Vectronix PLRF10C User manual

PLRF10C / PLRF15CUser Manual
English, Version 2.0
III 2008
Pocket Laser Range Finder with
Compass

PLRF10C/15C - Pocket Laser Range
Finder with Compass
PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
2
PLRF10C/15C - Pocket Laser Range Finder with Compass
Purpose of Equipment
The PLRF10C/15C is a pocket size, handheld, button operated laser rangefinder with integrated
digital magnetic compass and sighting optic.
The PLRF10C/15C is capable to provide distance, azimuth and inclination information.
For safe use of the device, please note the safety directions
included in the User Manual.
© 2008 Vectronix AG, ® All rights reserved.

Contents PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
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Contents
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Safety Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Care and cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Changing the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Diopter adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Reticle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
General Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Distance Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Factors affecting measurement range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Complete measurement with data transfer
(slope distance, azimuth, inclination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Multiple object measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Distance between two objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Horizontal and vertical distance from own position to an object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Contents PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
4
Azimuth and inclination measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Factors influencing azimuth accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Azimuth measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Inclination measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Making adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Measuring 3 distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Electronic reticle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Night vision device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Night vision operation - Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Night vision operation - Remove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Measurement units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Distance gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Declination
compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Declination display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Declination setting / correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Set Factory Settings - Reset to default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Contents PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
5
Compass compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
General instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Compensation instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Perform compass compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Built-in-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Data transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Connecting the interface cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Data transfer format to PC,PLGR and GARMIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Interface Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
PLGR+96 / PLGR II Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
GARMIN Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Fall of shot - FOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Customer service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Quality system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

General Information PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
6
General Information
Safety Notices
Safety Class: 1
according to IEC60825-1 (2001-08)
Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance
Unaided eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 meter
Aided (7 x 50 binocular) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 meter
Intended purpose
The device
• is designed as a navigation aid;
• it can be used in addition to other instruments
or techniques;
• must never be used as a sole navigation
instrument.
Limitations of use
The device must not be used in the vicinity of
sensitive electrical equipment.
All other usage limitations are mentioned in the
technical specifications.

General Information PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
7
Inappropriate use
•Device deployment without prior knowledge of
the operating instructions and safety notices.
•Changes and modifications to the device by
the customer.
• Use of third-party accessories not expressly
approved by Vectronix AG.
Inappropriate use brings the risk of
• injuries;
•instrument errors;
• damage to property;
• malfunction;
Blinding hazard
• Do not look into powerful light sources with the
device.
• Do not open the device. The built-in laser can
cause eye injuries.
Explosion hazard
The battery must not be
• short-circuited;
• recharged;
• mechanically modified;
• placed in fire or heated above +85°C with the
device.
Caution:
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of
procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous laser light exposure.

Care and cleaning PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
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Care and cleaning
The devices performance and
serviceability are conditional on
regular care and immediate
attention to problems:
• Do not touch glass lenses
with fingers.
• Do not soil the operating
keys with oil or grease.
• Avoid abrupt temperature
transition, since these can
cause condensation
moisture to develop inside
the device.
The device does not need
special care or cleansers.
Therefore
• do not use any kind of
impregnated cloth intended
for cleaning spectacle
lenses,
• do not use any solvent
except water, e.g. no alcohol
or cleansers.
Lens cleaning
Particles of dirt should be blown
off or removed using a soft
brush.
Finger prints may be cleaned
first by wiping with a damp
cloth, followed by soft, clean
optical tissue or chamois
leather.
Cleaning the casing
Wipe the casing with a damp
cloth. Pay special attention to
dirt and grease around the
keys.
Blow out the device interface
cable socket, and clean it
carefully.
Allow the device to dry fully
before packing.
Cleaning the interface cable
Protect the cable from damp
and dirt as much as possible!
Wipe the cable with a damp
cloth. Blow out soiled cable
plugs with clean air, and leave
them to dry.

Technical Data PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
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Technical Data
Optics
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .monocular
Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6x
Objective diameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 mm
Field of view. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106mil / 6°
Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fixed
Dioptric setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >+2dpt to -4dpt
Magnetic Compass (azimuth and inclination)
Azimuth range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360° / 6400mil
Accuracy (1σ)
Azimuth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ± 10mil / ~0.6°
Inclination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ± 3mil / ~0.2°
Display resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1° / 1 mil
Max. inclination and bank angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 45°
Compass compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . menu driven
Declination
Array (adjustable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ± 99° / 999mil
Increment: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1° / 1mil

Technical Data PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
10
* at visibility 15km, 2.3 x 2.3m target size, albedo 0.4, detection probability >90%
Rangefinder PLRF10C PLRF15C
Laser type: IR diode 905 nm 1550 nm
Eye safety Class 1 Class 1
Standard IEC60825-1 Ed. 1.2 (2001-08) IEC60825-1 Ed. 1.2 (2001-08)
Range Performance 5m - 2500m 5m - 3000m
Specified Performance 1800m* 2500m*
Accuracy (1σ)±2 m ±2 m (>50m to <1500m)
±5 m (<50m / >1500m)
Beam divergence 0.3 x 1.5mil 0.5 x 2.0mil
Display Resolution 1m / 1ft / 1yd 1m / 1ft / 1yd

Technical Data PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
11
Miscellaneous
Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2x 3V lithium battery, type CR123A,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (IEC 60086-2(2004-02))
Battery capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 5000 measurements
Immersion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1m, 30min
Operational temperature range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -35°C to +63°C
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -31°F to +145°F
Storage temperature range (without battery). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40°C to +85°C
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40°F to +185°F
Weight with batteries and rubberized cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . < 670g / 1.5lbs
Dimensions with rubberized cover
length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125mm / 5.0in
width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101mm / 4.0in
height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65mm / 2.6in
Tripod interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/4 inch thread
Data interface: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RS 232

Getting started PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
12
Getting started
Changing the batteries
Open the battery compartment.
Insert two lithium batteries type CR123 with +(positive) pole
ahead.
Refit the battery cover. Tighten it completely until it stops.
The device monitors the condition of the batteries. If the display
shows "LobA", this indicates that the batteries are used up. You
can still get readings, but the batteries need to be replaced.
The "LobA" display may also appear under cold conditions, since
low temperature reduces the performance of the batteries.
Remove batteries before storing.

Getting started PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
13
Diopter adjustment
Sight on an object farther than 100 m away and
rotate the eyepiece to obtain a sharp image.
Standard setting: 0
If the device is being used by different
people, remember your personal diopter
setting.

Getting started PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
14
Reticle
Glass reticle
An engraved reticle can be used in place of the
electronic aiming mark.
Line spacing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 mils
Line-point spacing: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 mils
1 mil corresponds to 1 m spacing at a
distance of 1 km.
Electronic reticle
An illuminated aiming mark can be activated for
the use under poor lighting conditions.

Getting started PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
15
General Operations
The device is operated entirely
by means of the two keys.
: azimuth key
: distance key
Key operation is indicated by
the following symbols:
press and hold key
release key
press and release
key (click)
You can prolong the
display period by
holding down the range
key while the result is
displayed.
2
0
Hold the device steady during
measurement.
The device displays the
measurement result, then
switches itself off automatically
after a few seconds.

Distance Measurements PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
16
Distance Measurements
Factors affecting measurement range
Reflective properties Size of the target Oblique surfaces
Atmospheric conditions Vibration Lighting conditions

Distance Measurements PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
17
Complete measurement with data transfer
(slope distance, azimuth, inclination)
Press and hold the distance
key.
Sight the object with the aiming
mark
Hold the instrument steady as
you release the key.
"dIS" appears briefly followed
by the slope distance.
"- - - -" is displayed when no
distance could be detected.
While the display is on, press
and hold the distance key to get
the azimuth "AZi". Do the same
again to get the inclination "Inc".
Repeat above step to obtain the
distance "dIS" again.
The measurement data is transmitted to the serial interface after a measurement is taken.

Distance Measurements PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
18
Multiple object measurement
Up to three separate distances
in the line of sight can be
obtained with a single
measurement.
To use this feature, “3dOn”
must be activated in the config-
uration menu (see page 24).
A flashing display after
„dIS“ indicates that more than
one distance has been
detected.
Press and hold the distance key
repeatedly to scroll through all
obtained distances.
The order of the displayed
ranges is: strongest, second
strongest and third strongest
detected echo.
Always the distance with the strongest signal will be transmitted to the serial interface.

Distance Measurements PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
19
Distance between two objects
Press and hold the distance
key.
Sight the first object with the
aiming mark. Click the azimuth
key (> 0.5s) while holding the
device steady.
The first object measurement is
confirmed with "1-P" (first
point).
Sight the second object with the
aiming mark.
Release the distance key while
holding the device steady.
"dIS" appears briefly, followed
by the distance between the
two object.
2
0
1200 m

Distance Measurements PLRF10C/15C-2.0en
20
Horizontal and vertical distance from own position to an object
Click the distance key once,
then immediately press and
hold it down.
Sight the object with the aiming
mark.
Release the distance key while
holding the device steady. The
horizontal distance is displayed,
indicated with "Hd".
Press and hold distance button
while the display is on to obtain
the upright (vertical) distance,
indicated with "Ud".
Repeat it to get the horizontal
distance again.
1200 m
180 m