Laser Rangefinder with Improved Display
A rangefinder having improved display capabilities. The rangefinder has a ranging system., a processor, and a display. The rangefinder may have a multi-position button for inputting data, and may also have an inertial navigation unit. The rangefinder has improved input and tracking of wind direction and speed, allowing for improved ballistic compensation for wind.
1 . A rangefinder comprising:
a body, the body including a display,
a ranging system for measuring a distance to a target and mounted within the body,
a processor mounted within the body and capable of controlling information for showing on the display,
a first button mounted on the body and in communication with the ranging system, and
a second button mounted on the body and in communication with the processor,
wherein the second button is a multi-position button.
2 . The rangefinder of claim 1 further comprising an inertial navigation unit mounted within the body and in communication with the processor.
3 . The rangefinder of claim 1 wherein actuation of the first button causes the device to take a range measurement.
4 . The rangefinder of claim 1 wherein actuation of the multi-position button allows for adjustment of settings for operation of the rangefinder.
5 . The rangefinder of claim 1 wherein actuation of the multi-position button allows for entry of data into the processor.
6 . The rangefinder of claim 1 wherein the multi-position button is a 5-position button.
7 . The rangefinder of claim 1 wherein the rangefinder may communicate with a remote computing device using a wireless connection.
8 . A rangefinder comprising:
a body, the body including a display,
a ranging system for measuring a distance to a target and mounted within the body,
a processor mounted within the body and capable of controlling information provided on the display,
the processor further providing:
a first mode of operation for the rangefinder in which the operational settings of the rangefinder may be adjusted, and
a second mode of operation for the rangefinder in which range measurements may be taken.
9 . The rangefinder of claim 8 wherein the first mode of operation further includes the ability to enter ballistics data.
10 . The rangefinder of claim 8 wherein the first mode of operation further includes the ability to enter ballistics data provided in connection with a user profile.
11 . The rangefinder of claim 8 wherein the first mode of operation further includes the ability to enter ballistics data provided in connection with more than one user profile.
12 . The rangefinder of claim 8 wherein the second mode of operation further includes the ability to measure wind data.
13 . The rangefinder of claim 12 wherein the wind data comprises wind velocity data and wind direction data.
14 . A rangefinder comprising:
a body;
a ranging system for measuring the distance to a target and mounted within the body, at least one button mounted on the body and in communication with to the ranging system, wherein at least one of the at least one buttons is a multi-position button; and means for calculating the elevation and windage settings based on inputs entered using the multi-position button.
15 . A rangefinder including:
a ranging system for measuring a distance to a target,
a display,
a processor in communication with the ranging system and capable of producing an image on the display,
an input for inputting wind velocity and direction into the processor by moving an indicator around the periphery of the display image.
16 . The rangefinder of claim 15 wherein the indicator is an arrow pointing the direction from which the wind is blowing.
17 . The rangefinder of claim 16 wherein the arrow points toward the center of the display.
18 . A rangefinder including:
a ranging system for measuring distance to a first target,
a display,
a processor in communication with the ranging system and producing an image on the display,
an input for providing wind velocity and direction data into the processor and an inertial navigation unit in communication with the processor,
the processor calculating and displaying the wind velocity and direction when the rangefinder changes position, based on data from the inertial navigation unit.
19 . The rangefinder of claim 18 wherein the processor further calculates and displays windage and elevation settings for the first target on the display.
20 . The rangefinder of claim 19 wherein the processor stores wind velocity and direction data from the first target and further calculates windage and elevation settings for a second target based on the stored wind velocity and direction data.
21 . A method of viewing information in a rangefinder, comprising the steps of: providing wind data to a processor in the rangefinder, the rangefinder also comprising a display, a ranging system, and an inertial navigation unit, providing ballistics data to the processor in the rangefinder, taking a distance measurement to a first target using the ranging system of the rangefinder, the processor calculating elevation and windage hold values based on the distance measurement taken, ballistics data, and wind data provided; and viewing the calculated elevation and windage hold values in the rangefinder display.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein wind data is provided to the processor using an input on the rangefinder.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the wind data comprises wind speed and wind direction.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the wind direction is provided to the processor using a wind indicator input.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein ballistics data is stored ballistics data in the processor.
26 . The method of claim 21 , comprising the additional steps of:
taking a distance measurement to a second target using the ranging system of the rangefinder, the processor calculating elevation and windage hold values based on the distance measurement taken, ballistics data, wind data provided, and data from the inertial navigation unit; and
viewing the calculated elevation and windage hold values in the rangefinder display for the second target.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the wind data and ballistics data is the same data for both the first target and the second target.