Anyone use a rangefinder?

Gareth's Tree

Gareth's Tree

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Ashtabula
I have been thinking that a rangefinder may be useful for figuring things out when doing estimates. Does anyone use one? Or have any advice on which ones are good?
 
You've got to sink some serious money into a rangefinder to get one that's worth its space in the truck console. I did a utility consulting project a couple years ago and was given a cheapo hunting/golfing rangefinder which was quickly determined to be completely useless for tree applications, and exiled to the nether world beneath the truck seat for the duration of the assignment.

I did some online research at the time and found out that it was going to take a minimum of about $500.00 US to start getting into a unit worth having. I was never able to convince my client to purchase one, and I didn't want to buy one out of my own pocket.

Learning the distance of your gait and the stick trick will allow you to accurately estimate tree heights quickly and inexpensively.
 
I am pretty good at judging where a tree will land. One of the things I would find most useful I think is gauging if I can reach a tree with the crane.
 
I am okay with spending some money for something. It is better than thinking you can do a job then getting there and realizing your just out of reach with the crane, and that is going to make the job a real pain in the butt now.
 
Gareth's Tree said:
I am okay with spending some money for something. It is better than thinking you can do a job then getting there and realizing your just out of reach with the crane, and that is going to make the job a real pain in the butt now.
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Most online map sites have metric tools imbedded in them. From your desk, you may well be able to sort that out. I don't ever have a problem with acquiring a quality tool to do a job which needs done, but I generally try to see first, whether there's anything that's already in the truck which will get the task done.
 
For hunting, I use a Sig Sauer SIG 2000 and a Vortex RAZOR 4000 that are extremely good for the money. Several hundred yards is easy, and when conditions are right, I've ranged bright buildings over a mile away. I've checked numerous rangings against GoogleMaps and been shocked at the accuracy these things can give.

For short ranges, they're ALL plenty accurate. For ranging a TIP you don't need a high-dollar unit, unless you're working in the dark. For tree work, I use a cheap SIMMONS unit. It came with a pair of 10x binoculars as a combo, for about $150. Both are fine for TIP work, or getting a tree height/distance measurement. This rangefinder isn't as good as the SIG, but is surprisingly accurate out to about 500 yards.

Light conditions affect all rangefinders. The better ones will give readings under a broader range of conditions, and out further. There is not a big difference in accuracy between the cheap and expensive ones, as long as you get a solid reading. The SIG and VORTEX have more resolution, but really... who gives a rat's ass about a couple of tenths of a yard?

The Leica, Sig Sauer, Luepold and Vortex rangefinders are all excellent. I've used tons of these things at the range and in the field with friends... we tend check out each others' equipment a lot so we can decide what we want.

Midway USA has a pretty good selection and prices... HERE
 
DSMc said:
www.homedepot.com

Nikon Forestry Pro 999 ft. 6X Magnification Laser Distance Measure Range Finder 8381 - The Home Depot

With its invisible, eye-safe, infrared laser, the Nikon Forestry Pro Laser Rangefinder is the ideal surveying tool for measuring distances, angles and heights in wooded areas. It can take measurements
www.homedepot.com

The Nikon Forestry Pro is what we use, it is excellent at what it does.
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Used one - complete garbage. Couldn’t get one successive measurement that was even close. Hated picking up bark too. Okay on concrete.

Could be that there is massive inconsistencies in production and there are good units out there, but what I saw was no where near the accuracy of the stick trick...
 
It takes some practice to figure out what you can, and cannot get a good reading on. If you try to get three readings on an object that are within a few tenths of a yard of each other, it speeds up the process.

Tree branches are terribly easy to get a reading on. Tree trunks over a thousand yards are usually easy... but it can depend on how much contrast there is between the tree and the background. Getting a reading on a TIP is only a problem if you're standing right under the tree in the shade. Sometimes you have to move to another position.

Really, I've never had any issue with them. Like I said, for TIP use I just use the really cheap SIMMONS unit, and it performs wonderfully. Even without allowing for the angle from the position I range at, it's usually within a foot of being right. You do have to make sure it's not reading a twig or branch between you and the target.
 
JeffGu said:
It takes some practice to figure out what you can, and cannot get a good reading on. If you try to get three readings on an object that are within a few tenths of a yard of each other, it speeds up the process.

Tree branches are terribly easy to get a reading on. Tree trunks over a thousand yards are usually easy... but it can depend on how much contrast there is between the tree and the background. Getting a reading on a TIP is only a problem if you're standing right under the tree in the shade. Sometimes you have to move to another position.

Really, I've never had any issue with them. Like I said, for TIP use I just use the really cheap SIMMONS unit, and it performs wonderfully. Even without allowing for the angle from the position I range at, it's usually within a foot of being right. You do have to make sure it's not reading a twig or branch between you and the target.
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Good tips. I spent over an hour using one as a pre sale inspection and was severely disappointed. Must have taken a hundred readings over different conditions. If I ever get one it will be a lot better quality....

I would be more inclined to get an accurate clinometer (pun?) as any error is more obvious, and if cheap enough don’t have to worry about theft or breakage.

Thought about designing one but have deferred the idea for now....
 
southsoundtree said:
Clinometer apps are 'free'.
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Used some, but the only real use I have for the accurate tools is confined space felling which I want to know errors.

For quotes/estimates the stick trick works.

Have used iPhone apps but they can be inaccurate at times, but generally okay.
 
What apps are worth using?

I learned many small changes to the stick trick to reduce inaccuracies. After felling I had a check that showed I was well within 5%. Close enough for me...and free
 
Yes the stick trick for most uses is perfectly satisfactory, but when dropping larger trees adjacent to structures I sometimes need a bit more accuracy and certainty.
 
Chaplain242 said:
Used one - complete garbage. Couldn’t get one successive measurement that was even close...
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Well, either I got lucky or you got a lemon, because the one I have has been flawless. Easily repeatable measurements on even small limbs and any other object for that matter.
 
DSMc said:
Well, either I got lucky or you got a lemon, because the one I have has been flawless. Easily repeatable measurements on even small limbs and any other object for that matter.
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I may see if my local home Depot has one. I suppose if I get one that doesn't work I can always take it back.
 
DSMc said:
Well, either I got lucky or you got a lemon, because the one I have has been flawless. Easily repeatable measurements on even small limbs and any other object for that matter.
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After your comments I may yet re-examine this device but will certainly put it through its paces before handing over a dime... maybe visit a very popular seller so can test successive devices should more lemons appear...
 
Short range accuracy on my Sig Sauer...

Rested it on the back of a chair so I could measure with tape measure. Rangefinder says 6.4 yards. Tape measure says 19'-2". Inside house, at night, ranging wall with an LED nightlight plugged into outlet a few feet away.

That's pretty damn good accuracy. 5 or 6 yards seems to be about as close an object as it will get a reading on. Any closer, it just doesn't give a readout.

On elm removal earlier today, it said 10.6 yards to a limb that measured 32 feet. Again, very accurate. I held the unit on the end of a 6' polesaw section and aimed up to the bottom of the limb. Actual reading was 8.6 yards, and I added the two yards for the pole.

Tomorrow, I'll see how it does on smaller stuff further up. I'll take the cheap Simmons one along, too. I'll compare the two units on the same limb. I may or may not be able to tape measure the limb, but I'll try. This tree has the DED and ain't real healthy. I'm a little nervous about getting on the skinny bits.
 
For me, a range finder is an important tool. I have the TruPulse 200, made by Laser Technologies. It is about $800, but I got it 1/2 off on Ebay several years ago. It has several settings - horizontal, vertical, and incline, and a couple of others I dont use. It is extremely accurate, and I use it when bidding crane work. We dont use it much otherwise, but a good range finder is had to beat when you are figuring distances around steep slopes.
 
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