With a distance meter you can of course measure distances, but the (usually) digital device can often do much more. For example, it calculates areas and volumes of a room, it can also easily add and subtract several distances.
A camera and timer are also sometimes on board. In short, a distance meter is a very handy tool for (larger) jobs such as renovations and designs. It is often also used at events such as sports competitions. There are several types of distance meters.
Best Selling Laser Distance Meters:
How does a Laser measure work?
Although most people think of a rangefinder as a state-of-the-art device with all imaginable bells and whistles, this instrument has been around for a very long time. However, the current batch of distance measuring instruments are indeed almost all of the digital rangefinder type based on laser, infrared and / or ultrasonic signals. However, the first rangefinders were still completely analog and were mainly used to determine the distance from ship to ship at sea.
However, the most commonly used technique for a so-called range finder is the laser principle. With the rangefinder, a laser beam is aimed at the object whose distance is to be determined. It is then measured how long the reflection needs to return to the rangefinder. To this end, the focus is mainly on the phase difference between the sent and incoming signal. In addition to laser rangefinders, there are also infrared rangefinders, but the laser-guided rangefinder is by far the favorite for most jobs today.
Measuring surface, accuracy and calibration of the distance meter
Not every rangefinder can be used in the same way, so pay attention to this before ordering your measuring instrument. Depending on the design of the rangefinder, it can be measured from the front or back. Furthermore, this is not so exciting for the precise operation of the instrument, it just depends on where the controls and any display are placed. Just like the measuring range, the accuracy with which this is done is also indicated for each type of measuring instrument.
A measuring instrument can also be calibrated to guarantee that accuracy. Most types of range finder are less suitable for very accurate measurements, because then, for example, methods such as triangulation must be used. Doppler techniques are often used for moving objects. However, most range meters are intended for non-moving objects.
Measuring range: minimum and maximum range
Not every measuring instrument is suitable for every measuring job. This has mainly to do with the measuring range. A laser distance meter has an average measuring range of about 5 centimeters to about 200 meters. In our range, the specific range is indicated for each distance meter. In principle, the full range is never reached, they are always more or less “specialists”: shorter distances or longer distances, the choice is yours.
There are some things you should pay attention to. For example, it is wise to work with a target plate that reflects the laser light at longer distances, from 100 meters. It is also sometimes difficult to work with the red laser light in daylight. There are therefore versions that work with aiming aids, usually a kind of additional eyepiece. Handles, stands and additional adjustment options also contribute to the accuracy of the instrument.
Laser Measure Additional functions
Many of our rangefinders have extra functions on board. In principle, the more expensive the device, the more accurately it works and the more functions it has. Almost all of them have calculation functions on board to determine the distances. With calculation functions you can think of addition, subtraction and calculating area and volume (ie volume). More advanced models also have the option of determining the height of an object.
Sometimes a camera is also built into the measuring instrument that can fulfill various functions. A timer is also possible, so that measurements can be taken during a certain – pre-set – time without anyone having to be present. A final extra function is height measurement, something that is sometimes useful for accuracy or as an extra value for determining follow-up actions.
What else you should pay attention to
Sometimes the operation of a measuring instrument is hindered by the circumstances of the situation. These can influence the measurement results in a very annoying way. A typical example: some laser beams sometimes reflect leaves or branches closer to the object. This produces a reflection that is too early and therefore a distance value that is too low.
Over distances longer than roughly 350 meters, the target can also (virtually of course) disappear in a kind of mirage, caused by the heated surface. All these effects must be taken into account. Finally, distance meters are also used for measuring distances in sports. This can be done both for determining the dimensions of playing fields, for example, and for determining a distance traveled. Think, for example, of spearheads, bullet shots and similar activities.