Handheld rangefinder operable to determine hold over ballistic information
View Patent ↗A handheld rangefinder device operable to determine ballistic hold over information is disclosed. The rangefinder device generally includes a range sensor operable to determine a first range to a target, a tilt sensor operable to determine an angle to the target relative to the device, and a computing element, coupled with the range sensor and the tilt sensor, operable to determine a hold over value based on the first range and the determined angle. Such a configuration facilitates accurate firearm and bow use by providing ranges and hold over values without requiring time-consuming and manual user calculations.
1. A rangefinder device for determining hold over ballistic information, the device comprising:
a range sensor configured for determining a first range to a target;
a tilt sensor configured for determining an angle to the target relative to the device;
a display; and
a computing element coupled with the range sensor and the tilt sensor configured for determining a hold over value based on the first range and the determined angle, and for indicating the first range and the hold over value on the display,
wherein the computing element is configured for determining the hold over value by ascertaining a vertical distance relative to a projectile trajectory at the first range and modifying the vertical distance utilizing the determined angle.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the computing element determines the hold over value by multiplying the ascertained projectile drop value at the first range by the cosine of the determined angle.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1 , further including a memory coupled with the computing element, the memory including a database comprising ranges and corresponding vertical distance values relative to a projectile trajectory.
4. The device as set forth in claim 3 , further including an input coupled with the computing element to enable a user to provide configuration information such that the computing element is configured to retrieve one of the vertical distance values from the database utilizing the first range and the provided configuration information.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the range sensor includes a laser range sensor.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the tilt sensor includes an inclinometer.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1 , further including a portable handheld housing to house the range sensor, the tilt sensor, and the computing element, wherein the housing is physically independent from any of a weapon, firearm, or rifle.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the computing element is further operable to calculate a second range to the target utilizing the first range and the determined angle.
9. A rangefinder device for determining hold over ballistic information, the device comprising:
a laser range sensor configured for determining a first range to a target;
a tilt sensor configured for determining an angle to the target relative to the device;
a memory comprising a database of ranges and corresponding vertical distance values relative to a projectile trajectory;
a display; and
a computing element coupled with the range sensor, the tilt sensor, and the memory, configured for determining a hold over value based on the first range and the determined angle by acquiring one of the vertical distance values from the database and modifying the acquired vertical distance value utilizing the determined angle, and for indicating the first range and the hold over value on the display.
10. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the computing element determines the hold over value by multiplying the ascertained projectile drop value at the first range by the cosine of the determined angle.
11. The device as set forth in claim 9 , further including an input coupled with the computing element to enable a user to provide configuration information such that the computing element is configured to retrieve the vertical distance value from the database utilizing the first range and the provided configuration information.
12. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the tilt sensor includes an inclinometer.
13. The device as set forth in claim 9 , further including a portable handheld housing to house the range sensor, the tilt sensor, the memory, the computing element, and the display.
14. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the computing element is further operable to calculate a second range to the target utilizing the first range and the determined angle.
15. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the computing element is operable to provide rifle and bowhunting modes, and the display is operable to indicate the first range and the second range when the computing element is in the bowhunting mode.
16. A rangefinder device for determining hold over ballistic in formation, the device comprising:
a laser range sensor configured for determining a first range to a target;
a tilt sensor configured for determining an angle to the target relative to the device, the tilt sensor including an inclinometer;
an input configured for receiving configuration information from a user;
a memory comprising a database of ranges and corresponding vertical distance values relative to a ballistic trajectory;
a display;
a computing element coupled with the range sensor, the tilt sensor, the input, and the memory, configured for determining a hold over value based on the first range, the configuration information, and the determined angle by acquiring one of the vertical distance values from the database and modifying the acquired vertical distance value utilizing the determined angle, and for indicating the first range and the hold over value on the display; and
a portable handheld housing to house the range sensor, the tilt sensor, the input, the memory, the computing element, and the display.
17. The device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the computing element is further operable to calculate a second range to the target utilizing the first range and the determined angle.
18. The device as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the computing element is operable to provide rifle and bowhunting modes, and the display is operable to indicate the first range and the second range when the computing element is in the bowhunting mode.
19. The device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the computing element determines the hold over value by multiplying the ascertained projectile drop value at the first range by the cosine of the determined angle.
20. The device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the configuration information corresponds to one of a plurality of ballistic curves.
21. The device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the configuration information corresponds to a firearm projectile and the configuration information includes a bullet size and a bullet grain.
22. The device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the configuration information corresponds to a projectile fired from a bow.