Imagine how difficult it would be to hunt late into the night without proper lighting. Or perhaps you are hunting in an environment where the wind could compromise your shot. Indeed, it is at this point that the laser rangefinder steps in. It will be vital in calculating not only the strength of this wind but also the distance to prey. With this, your hunting experience will be matchless.
However, you will hardly miss concerns from time to time. Most people are not sure of how safe or dangerous these laser rangefinders tend to be. It is in this regard that we take a look at a few critical insights. They include the following.
How Safe Is A Laser Rangefinder?
Indeed, laser rangefinders tend to rely on lasers to determine the distance between you and the target. This radiation is a concern for many, and you are no exception. However, despite the use of radiation, laser rangefinders pride themselves on reliable safety measures that ensure your eyes remain safe at all times.
A typical rangefinder comes with a wavelength of less than 1.54um.
This radiation energy is way below the threshold that could compromise the safety of your eyes. Usually, these laser rangefinders will come as either class 1 or class 2 for most hunters.
Studies indicated that Class 1 rangefinders tend to be much more eye-safe.
According to science.gov, they point out that the level of exposure is much lesser than what could affect your eyes. However, they still rated different levels of exposure for these laser rangefinders.
You will witness that most of their ratings highlight a great friendliness to the eyes. However, regardless of the rating, you should never use your naked eyes when shooting.
Laser rangefinders are the main objects of electro-optical countermeasures.
That is because they are the main weapons. Therefore, we rely on their maximum range to evaluate their performance. By confirming how far the range could be, it becomes much easier to understand the eye safety it could guarantee you.
Perhaps it would be right to understand the operating principle of these laser rangefinders. This way, you can relate how safe they tend to be.
Operating Principle of Laser Rangefinders
Most of the laser rangefinders rely on a wavelength of between 1.06 and 1.54um. Therefore, it will be upon you to pick a product that assures you of enhanced eye safety. Any laser rangefinder with a wavelength of above 1.4um is safe for your eyes. As long as this device is suitable for your eyes, it will have the ESLRF mark.
Ideally, wavelengths that are longer than 1.4 will hardly reach the sensitive parts of your retina. They will often get absorbed by the cornea and lens of your eyes, making them safe for you.
Eye-safe laser rangefinder technologies have, for this reason, become part of most future lenses. They boast of reduced size, power, and weight. Their repetition rate is also increasing day by day. It is through this that you will be sure of an efficient burst mode capability. With this, targeting moving objects becomes much easier. Ideally, this technology ensures that you do not strain your eye so much while using the laser rangefinder.
Further, the power of the laser could also be a determining issue when it comes to eye safety. The power could be high, but your eyes still get damaged. It is in this light that you will find it necessary to consider devices with a little parasitic reflection, as they will refract the light away from you.
Eye-safe laser rangefinders will always come in handy in various applications. As long as you are confident of their safety, you will be free to use them in surveillance systems. From hunting to surveillance, the success of your art is wholly dependent on the safety levels you enjoy in the long run. Take the time to understand how friendly the lenses could be to your eyes, as this will help in avoiding many issues in the long run.
As you look forward to getting your laser rangefinder, it will be valuable for you to consider reputable brands at all times. They are more likely to give you better quality and safe laser rangefinders.
