Laser rangefinder

[eckydrone200]

Does anyone use a laser rangefinder to find out how far they are from nearby buildings etc. Reason I ask is when the UK laws change at the end of the year, providing you sit & pass the A2 CofC you will be permitted to fly 50m away from buildings as long as your drone complies, i.e. Legacy for the first approx 2 years. I am an extremely poor judge of distance so ordered one from Amazon and tried it out today in a spot where I flew my drone from last week (only took off from this point and flew over the sea I hasten to add). I was surprised to see I was 47m from the nearest building which was a warehouse and was empty at the time. I'm just curious to find out if anyone thinks a rangefinder is a good idea or not. I am trying to decide whether or not to do the A2 CofC course or not but if I do I think a rangefinder is a must for me.

 

[Drumsagard]

Does anyone use a laser rangefinder to find out how far they are from nearby buildings etc. Reason I ask is when the UK laws change at the end of the year, providing you sit & pass the A2 CofC you will be permitted to fly 50m away from buildings as long as your drone complies, i.e. Legacy for the first approx 2 years. I am an extremely poor judge of distance so ordered one from Amazon and tried it out today in a spot where I flew my drone from last week (only took off from this point and flew over the sea I hasten to add). I was surprised to see I was 47m from the nearest building which was a warehouse and was empty at the time. I'm just curious to find out if anyone thinks a rangefinder is a good idea or not. I am trying to decide whether or not to do the A2 CofC course or not but if I do I think a rangefinder is a must for me.

I've got a laser rangefinder in my golf bag, but hadn't thought of using it for drone use, may just need to give it a try. Thanks

 

[eckydrone200]

I would really like to know how many members use one or think it is possible a bit **** and too extreme. I just feel that when the new legislation comes you have less chance of getting in trouble if you can prove you have at least tried to maintain the correct distance from buildings etc. I like to abide by the law but feel that sometimes I am over cautious in my estimation of distance. I know when I have used a quarter tank of fuel I am more than 150m from nearest building. ??

 

[THE CYBORG]

Not a bad idea but the range finder will only show how far away the person flying is not the drone itself, I think a good estimate is enough after all anyone watching the drone can only guess.

 

[ninja_geezer]

i use one for shooting ,but never even dreamt of being that accurate for drone flying lol......

 

[adcimagery]

Are you saying you'd laze the distance to the drone and to the building, then just subtract? That wouldn't give you the drone/building distance just FYI. Not sure how the UK regulation is written, so I'm not sure what you're trying to find.

 

[theDRONEranger]

I keep one as part of my drone kit bag. I use it to help in establishing distance and height of objects.

 

[eckydrone200]

Are you saying you'd laze the distance to the drone and to the building, then just subtract? That wouldn't give you the drone/building distance just FYI. Not sure how the UK regulation is written, so I'm not sure what you're trying to find.

No, it is purely to make sure that when I take off I am far enough away to remain legal as I would never fly over anything that I'm not meant to anyway. If filming ships I always stay well away from them, if anything I tend to be over cautious hence the rangefinder.

 

[ninja_geezer]

all sounds rather **** to me sorry but its only a drone for gods sake !!!! come on chaps.

 

[eckydrone200]

I know what you're saying but where I am, crime is not a big issue and there are plenty off folk here don't like things like this and will think nothing about reporting you to the local constabulary and this will provide them with a bit of excitement so best to cover all bases. Lost count how many reports appear on local news about reports of dangerous driving, speeding and overtaking all from folk who have nothing better to do with their time. When I ran around on fast motorbikes, I was always getting pulled over for being reported for one thing or another I was meant to have done on the bike, so I trust no one.

 

[ninja_geezer]

I know what you're saying but where I am, crime is not a big issue and there are plenty off folk here don't like things like this and will think nothing about reporting you to the local constabulary and this will provide them with a bit of excitement so best to cover all bases. Lost count how many reports appear on local news about reports of dangerous driving, speeding and overtaking all from folk who have nothing better to do with their time. When I ran around on fast motorbikes, I was always getting pulled over for being reported for one thing or another I was meant to have done on the bike, so I trust no one.

Its a shame there are such sad people who are so bored ,but yes i get your drift.

 

[eckydrone200]

Yes I know. I myself think a rangefinder is a bit OTT and **** and at the same time agree with you completely but at least if I get reported for being too close I will hopefully have something to back me up rather than getting a tape measure out and measuring out the distance to nearest property ? Probably get done for creating a trip hazard with the tape. ?

 

[Lauee]

all sounds rather **** to me sorry but its only a drone for gods sake !!!! come on chaps.

?????

 

[adcimagery]

No, it is purely to make sure that when I take off I am far enough away to remain legal as I would never fly over anything that I'm not meant to anyway. If filming ships I always stay well away from them, if anything I tend to be over cautious hence the rangefinder.

Oh, so the regulation is you must take off further than 50m from a building, and you want to just use the rangefinder to ensure you're that distance? If so, that's reasonable.

 

[eckydrone200]

Oh, so the regulation is you must take off further than 50m from a building, and you want to just use the rangefinder to ensure you're that distance? If so, that's reasonable.

Yes, that's exactly what I want it for as my estimation of distance is hopeless and should the situation arise where the police arrive I can hopefully provide the proof that I am operating within the regulations laid down by the CAA in the UK. I would like to think that they would be understanding and as long as I wasn't endangering anyone or invading on an individuals privacy they would just go but too many times I have found that they take the side of the complainant or decide to lay down the law.

 

[TreeHugger]

All for it - if he whom has one kindly post a link?

 

[adcimagery]

All for it - if he whom has one kindly post a link?

I linked the one I've used on the gear section of my website.

ADCImagery - Photography by Alex Coleman - Gear