Distance measuring laser?

Hi All -

Thinking about giving one of these to my Dad for his upcoming birthday, mostly to use when anchoring to determine distance from the shore and other boats.

Does anyone have one that they love and would recommend?

Thanks!

Also, about how far does it need to measure? Honestly I have no idea how far we actually anchor from other boats - I only know if it looks like there is enough room or not :P

I use a Hilti PD-5 as a laser measure, but wouldn't use on the boat as it doesn't work well in bright sun. It is also a great cat toy.

A more helpful item to have on the boat is the Raymarine Ocean Scout FLIR. It is night vison monocular, a truly awesome daughter wouldn't even blink at the $600 price tag.

I second the above. A laser would be of very limited to no value. Night vision can be enormously useful.
G

Ah - thanks guys. Perhaps another suggestion then? $600 is a little steep, planning to spend around $150 :P

You've got the right idea but the wrong tool.
I love my Nikon range finder, works great day or night up to 600 yards. I sleep better at night knowing exactly, down to the yard or meter how much swing room I have.

You can generally find them on sale for $100. Of course you can spend a lot more for further range and higher accuracy, and for golfing or shooting that may make sense. But a basic one is all you need for boating.

I second that. The Nikon rangefinder is awesome and any sailor would love to have it. Much more practical than anything else I can think of!

See: Nikon rangefinder

Not nearly as prestigious as Mike's Hilti PD-5 though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I should have said, much more practical than anything else I can think of ... [color:"red"]in that price range[/color]

Not every personality is going to pack and carry that kind of stuff. We carry less each trip. Great eye-wear would get much more use from some sailors.

http://www.kaenon.com/lens-tint/

Once you get the new fabrics correct for you. You will never want cotton on a boat again.

TECHNICAL QUICK DRY SAILING SHIRTS

http://www.apsltd.com/sailing-clothing-apparel/sailing-shirts-rash-guards/technical-shirts.html

Every sailor should have at least one head to toe set of tropical weight technical apparel in a style they are willing to wear. Who likes wet clothes?

Every person who carries a knife should also have cord on their person 24/7.

https://www.survivalstraps.com/

Parachute cord can be very inexpensive. I always have some at the bottom of every bag.

The airlines make the new very personal PFD's a challenge. We should all have PFD's on every time we exit the cockpit.

Warning! With the FAA rules this one gets complicated!

https://www.mauripro.com/us/category/1-Life-Jackets-Inflatables.html

Once you rescue someone who has been in the water for any length of time you will become a believer in the PFD always on practice.

The win is? Will he pack it? Will he actually use the gift?

how 'bout a hand-held marine radio? You can pick one up for $99 > never have to use the boat radio to hail the marina/restaurant again. Plus, I never can seem to hear the boat radio when I'm talking at the wheel.

Most of the golf laser rangefinders cost about 300 bucks and are accurate to within a yard or so. I'm a golfer and use mine on the course, its a Bushnell Tour V3, good for about 1000yds with a 5x magnification. I don't use it on the water, but many's the time I wished that other boaters had a way of seeing and measuring how close they were to me...

Halo makes a nice laser rangefinder in your price range.
They are very popular with bowhunters. Any serious outdoor store sells them. Or get one on line!

I'll second the hand-held. We've had a few charters where the radio was "downstairs". Also handy talking to crew members in the dingy or ashore.