# What is the best type of sensor to use for range finding?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 16, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126 "2015-03-16T17:01:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126/1 "2015-03-16T17:01:36Z")

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What is the best type of sensor to use for determining distances to other objects?

What defines “best” is a combination of distance, insensitivity to environmental distractions like fog and dust, cost, reliability and durability.

Would it be a laser? Ultrasonic sensors? Some combination of the two? Something else?

Thanks,  
Rob

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**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126/2 "2015-03-16T18:08:54Z")

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> [@sweeteviljesus](#):
>
> What is the best type of sensor to use for determining distances to other objects?
> 
> What defines “best” is a combination of distance, insensitivity to environmental distractions like fog and dust, cost, reliability and durability.
> 
> Would it be a laser? Ultrasonic sensors? Some combination of the two? Something else?
> 
> Thanks,  
> Rob

As with most questions like this, we will need more specifics.

Are you trying to determine the distance to a wall from across the room (feet)? Are you trying to determine how far away a large building is from you (miles)?

Is it a dynamic situation, are the objects moving? If so, at what speed? How often do the distances need to be measured (sample rate)?

How do you desire the output? Are numbers on a LCD screen ok or do you want it the output to be an electronic feed to another computer?

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**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126/3 "2015-03-16T18:12:27Z")

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To add to my previous post:

[This kind](http://www.guidance.eu.com/ui/content/content.aspx?ID=345)of equipment helps supply vessels automatically station themselves next to oil platforms.

[This](http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8397-ACULON-Laser-Rangefinder/dp/B00EF30VWA/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1426529473&sr=1-1) helps you figure out how far away a deer is.

[This](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-130-ft-Laser-Distance-Measurer-DLR130K/202504985) helps you measure between walls.

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**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126/4 "2015-03-16T19:44:21Z")

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> [@Hermitian](#):
>
> As with most questions like this, we will need more specifics.
> 
> Are you trying to determine the distance to a wall from across the room (feet)? Are you trying to determine how far away a large building is from you (miles)?
> 
> Is it a dynamic situation, are the objects moving? If so, at what speed? How often do the distances need to be measured (sample rate)?
> 
> How do you desire the output? Are numbers on a LCD screen ok or do you want it the output to be an electronic feed to another computer?

Also, how precise does it need to be?

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**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-type-of-sensor-to-use-for-range-finding/715126/5 "2015-03-16T19:59:29Z")

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If your are working with a couple of people, some lasers can be used prism reflectors to improve their accuracy when shooting through tree limbs and brush.