivalent to the light of a single candle from one meter away. So, 20000 lumen light is like having 20,000 candles focused in a coherent beam. Compared to a typical 20000 lumen shop light, lasers deliver far more visual impact due to their coherence and sharp beam projection.
To give some lumens examples, a 100W incandescent bulb outputs around 1,600 lumens. A 100W RGB laser, on the other hand, produces 20000 lumens laser brightness or more, which is why laser projection is so dramatically more visible.
Choosing the Right Waterproof RGB Laser for Your Event
When choosing a high-power RGB laser, brightness isn’t everything. Beam divergence and scanner performance are just as important. A laser with low divergence (e.g., 1.2 mrad) and fast scanning speeds (e.g., 40Kpps) can project stable, sharp graphics over several kilometers without distortion.
All three models discussed below are IP65-rated, built to withstand dust, rain, and harsh weather. They feature rugged aluminum housings, sealed cable ports, and efficient TEC-based cooling systems for stable performance outdoors.
MA6 Series – 30W–60W RGB Laser: Ideal for mobile DJs, touring events, and commercial displays covering 1–3 km.
The MA6 Series offers flexible power options from 30W to 60W, making it ideal for mobile events and professional setups that require both portability and performance.
30W–40W Versions: With effective throw distances up to 1.5–2 km, these are great for theme parks, entertainment venues, and medium-sized outdoor displays.
60W Version: Capable of reaching 2.5–3 km, this model is perfect for large outdoor performances and commercial lighting installations. It uses a 16W red, 20W green, and 24W blue configuration to deliver around 20,000 lumens of vivid brightness. The 40K scanning speed and 1.2mrad divergence ensure smooth beam effects and precise animations.
M7 – 70W RGB Laser: For Large Venues, City Landmarks, and Skyline Projections
With 70W of total laser power and a projection distance of up to 3–4 km, the M7 is designed for city-wide architectural lighting, high-rise building projections, and bridge-spanning light shows.
Whether you’re illuminating a skyline, tracing the outline of a skyscraper, or staging a city square celebration, the M7 delivers powerful color output, full ILDA/DMX control compatibility, and industry-standard IP65 protection. This makes it the go-to choice for professional production crews and architectural designers.
MF5700 FB4 – 130W RGB Laser: Designed for Long-Duration Outdoor Use and High-Profile Events
The MF5700 FB4 is tailored for long-duration outdoor use, permanent installations, and multimedia environments requiring precise control and seamless integration. With 130W of RGB laser power, 20,000 lumens brightness, and coverage distances of 5-6 km, it provides powerful, consistent projection suitable for large-scale, high-profile applications.
Its ideal use cases include:
Mountain projection mapping
Tourist attractions with permanent light installations
Music festivals with synchronized visual effects
Large-scale public events such as New Year’s Eve or national holidays
With FB4 built-in and support for ILDA, ArtNet, and DMX512, the MF5700 allows detailed programming and wide control compatibility. Its rugged build, fast scanning, and reliable output make it a favorite for professional engineers and lighting artists alike.
Conclusion: What Does 20000 Lumens Really Offer?
So next time you’re planning a major event and asking “how many lumens is bright enough?”—remember: a 20,000-lumen RGB laser isn’t just bright—it’s immersive, sharp, and impactful even from kilometers away.
Wattage is only one part of the equation. To truly make your outdoor laser show unforgettable, you’ll need to consider brightness, beam sharpness, color blending, scanning speed, control compatibility, and weatherproofing.
Whether you’re hosting a seasonal festival or installing a permanent light sculpture, understanding brightness levels like 20,000 lumens—and choosing the right power level for your range and application—will help you make a more confident decision.
Need help finding the right model? Contact MIYA today to explore our full range of waterproof RGB laser lights, and get personalized advice based on your project’s needs.