Laser Rangefinder: What I Should Know About It?

For many applications, it is important to measure the distance accurately, so that the right tools or decisions can be taken. Using conventional methods like a measuring tape for distance measurement are inconvenient and cannot be used for many applications. Hence, increasingly people are using a laser rangefinder to conveniently and quickly measure the distance for many applications ranging from sports, hunting to law enforcement. Before purchasing or using a rangefinder, a user should understand how a rangefinder works, factors determining its range and the different options available.digital 7x golf rangefinder review

The laser rangefinder is using a laser beam for accurately estimating the distance. A laser beam is fired, and it will bounce off the target. The time taken for the beam to bounce often the target is measured. Since the speed of light is fixed, the time taken is then used to calculate the distance of the target. It should be noted that this is not a very accurate way of measuring distances, there may be errors of approximately a yard, since the speed of light is very high, and the distance is usually less. However, it is a fairly accurate way of conveniently measuring the distance for most applications.

Another important consideration while using a laser rangefinder under 100 is that the accuracy depends on the type of target, whether the signal will bounce back. For example softer targets like the bodies of wild animals like deers being hunted, the human body will absorb some of the energy of the laser beam, and the signal which will bounce back will not be very strong. So the distance which can be measured for living creatures will be less. On the other hand, hard surfaces like rocks and metal objects will not absorb the signal and it will be reflected back, so a long distance can be measured.

The accuracy of the rangefinder depends on whether it is able to receive the signal which has bounced back. So if the laser beam is absorbed by the target and does not bounce back, the distance will not be measured. Similarly, a dark surface will not reflect the beam. Hence the distance measured by a specific rangefinder will greatly depend on the target which is selected. Additionally, in specific weather conditions like heavy rainfall or snowfall, the water may reflect the laser beam which has been fired, and it may not be possible to measure the distance to the target very accurately.

There is a wide range of rangefinders being sold and many of them are customized for specific sports like golf. The rangefinder is used to measure the distance of the target so that the player can choose the right club while playing golf. For hunting, forestry and long-range shooting the rangefinder helps in estimating the distance of the wildlife or other targets, so that the rifle can be chosen accordingly. While hunting, the leaves may cover the animal, so the rangefinder for golf and hunting is useful in finding animals. In the military, real estate, construction, mining, and 3D modeling applications, the rangefinders are also used to calculate distances accurately and quickly.