Not a scientific test, but:
Unassisted naked (old) eyes/no night vision in the mostly dark back yard:
From/at the rear:
Brightest setting: light projected approx 10ft from rear of optic to my wood fence. Reticle extremely visible
Bright side of usable setting for low light: no projection. Reticle readily visible
From/at muzzle end:
Brightest setting: light projected maybe 1ft. forward of objective. Dot/reticle readily visible looking from muzzle to objective lens.
Bright side of usable low light setting: no projection of light, reticle not readily visible from muzzle end.
This without killflash installed and covers up....