Laser rangefinder vs GPS and phone apps — what each one measures
Board-level modules · published single-unit prices · figures verified 2026-10-23
GPS measures your own position with metre-to-decimetre error and no target awareness. A laser rangefinder measures the distance to whatever the beam hits, to ±0.3 m at 100 m in our E-series and ±2 m on the eye-safe 1535 nm classes. Phone apps use the phone's camera and give a rough estimate, not a measured range.
Parts buyers usually weigh against ours
| Part | Position | Where the figures live |
|---|---|---|
| LightWare GRF500 | long-range OEM module | cross-reference page |
| iadiy LRF3K1LS | 3 km class | cross-reference page |
| Lumispot ELRF C16 | eye-safe class | cross-reference page |
| Benewake TF series | short/medium range | cross-reference page |
| Dimetix | cased industrial instrument | cross-reference page |
Their published prices are transcribed on the part-number cross-reference, with the date. We do not restate competitor specifications from memory.
Our ladder, for the same job
| Model | Range | Emitter | Blind zone | Supply | Published unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRF10VB | 0.05–9 m | 940 nm DToF | 5 cm | 3.3–5 V | $10 |
| LRF22VB | 0.05–20 m | 905 nm | 5 cm | 3.3–5 V | $12 |
| LRF50VB | 0.05–50 m | 905 nm | 5 cm | 3.3–5 V | $70 |
| LRF50H | 0.05–50 m | 905 nm | 5 cm | 9–36 V | $100 |
| LRF100H | 0.05–100 m | 905 nm | 5 cm | 9–36 V | $200 |
| LRF600H | 0.05–600 m | 905 nm | 5 cm | 9–36 V | $350 |
| LR1000E2 | 4–1,000 m | 905 nm | 4 m | 3.3–5 V | $80 |
| LR2000E2 | 4–2,000 m | 905 nm | 4 m | 3.3–5 V | $120 |
| LRF3000A1 | ≥3,000 m | 905 nm | 4 m | 3.3–5 V | $200 |
| LRF0105C | ≥3,000 m | 1535 nm | <15 m | 3.3–5 V | $500 |
| LRF0609C | ≥6,000 m | 1535 nm | <15 m | 3.3–5 V | $1,600 |
| LRF0610C | ≥6,000 m | 1535 nm | <15 m | 3.3–5 V | $1,000 |
| LRF1017C | ≥10,000 m | 1535 nm | <15 m | 3.3–5 V | $3,000 |
| LRF1830C | ≥18,000 m | 1535 nm | <15 m | 3.3–5 V | $7,000 |
What this page does not claim
It does not quote competitors' specifications from memory, and it publishes no number our catalogue does not carry. Where a figure matters and is unpublished, ask for the datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
The same answers are published below as visible text and as FAQPage structured data, so the page and the markup cannot drift apart.
- Do you publish prices?
- Yes — the published single-unit price for every class is on the price ladder page, dated 2026-10-23. Volume tiers sit below these numbers and are quoted per order.
- Against what target is the maximum range measured?
- Long-range figures are stated against a 2.3 × 2.3 m reference target at the stated reflectance and visibility; short-range classes are stated against a 90% whiteboard. Compare the test condition, not the headline metre count.
- What interface do the modules use?
- UART-TTL with a documented frame and checksum on every published class. There is no native analog or 4–20 mA output; RS-485 needs a host-side transceiver.
Related
- range-first selection table
- part-number cross-reference
- Laser rangefinder module selection
- Laser rangefinder modules for arduino / maker boards
- Laser rangefinder modules for golf launch products
- Laser rangefinder modules for uav / drone payload