Laser rangefinders are a must have among hunting enthusiasts and golfers, they are known to make measuring distances a lot more easy and accurate for the users. One of the significant problems with all laser rangefinders is working in fog (or heavy dust). Fog can disrupt the laser’s ability to get a reading. Fortunately, some lasers have the ability to run in a mode allowing use with a light fog.
In Farthest Mode, if the unit gets a return from a light fog and from a target further away, it will report the farthest distance. While technique is important for effective use in rainy conditions, the features of the rangefinder are equally important for optimal performance in fog.
Laser range finders are a wonderful tool for measuring tree height, distance to trees and buildings and a variety of other measurements.
They easily measure:
- Slope Distance,
- Horizontal Distance,
- Vertical Distance,
- Inclination,
- Tree Heights, and for some rangefinders such as the TruPulse 360, Azimuth bearings.
In heavy fog, the laser rangefinder may not be able to measure longer distances. Interestingly enough, with technology advances, some rangefinders have no problem working in fog or heavy rain.
Here are a few guidelines for using laser rangefinders in foggy conditions:
- Make sure the rangefinder you are using is in Farthest Mode; this is because in fog, most rangefinders give a shorter distance than the actual. Hence, set the rangefinder in the farthest mode to give a closely accurate reading.
- Hold the fire button down for a second or two. This allows the rangefinder to fire dozens of laser signals. When multiple lasers are fired, they all will give separate readings and hence, you are likely to decide on the likely accurate reading based on your actual estimation and that of the rangefinder.
- Hold the rangefinder as steady as possible. Some rangefinders such as the TruPulse 360 rangefinder , have a staff to steady feature that can be very helpful to give accurate readings when firing the laser.
Different rangefinders have different characteristics hence may lead to varying results depending on the user. It is therefore imperative to look into some features of a rangefinder you might be interested in before purchase as the varying characteristics are likely to make a lot of difference when subjected to poor weather conditions such as fog and rain.
These factors include:
RANGE
The ability of the device to determine distances is provided within its range. Most units have the ability to measure distances that are both close and far. When measuring distance, it is helpful when the unit can distinguish the target from other objects. A rangefinder with the ability to measure long distances can be used in foggy situations by setting them in their farthest mode for a more accurate reading.
BUILD
The construction of the rangefinder is as important as other features. An ideal rangefinder that is made durably to resist any form of damage is suitable for using under foggy or rainy conditions. Therefore, you should buy a rangefinder that is made with resistant material to poor weather such as heavy rains and fog. When these features are incorporated in the build of the rangefinder, it is a lot easier for you to measure distances in foggy conditions.
The bottom line
Foggy and rainy conditions impede greatly on the use of a laser rangefinder. However, with the proper techniques and an in-depth understanding of the features of the rangefinder you are using, you are likely to get the most out of it even when the weather is not ideal.
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