The IR laser attachment will not function when it is pointed into the sky, and (object) view distance is set to 500m. It functions fine when pointed at objects or ground, but as soon as it is pointing into the sky and not contacting an object, the laser beam will just disappear. Adjusting aim to point at ground will bring it back.

Is this an intentional choice when view distance is at its lowest setting? Increasing view distance causes the issue to go away.