Laser Rangefinder Photography Shack
Laser Rangefinder To Determine Distances
By Cedric B Georges
Over the course of time there have been many things
used to measure the distance from point A to B. From
pacing to wheels, different methods have been employed
to calculate the distance between two objects.
The reasons for such evaluations are many, from the
golfer looking to gauge the distance to the nearest
hole, on to the land surveyor looking to establish a
position from a known point. Yet, all those methods
pale in comparison to using a laser rangefinder to establish
a distance. You can find these lasers in both binocular
and monocular form and this is a great way to find the
information you are seeking.
In simplistic terms, a laser rangefinder works by firing
a short laser pulse at a target, and measuring the amount
of time it takes for the beam to reflect back. An integrated
circuit then calculates the distance covered in that
time. Prior to 1987, this technology was reserved for
the military and high end institutions.
Handheld Consumer Rangefinders Are Popular
Thereafter, handheld consumer versions began to appear
and became popular within the golfing community. Since
that time, numerous applications have been found, with
hunting being at the top of the list. Originally available
as standalone devices, they have recently become popular
binocular accessories, built into the field glasses.
With all this technology on optical components, there
is a downfall. The laser beam needs to be able to reflect
back in order to calculate the range. This also limits
the distance to about 1500 yards, in consumer versions,
as greater distances prevent accurate reflection.
Alternately, an object behind trees or brush may become
obscured, with early returns providing inaccurate measurements.
The technology is still rather expensive, as a Nikon
Monarch monocular system will cost around $400. Lower
end systems with a reduced range can be had for less
than $100. Specialized optical systems with increased
range, and designed for harsh environments, are available
for in excess of $17,000!
Low Power Low Range Units Are Available For General Use
Depending on your needs, a laser rangefinder may be
useful for you. Products for golfers and hunters still
dominate the market, but new niche markets with many
options to review, are evolving daily. Car manufacturers
are beginning to integrate them into new models as safety
features. Survey crews regularly use them, and low power,
low range units are becoming available for general use.
As the technology progresses, units will become smaller,
lighter and less expensive. Will they replace the tape
measure as a standard tool? Maybe not, but they sure
make it easy to decide which club to use on the back
nine!
About the Author:
Cedric B Georges has written a number of articles on
digital photography including 35mm
Cameras, Best
Digital Camera, First
5 Megapixel Camera, People
in Photos, Image
Editor Software, Cheap
Digital Cameras, Digital
Camera Memory Card, Baby
Birth Announcements, Leather
Photo Albums.
Keep a lookout as more articles from this popular author
on this website in the near future.
More Binoculars Facts....
There are many sports out there for you to become involved
with and to enjoy all year long. But you do not have
to be a sporting enthusiast with a weapon in order to
enjoy nature.
When springtime rolls around and the world begins to
turn green, you can get outside and check out the new
baby animals as they enter the world. But you want to
stay away from them because a mad mama is the last thing
you want chasing you through the woods. The solution
is a pair of binoculars to observe the animals from
a distance.
It is a time to enjoy the blossoming life and see all
that there is to see with the new born animals and older
animals venturing out. The best way to observe these
creatures is through the telescopic lenses of binoculars.
You can find a pair of these miraculous wonders in many
sporting good stores and online.
Any sporting enthusiast or bird watcher can attest
that there is one piece of equipment that is absolutely
essential and that is a binocular. Binoculars are optical
devices used to look at objects far away.
They are not as powerful as a telescope but they do
the job pretty effectively. They allow the sporting
and bird watching enthusiast to get an up close view
of animals without putting themselves or the animal
in danger.
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