What is a rangefinder?
A rangefinder is an electronic device which measures the distance from the user to a specific object. The application possibilities are diverse, but this device is widely used in photography. Saving time plays an important role, as the rangefinder quickly shows an exact distance. This will give you enough information to choose a suitable lens for your camera. In addition to applications in photography, a rangefinder is often used by real estate agents, animal spotters and architects. If your camera, binoculars or telescope does not have a built-in rangefinder, a separate device can help The distance over which this device can measure ranges from 10 metres in cheaper models, up to 800 metres in high-quality models. Many rangefinders have clear LCD screens for displaying measurements.
Types of rangefinders
There are different types of rangefinders that work electronically. The main types are those that use laser and those that are ultrasonic. We've explained a couple of these below:
- Laser: Rangefinders equipped with a laser send out an impulse, which is then received by its receiver. The distance can be determined by measuring the time between the sending of the impulse to it being recorded by the receiver. A laser rangefinder is known to work very accurately for both indoor and outdoor use. Strong sunlight or rain can adversely affect the measurement.
- Ultrasonic: This type of rangefinder sends out signals via ultrasonic technology, after which the reflection is received by its receiver. Just like with laser technology, the time in between is used to measure the distance to the object. These devices can determine the distance very accurately, especially in empty spaces. This type of rangefinder has more difficulty determining the correct distance outdoors or in conditions where there are many obstacles.
Functions
The most important function of a rangefinder is of course measuring the distance to the object. With current techniques, however, the models have many other functions that are important under different circumstances. Another important function measuring the area or volume in a certain space. This function can be useful for determining storage capacity or the dimensions of a room. In addition, minimum and maximum measurements can be set on some models, which can also be used for measuring rooms with curved walls. In addition to measuring a single distance, there's an option to add several measurements together. Other functions include measuring altitude, velocity and sharing via Bluetooth.
