Personally, I've wanted a reliable laser capable of being easily seen at 25-50 yards in bright daylight... therefore a wider pattern would be preferred, and under $50. Although I don't know the OP's purpose, mine is so that I can easily point out tree limbs to workers to be cut down around 25 yards up. Some of these limbs are 3"- 4" thick with no leaves (dead) and a small laser is hard to aim when 70% of the area you are aiming at is air so you don't know where you are pointing it to shift to the branch. Something to assist on aiming would also benefit this.
However, I don't want to spend $500 on making a rail with laser and iron sights or scope for something I might use 4 times a year. I'm wondering if I should try to find a cheap 1 or 1.5 power 22 scope at W-fart and just tape an inexpensive pen laser to it... although I'd rather keep the bulk down if possible since I might have to take it to multiple properties in a briefcase.