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How to Calibrate a Laser Rangefinder

Today, rangefinders are an advanced tool that has become part of our day-to-day lives due to technology. Rangefinders are useful tools for determining how far an object is from the user. Laser rangefinders measure distance by focusing a beam of light on the target. A sensor helps to detect objects by detecting the light that they emit.

In order to make use of this eyepiece, users of laser rangefinders need to resolve several issues to use this device effectively. Calibration is the only way to alleviate this problem so that you can use it for golf, hunting, etc.

If you are looking for accurate results from using a laser rangefinder, then you must be aware of calibrating it well before using it. This is one of the most critical processes you need to undergo before using it.

How can laser rangefinders be calibrated? To see how this can be done. Let’s read on to get an idea of how this works.

What is a laser rangefinder?

This type of rangefinder also referred to as a laser telemeter, uses a laser beam to measure the distance from an object to the source of the beam in order to calculate how far it is.

In general, laser rangefinders calculate their distance by calculating the time it takes for a laser pulse to reflect off the target and return to the unit. This is known as the time-of-flight principle.

Since it can’t be used for high precision sub-millimetre measurements because of light speed, other methods are often used instead, like triangulation.

 

How to Calibrate The Laser Rangefinder?

You should always perform a laser rangefinder calibration before using it for the first time. Here are a few steps you can follow in order to calibrate laser rangefinders for accuracy in the field and be able to have flawless results in the field.

 

Aim the laser as far

So, the first thing we need to do is aim the laser at a distance. It is a good idea to aim the laser beam as far away as possible before triggering the laser for calibration. The best way to ensure that your measurements are accurate is to lay down a long measuring tape smooth on the ground before you start measuring.

Put the tape and target at different points.

To assist you in the testing process, it is recommended that you place contrasting targets along with the tape at various points in the course of the test.

If you put yourself in this position with the laser eyepiece over the “0” mark on the tape, the laser eyepiece should be over the “0” mark on the tape, which should be determined by which mark is over the laser eyepiece.

It is also possible to set up where the ‘0’ end will be attached to a reflective target, and the “0” end will be attached to the tape; then, you can walk down the tape, shoot back at the target and note where you have checked out as soon as you have clicked over to it.

 

For a known distance

If you want to shoot a known distance, let us say at a distance of 40 yards (or meters).

Move the target close/far from the assistant until you reach a distance of 40 yards (or meters) until you reach the “click-over” or inflection point. When performing this step, the target’s position relative to the tape should always be kept in mind.

A laser rangefinder should be calibrated over a broad range of distances to determine the variation and, if required, determine whether a correction factor is necessary.

 

Click-over measurement

It is recommended that you use the click-over reading of your laser rangefinder when it reads 40 yards at a range of 40.6 yards. If so, you should then use the value of 40.6 yards when your laser shows the 40-yard click-over reading.

The distance measurement part of the tree height can actually be a few inches off if your laser rangefinder is calibrated correctly.

 

Conclusion

In order to get perfect use of the laser rangefinder while you are playing golf or hunting, the laser rangefinder must be calibrated. Unless you have a precise range distance, you will not get the best results, and this will cause your endeavour to fail.

If you do any calibration yourself, you will alter the manufacturer’s settings unless you are qualified. Therefore, it is possible that your testing equipment will result in errors in previously precise measurements.

Calibration of your device should be done three to twelve months before using it to ensure that the data you receive is accurate. Now that you know how to calibrate your laser rangefinder, so just give it a try, and you are sure to get the best results using laser rangefinder

About the author

David Frew