If no camera or collimator is available, an alternative method can be used for alignment.
- Place a vertical and horizontal pole at approx. 200 metres distance or look for an appropriate natural target like e.g. a chimney.
- Start to measure continuously at the horizontal orientation and measure until the laser hits the pole and gives the correct distance back. Centre the camera/binocular to this horizontal position.
- Then change the orientation and measure continuously in the vertical direction until the laser hits the pole and gives the correct distance back. Centre the camera/binocular to this vertical position.
This method only allows a rough alignment of the LRF for quick basic testing. To experience and test the full range capabilities of the LRF, it is strongly recommended to use a collimator with a camera for alignment.
Laser viewing cards
Another quick and easy method to make laser light visible are laser viewing cards. These cards have a photosensitive area, which emits a visible spot at the location of the laser beam. With this support it is quite easy to boresight the camera/binocular to the spot. However, this only works when the laser viewing card is quite close to the LRF module.
To see the laser beam of the LRF module, the laser viewing card must absorb light of 1550 nm wavelength or 830 nm if our integrated coaxial laser pointer is used.