The Laser Rangefinder - A Remarkable Instrument
The following extract is from a series of consumer electronic articles and videos about binoculars …
“How distant is that?” This is a question most of us have asked at one time or another. From the surveyor looking to establish a position from a known point, to the hunter|hunters zeroing in on his sights, to the golfer on approach to the green, they all need to calculate an accurate distance. Many tools and methods have been used for measuring. Tapes, wheels, and even pacing have been used, but none are as simple or accurate as the laser rangefinder. Found in binocular and monocular form, all you have to do is set your sight on an object, push a button, and an accurate measurement, from your position to the object, is read back for you.
The basics of a laser rangefinder are pretty simple when you think about it. A short pulse of a laser is fired at a set target and the time it takes to bounce back is measured. The internal system of the range finder calculates the distance between yourself and the object, and that measurement is the given feet, yards etc. It all started as technology used for the military and certain institutions, yet handheld versions for personal use have become popular, especially in the golfing community. You can even find binocular accessories to go with the laser range finders nowadays!
With all this technology on optical components, there is a down side. The laser beam needs to be able to reflect back in order to calculate the range. This also narrows the distance to around 1500 yards, in consumer models, as larger distances affect the tool’s ability to provide an accurate reflection. Alternately, an object behind trees or brush can become obscured, with early returns giving inaccurate readings. The technology is still rather expensive, as a Nikon Monarch monocular system will cost around $400. Lower end systems with a narrower range can be had for less than $100. Specialized optical systems with increased range, and designed for harsh environments, can run to in excess of $17,000!
There are many different applications for which you can use a laser rangefinder. Professional and amateur golfers and hunters still make up a large portion of the consumer market but new applications are being found for the laser binocular rangefinders and monoculars. These instruments are not quite as pricey as they once were, so more people are now finding everyday uses around their homes for a laser range finder. It certainly makes hanging those art prints easier!
For more information on consumer electronics, visit: Optical Devices
This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 8:30 am and is filed under Father's Day Gifts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply