Interesting Kickstarter product to bring on the boat :)

[kaz911]

I just backed these guys on Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ikegps/spike-laser-accurate-measurement-and-modelling-on

It is a Phone attachable laser range finder. It can be used (for boating) to:

1. Measure a bridge height up to 300 meters ahead
2. Measure a tight berth - will it fit? Just take a picture and measure on screen
3. Measure distance to another boat or buoy
4. Measure other things on your boat with reasonable precision - like - will the dinghy fit the swim platform? Even take pictures at an angle and straighten them in software for a flat model.

The guys making it have many years experience in making commercial $8000+ range finders. This is their first "SmartPhone" integrated product - but looks very smart. You can even 3D model big buildings and send the 3D data directly to Google SketchUp and place them in Google Earth.

I'm not affiliated with them in any way apart from being a backer - but I think that is a product worth getting at the "kickstarter" low prices which I think is about 40% off projected retail price.

 

[JimFromMD]

I have actually taken my golf laser range finder on the boat several times, more for fun/curiosity, but it has come in handy when trying to determine if you are drifting on the hook or how far you are from something.

There are a ton of uses for that kickstarter if it takes off.

 

[kaz911]

I have actually taken my golf laser range finder on the boat several times, more for fun/curiosity, but it has come in handy when trying to determine if you are drifting on the hook or how far you are from something.

There are a ton of uses for that kickstarter if it takes off.

Its already fully funded and from a reputable company already in the industry - so I think they will deliver. The only question is if you want to get in while it is cheap

They reached one "mile stone" - if they reached $150.000 in funding - range would go from 200 meter to 300 meter (about 330 yards for those who count that way) - and that is done.

Next milestone is $200.000 - if they reach that - they will make a "point cloud" from your laserscan by waving the device in front of the object. That means if you 3D scan a building it will get more details in the scan.