Range Finder

Equipment

Spring Balance
Plumb Bob
Range Finder
Compass
Clinometer

Range Finder

This is an optical instrument similar to the focusing system on a range finder camera. An eyepiece gives the user two images of the object being measured; when these are brought into coincidence the distance can be read off the scale on the adjustment lever or control. The scale is calibrated to read distance but is in fact a measure of the amount of movement needed to turn a prism or mirror, mounted on the end of a fixed base, to overlap the two images.

Examples Of Usage

A range finder can be used for:

Measuring distances for a variety of survey purposes, such as the length of a base line between two survey stations.
As range finders have relatively poor accuracy, they are typically used for reconnaisance surveys.

Factors Which Influence The Use Of Range Finders

A clear line of sight between the user and the measured point is needed.
A well defined object is required to obtain the maximum precison.

Survey Methods Used For

Range Finders are used for the measurement of linear distance.

Chaining

Schematic of range finder

The Department of Geomatics
Maintained by: Nicole Jones
Date Created: October 1998