In order to improve laser communication link performance, turbulence strength is an important parameter to characterize the system’s correcting limits and detection availability. By setting an experimental optical link through free space horizontal propagation in a 1-km path, we study the strength of different turbulence scenarios through the Rytov approximation and scintillation of the beam, and compare methods of experimental detection of the refractive-index structure constant of the turbulence, Cn2. Results show that, under low and medium turbulence regimes, both methods behave similiarly as a way to predict Cn2; however, with larger turbulence strength, the beam’s displacements in the focal plane are more sensitive than the intensity fluctuactions.