Rangefinders for Measuring Land
Rangefinders had been crafted to make measuring distance or ranging as people call it, easier. Especially for some circumstances that don’t allow the physical measurement of distance, such as measuring dangerous areas and the like.
The beauty behind the discovery of Rangefinders is it lets its users measure distance as long as a target is within sight. To measure the distance, now there is no need to physically go to the target’s location.
As long as you see it, a rangefinder could measure the distance between you and the target.
This function has made rangefinders so functional, and it is now used with most hobbyists for golf, hunting, and ballistics.
Ranging also has its place in more professional fields such as land surveying
– the process of measuring and carefully mapping the surrounding environment for the various purpose; Few of which are mapping, land development, mining exploration, major constructions, and the like.
Measuring land
Can rangefinders be used to measure land? Yes! They certainly could be used to measure land! Physically measuring it would always be considered to be more accurate, but rangefinders come close, especially if you’re skilled in spotting and choosing targets. Here, we’ll discuss more how one could maximize accuracy with rangefinders.
Save yourself from the hassle of making physical measurements! Most times, a rangefinder’s good estimate is acceptable. Most especially since not all terrains are easily accessible and could be measured physically and manually.
Maximizing accuracy
All rangefinder manufacturers claim a =/- 1-yard accuracy under optimal conditions.
Good weather
Optical conditions for a rangefinder entail having a clear day without fog or rain and having enough light that isn’t overly bright. Since rangefinders rely on reflecting light, these factors could greatly affect accuracy.
The device
Most devices now are highly accurate and are equipped with laser technology. However, some factors make some devices more accurate, like the ease of use and handling. Some rangefinders could be heavier than most, and would thus be harder to hold still when trying to spot and range a target. This may also affect accuracy.
Slopes
- Some rangefinders are also equipped with technology that could compute distances relative to a terrain’s slope, which may be a lot more useful for land measurements.
- A rangefinder measures the distance between the user and the target. The end result will be the distance from point A to B, which isn’t exactly the area yet. Depending on the slopes of the terrain and the shape of the area that you decide to measure, you could strategize how you measure your distances to come up with the land area!
- Always make sure that you can spot the target clearly, and that your hold on the rangefinder is stable. You shouldn’t have any problems if you know how your rangefinder measures slopes. All you’ll need in the end is your formula for the area you intend to measure, and you’re good to go!
If you measure land for official land surveying projects and this is the first time you’re doing this, seek advice from professionals. With the right equipment and guidance, your land measurements would be accurate real soon!