A laser range finder is a pretty nifty tool to have on hand, whether you’re an engineer that needs to take quick measurements or a homeowner looking to do a few quick renovations around the house.
Yet the question begs itself: what does your typical laser-based range finder have to offer in the first place?
How Laser Range Finders Work
Laser range finders shoot a highly-concentrated beam of light at a target. The device then measures the time it takes for pulses of light to hit the target and back to the finder. It compares the measured times with the known speed of light and then averages the measurements to produce a pretty accurate and reliable measurement of distance.
Some range finders even allow you to measure the distance of a wallface by using the Pythagorean Theorem. You form a right triangle by measuring the distance between two points of a wall, and the laser distance meter calculates the third ‘side’ of the triangleusing the equation “a2 + b2 = c2”. Measuring two sides of the triangle gives you two of the values neededto solve for the third side – the wall face – and a properly equipped laser range finder will do the calculating for you.
The principle behind laser distance measurers is applicable for measuring temperature and rotation speeds as well. You have laser tachometers that measure the rotational speeds of various objects, from car wheels to fan blades. Then you have laser thermometers that allow you to measure the temperature of a fire, oven or furnace from a safe distance.
Who Uses Laser Range Finders?
Laser distance measurers are pretty useful whenever you need to measure the distance between two or more objects in a short amount of time. Grab a pen or tap down the values on a tablet and you’ll be able to take down measurements in no time at all when compared to other methods like using a ruler or tape measure.
A few fields that can make especially good use of use laser range finders include:
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Construction
- Golf
- Archery
- Precision Manufacturing
- Inventory Management
- Military
- Hunting
- Different Models, Different Results
Do note, however, that not all laser range finders are created equal.
Some models are designed purely to measure the distances between one point and another. Having no frills attached helps reduce both price and size. Other models have a few extra computational capabilities built in, like the aforementioned ability to measure a face wall. Still other models boost the specifications all the way up to 11 – like how military-grade long range laser measurers can measure the distance of objects 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away.
Safety Concerns
As a general rule, it is never a good idea to shine a laser into the eyes of anyone – much less the beams coming from a laser range finder.
Most finders are in the Class I laser rating. These low-power models don’t present much of a threat when briefly flashing across the eyes of a person. Still not a good idea to flash the light on a person’s eyes for prolonged periods of time, especially when the aforementioned person is using optical instruments.
Other high-power laser range finders, however, drift into the Class II category. The human eyes will feel some discomfort and will reflexively blink to avoid this pain. However, fighting the blink reflex and prolonged exposure to this light can (and often will) cause serious eye injury.
Know a bit about what laser measurers are, what they can do, and a few of the more basic bits to keep in mind? Good – now you know how to make the most of a laser range finder when you finally get your hands on one!
Chinavasion is a Shenzhen-based gadget wholesaler that offers a wide array of laser range finders. Visit Chinavasion.com today to learn more about these range finders as well as the other products on sale!
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