Operation Manual

LASER RANGE FINDER

LRB 25000

105 Sparks Ave., Toronto, ON, M2H 2S5, Canada

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Read prior to activation You have just purchased a sophisticated electro-optical device that emits invisible laser radiation. To operate it properly, please read this manual carefully. 

NEVER direct laser beam at the eyes of people or animals



NEVER aim the unit at the Sun or bright sources of light



NEVER subject the unit to impacts



NEVER transport the unit without its case



NEVER disassemble the unit. This may be hazardous for you due to high voltage currents in the system



ALWAYS keep the unit out of children’s reach



ALWAYS remove the battery when the device is not in use for a long period



ALWAYS store the unit in a dry place



Caution - use of controls or adjustments, or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure



Caution - use of optical instruments such as binoculars, mirrors, lenses with this product will increase eye hazard.



Avoid eye exposure to direct laser beam or its close reflection



Do not use the rangefinder to measure distances less than 50 meters and to any highly reflective objects (mirrors), which are in close proximity to the device. This may damage the photodetector.

Table of contents 1.

Overview .........................................................1 General .......................................................1 Rangefinder ................................................3 Battery ........................................................3 Software CD ...............................................3 Accessory set ..............................................3 Battery charger ...........................................4 Hard Case ...................................................4 2. Delivery set .....................................................5 3. Specifications ..................................................6 4. Design..............................................................8 5. Operation Instructions ...................................10 5.1 Principle of operation ...............................10 5.2 Design and operation ................................11 5.3 Rangefinder operation in measuring mode (mode switch in F or L positions).........................15 5.4 Rangefinder operation in control mode ....16 6. Directions for use ..........................................18 6.1 Safety measures ........................................18 6.2 Measurement procedure (first target selected)................................................................18 6.3 Gating range settings ................................19 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7

6.4 Measurement procedure (last target selected)................................................................21 7. Maintenance ..................................................22 8. Customer Support..........................................26 9. Acceptance Certificate...................................27

1. Overview This document provides basic information that is necessary for proper operation and preventive maintenance of the LRB 25000 compact laser rangefinder. Details of extensive repair and technical servicing procedures are not covered by this document. DESCRIPTION

1.1 General The LRB 25000 laser rangefinder is a device intended for the use by an individual. The rangefinder can measure ranges from 60 to 25,000 m with an accuracy of 5 m. The maximum distance may vary on target reflectivity and weather conditions. Target reflectivity depends on its color, surface finish, shape etc. Bright colors are more reflective than darks. A polished surface is more reflective than a rough one. Larger targets are easier for distance measuring. Measuring a target faced at 90o (perpendicular to the laser beams path) provides optimal results. Bad weather conditions (rain, fog, snow, mist) will reduce the maximum measured range. Bright sunny days 1

will reduce performance as well. While the unit will work through many glass types, measuring through glass will affect the results. Hand tremor also influences the results. Use tripod to measure distance to far-away objects. The solid-state laser used in this LRB 25000 rangefinder is classified as Class 1 of laser hazard and its emission is eyesafe for people being within the laser beam.

2

1.2 Rangefinder The rangefinder external view is shown on Fig.2. Rangefinder has the following controls: ON power supply switch; MODE operating mode switch; MIN RANGE handle for continuous setting a minimum range (gate) on the eyepiece panel of rangefinder; trigger on the topside of the rangefinder housing.

1.3 Battery The rangefinder uses a NiCd rechargeable battery. The battery has a rated voltage of 12V and a capacity of 0.55 Ah that is sufficient for more than 300 ranging at +20C.

1.4 Software CD The delivery set includes the software compact disk, which is necessary for data transmission from the rangefinder to the PC using standard serial RS232 data communications protocol. 1.5 Accessory set Accessory set includes the following items: 1) Connectors 2) Cloth to wipe optical surfaces 3) Replacement silica gel for the desiccator. 3

1.6 Battery charger The ZU1201NCS portable charger is designed to charge NiCd battery with 12 V voltage and from 0.5 to 1.0 A.h charge capacity. The charger is a stabilized DC source.

Technical characteristics of the ZU1201NCS: Mains voltage 200...240 V (110 V adapter can be supplied if needed) Charge current 60 mA5% Ambient temperature when operating

+5...+25C

Power supply

no more than 1 W

1.7 Hard Case The hard case is used for rangefinder transportation and storage. It protects the device from various mechanical damages. Rangefinder accessories set are located in the case.

4

2. Delivery set

Hard case Software CD

Manual Rangefinder Charger Cables

Voltage Converter

Battery

Fig 1. LRB 25000 is supplied with the following components: Hard Case Rangefinder Software CD 12V Rechargeable Battery Charger Cables Voltage Converter Cleaning cloth Manual 5

Quantity 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1

3. Specifications 3.1. Transmitter Wavelength, nm Pulse energy, mJ Pulse width, FWHM, ns Pump energy, J, no more Pulse repetition rate, Hz Beam divergence (80 energy), mrad

1540 5-8  30 12 0.15 1

%

3.2 Receiver Field of view of receiving channel, mrad. Type of photodiode Entrance pupil diameter, mm Range accuracy, m Measurement range, m. Type of LED display

1 Avalanche Ge photodiode 43 5 60...25,000 LED indicators observed through eyepiece 1 target displayed, indication of more than 1 target registered first/last target 60...4,500

Multiple targets. Operating mode Gating range setting, m Gating range setting accuracy, m

20

6

3.3. Sight Magnification Field of view Objective diameter, mm Range of eyepiece dioptric setting

7.5x 5.5 43 4

3.4. Power supply NiCd 12 V/0.55 Ah rechargeable battery 1.54 RS232 interface

Built-in battery Weight without battery, kg, Computer output

7

4. Design 1

2 3 9

6 8

5

7

10 12

11

Fig 2. 8

4

Table of contents for the design diagrams (page 8)

1 – Trigger 3 – Desiccator with silica gel 5 – Boresight eye piece 7 – ON supply switch 9 – MIN RANGE minimum range (gating) handle 11 – receiving and sighting channel objective

2 – MODE operating mode switch 4 – Computer output connector 6 – LED display ocular 8 – External power supply and remote trigger connector 10 – Battery compartment lid; 12 – transmitting channel objective

9

5. Operation Instructions 5.1 Principle of operation The rangefinder utilizes a principle of optical locator. Distance to target is determined by time passed from emittance to return of a short invisible laser pulse bounced off the target. A short infrared light pulse of high intensity generated by the laser propagates towards a target within narrow cone. At the same time, a small portion of the pulse hits the photosensitive area of the photoreceiver and is transformed into electric pulse (start signal). The light pulse bounced off the target comes to the receiving objective of the rangefinder and is transformed into another electric pulse (stop signal). The time interval meter measures the time between these two pulses and displays it as range information.

10

5.2 Design and operation The rangefinder block diagram is given on Fig.3. The rangefinder consists of the following main parts: the transmitting (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) and receiving (9, 8, 7, 4) channels, the boresight (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), the display and control unit (3). The rangefinder optical configuration (Fig.4) provides formation of a laser pulse and sighting it on the target, transmitting the start pulse, receiving a light pulse reflected from the target and focusing it on the photoreceiver photosensitive area, with final readings observing on the LED display. The transmitting channel optics (7) forms a laser pulse with reduced divergence. To ensure the parallelism of the receiving and transmitting channels, two protective glass wedges (8) are installed at the transmitting channel exit. In the transmitting channel a laser pulse reflected from the target goes through the protective glass (5), the receiving/sighting channel objective (4), the prism unit (3) and is focused by the objective in the plane of the photosensitive area of the photoreceiver (2).

11

The prism unit divides a laser pulse going through the objective into two portions by its beam-splitting coating applied to the facet of one of the prisms. A laser pulse at 1.54 m passes to the photoreceiver, and a visible light is focused in the plane of the eyepiece (1) reticle. The boresight includes the objective (4) and the erecting prism unit (3) integrated with the receiving channel, and the sight eyepiece (1). The LED display unit consists of two mirrors (12) transmitting the image of the LED display (11) to the eyepiece, and the display ocular (10). The rangefinder operates in two modes: ranging mode (the MODE switch is in the F or L position) and control mode (the MODE switch is in the C position) When operating in the F mode, rangefinder measures distance to a first (nearest) target. When operating in the L mode, rangefinder measures distance to a last (farthest) target. When operating in the C mode, rangefinder sets the gating distance by rotating of the MIN RANGE handle. When the trigger button is pressed, the device shows “Control Distance”, which means that unit is operating properly. Value of gating distance can be set within 60...4,500m range.

12

Figure.3 Rangefinder block diagram

1- LED display ocular 3 – Display and control unit 5 – Boresignt eyepiece 7 – Prism unit

2 - LED display 4 – Photoreceiver 6 – Sight reticule 8 – Receiving/Sighting channels objective 10 – Start-pulse 12 – Telescope 14 – Laser head power supply

9 – Protective glass 11 – Laser head 13 – Adjusting wedges 15 – Q-Switch control unit 13

Figure.4 Optical configuration of rangefinder

1 – Boresight eyepiece 3 – Prism unit

2 – Photoreceiver 4 – Receiving/Sighting channel objective 6 – Start-pulse forming prisms 8 – Adjusting wedges 10 – LED display ocular 12 - Mirrors

5 – Protective Glass 7 – Telescope 9 – Laser head 11 – LED display

14

5.3 Rangefinder operation in measuring mode (mode switch in F or L positions) When the ON switch is in ‘on’ position, the storage capacitor is getting charged during approximately 10 seconds. When the charging is over, the ready indicator lights on (Fig.5). Place the rangefinder cross-hair reticle, which is located in the center of the sight eyepiece, on the target. After you press the trigger button, energy, collected in storage capacitor, is pumped through the flash lamp of the laser, generating laser pulse. Major portion of the laser pulse is sent from the output of the rangefinder transmitting channel to the target. At the same time, a small portion of the laser pulse hits the photosensitive area of the photoreceiver and is transformed into a start pulse. The light pulse reflected from the target is focused on the photosensitive area of the photoreceiver and is transformed into a stop pulse. The interval between the start and stop pulses measured by means of the timing oscillator, transforms into displayed distance to the target in metres. Besides the measured range, the LED display indicates some additional information with light diodes (LEDs) (Fig.5).

15

5.4 Rangefinder operation in control mode Press the trigger button when the ON switch is in ‘on’ position. Set gating value on the LED display by rotating the MIN RANGE handle. You can set gating minimum range between 60 and 4000 meters with an accuracy of 20 m.

Fig.5 Display of ranging results and rangefinder serviceability

1

1

9

2

0

Ready Indicator Run-down battery indicator (green LED) (red LED) a) LED display readings in range measurement to one target

0

3

5

0

0

b) LED display readings when the rangefinder detects a signal reflected from a target gated out by the minimum, range

0

3

5

0

0

c) LED display readings when the rangefinder detects a signal reflected from an object behind the measured target 16

d) LED display readings when there is no start signal at the photoreceiver input

0

0

0

0

0

e) LED display readings when there is no signal reflected rom the target

17

6. Directions for use 6.1 Safety measures The laser power supply produces hazardous high voltage! It is strictly prohibited to disassemble the housing of the rangefinder with the installed battery! 6.2 Measurement procedure (first target selected) 1) Make sure that the MIN RANGE handle is set to the left position or to a required gating range value (see 5.3); 2) Set the MODE switch to the F position (range measurement to the first target); 3) Set the supply switch to the ON position. The rangefinder power supply is on; 4) Rotate the eyepieces to obtain a sharp image of the eyepiece reticle and the digital display; 5) Look into the right eyepiece and set the cross-hairs exactly on a target. When the green ready indicator in the LED display ocular lights on, press the trigger button smoothly. Do not release the trigger button until you take the readings from the display. The range in meters is displayed while you keep the trigger button pressed; ATTENTION! If the trigger button is pressed before the green ready indicator is on, the rangefinder will not measure anything. 18

6) if the M-indicator (multiple target) is on, carefully examine the target area through the sight eyepiece to identify other targets (see Fig.6). For positive identification of all targets the gating range setting can be additionally used as explained in 5.3; 7) if the C-indicator is on, this means that one or more targets (without indication of their number) are gated out by the gating range setting. Examine the target area through the sight eyepiece to identify the targets. If it is necessary to measure range to a target, that is less than the preset gating range, reduce the gating range and repeat the ranging procedure. 6.3 Gating range settings Gating setting is designated to cut off the false reflections from bushes, flakes, wires and other false objects on the laser beam path. The rangefinder receiver is not able to distinguish needed reflection from others, and the shortest measuring will be displayed regardless of its nature. By using this setting operator is able to reject signals reflected from objects within a minimum range (gated range). A value of gated range can be set between 60 and 4000 meters or slightly wider. The procedure is the following:

19

1) set the MODE switch to the C position; 2) set the supply switch to the ON position. The rangefinder power supply is on; 3) press the trigger button and keep it pressed; 4) see value of gating range in the left eyepiece; 5) set required value of gating range with rotating of the MIN RANGE handle; 6) set the MODE switch to the F position and measure the range to a target as explained in 5.2. Due to the fact that a portion of the transmitter beam is dissipated by objects in front of a target, a signal from the target can be lower than the level of operation of the rangefinder receiver. Try to set the reticle on the target keeping as few objects in front of the target as possible. If the C-indicator lights, this means that one or more targets (without indication of their number) are gated out by the gating range setting.

20

Controls position MODE MIN switch RANGE handle F  60

Digital display readings 2200

F

2250

3500

F

3550

4200

L

 60

4200

L

2250

4200

Notes

Target 2200 m. There is a target behind the displayed one (3500 m) Target 3500 m. There is a target behind the displayed one (4200 m) and a target inside the gate (2200 m) Target 4200 m. There is a target inside the gate (3500 m) Target 4200 m. There is a missed target (3500 m) Target 4200 m. There is a missed target (3500 m) and a target inside the gate (2200 m)

6.4 Measurement procedure (last target selected). If your target is obstructed with visible clogs, it could be more useful to choose last target measurement mode. In this mode only the farthest target will be selected. To perform the only last target measuring set the operating mode switch to the L position. All other steps are similar to those described in 5.2.

21

7. Maintenance The necessary maintenance of the rangefinder includes execution of the following operations: 1) in case of detection of damages, faults or performance degradation, inform the manufacturer; 2) in case of contamination, wipe the optical surfaces, the housing, the control handles of the rangefinder with the cloth from the accessory set; 3) if the silica gel colour changes from blue to pink (silica gel is saturated with moisture), replace the silica gel in the desiccator after prior heating the replacement silica gel from the accessory set until it becomes blue; 4) charge the battery when the battery discharge indicator is on (see Fig. 5). Perform the charging procedure as following: - switch off the rangefinder; - insert the battery into the rangefinder; - connect the charger to power outlet; - connect the charger to the rangefinder through the 12 V DC external power supply plug 8 (see Fig. 2). Check that the charge indicator is on; - maximum charging time is about 15 hours, then the charge LED goes off; - disconnect the charger from the rangefinder. 22

5) after long period of inactivity (more than one month) the capacitor requires training. Perform the training procedure as following: - turn on the rangefinder; - press and release the start button after 15 seconds; - repeat the last operation until the green readiness indicator on the digital indicator display (see Fig.5) is on. The rangefinder is ready to operate. If shipping from North America, please, include a cheque or money order payable to NEWCON OPTIK for the amount of $15.00 to cover handling and return shipping.

23

Appendix 1 DESIGNATION OF PINS OF RANGEFINDER EXTERNAL CONNECTORS 1. External power supply and the remote trigger button connector - an external supply voltage of 122 V is applied to the pins 1,4 of the plug; - the remote closure trigger button is connected to the pins 2,3 of the plug; - a consumed current (average) is no more than 0.6 A. Circuit

Pin

+ 12 V

1

TRIGGER

2

TRIGGER

3

GROUND

4

Numbering of the pins of the external power supply and remote trigger button connector (viewed from the side of the pins)

24

2. Computer output connector The information on measured range is transmitted from the rangefinder to computer by direct connection to the serial port.

Circuit

Pin

RTS

2

RD

8

SG

10

Numbering of the pins of the computer output connector (viewed from the side of the pins)

25

8. Customer Support Should you experience any difficulties with your NEWCON OPTIK product, consult the enclosed manual. If the problem remains unresolved, contact our customer support department at (416) 663-6963 or toll free at 1-877-368-6666. Our operating hours are 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday, Eastern Standard Time. At no time should equipment be sent back to Newcon without following the instructions of our technical support department. NEWCON OPTIK accepts no responsibility for unauthorized returns. To locate NEWCON Authorized Dealer call: Tel: (416) 663-6963 Fax: (416) 663-9065 Email: [email protected] Web: www.newcon-optik.com The defective products should be shipped to:

U.S. customers: 2498 Superior Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114

From all other countries: 105 Sparks Ave., Toronto, ON M2H 2S5, CANADA

26

9. Acceptance Certificate LASER RANGE FINDER LRB 25000 Serial number: _________________________________ Complies with all technical specifications and has passed the inspection.

Date of production: _________________________________

Quality Inspector: __________________________________

Quality Assurance Seal

27

R1 – 5.11

NEWCON OPTIK 

Printed in Canada