Make your own lazer range finder for less than £60

[Arbmatic]

Well it isn't a lazer range finder, it is actually more acurate.

It does soound a bit Blue Peter though. What you need it two cheap digital cameras a stiff piece of steel plate and some gaffer tape. Unless your maths is pretty good you will need some software as well. You can do it all in for around £60 inc vat. What you need to to is gaffertape your two cameras side by side keeping them both in the same focal plane with the steel plate and the gaffer tape. You can then take sets of stereoscopic photos, You will need to calibrate the camera pairs and you will need to be able to make measurements in the photos, hence the software need. But the calibration would take around 20 mins and you can pick up the measuring softawre for around £20. The cheapest fixed lense cameras are actually best for this and you can pick them up at a well know supermarket or online for between £20 and £30 each.

 

If this interest you pm me and I can send you more details. No charge, all free, no catches, just a bit lengthy thats all so wont fit on this site.

[Arbmatic]

Sorry just found a cheaper camera on line so make that less than £40!

 

Stereoscopy is the field if you are interested.

 

Enjoy

[Daniël Bos]

but would it be £100 better, easier, more durable, more accurate and quick?

[Arbmatic]

Accuracy: the OS use this method to. correct their laser data.

It us a direct method rather than a reflected method.

Durability, I hmethodd my digital camera for 10 years.

Quick: you take two photos.

Better: you get a photographic record.

 

Also if you area starting out and don't have much cash what is £100 worth.

[Arbmatic]

Just hardly a thought, if you have two old digital cameras kicking around you could use them. They don't have to be the same camera.

[hazzygawa]

I like to use the age old method of the stick in the sightline of the tree.

It is accurate...... .... .. .

 

To within +- 100ft

 

[Arbmatic]

OK you can get a bracket from Jessops that holds the two cameras firmly. It is actually a flash bracket and you need a spare camera screw. Comes in at just over £10. I would personnaly fix it with some gaffer tape as well but that is just me.

 

Google stereoscopic distance measurement

 

TO find out more