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Which laser rangefinder module fits a UAV gimbal or drone payload?

In a gimbal the mass budget decides first: most payloads can carry 10–120 g, which excludes the long-range 1535 nm assemblies. The 905 nm and 940 nm families start at 1.0 g (LRF10VB) and reach 3 km, while the compact 1535 nm modules occupy 14–40 g at 3–5 km. Choose by mass, then by update rate for the control loop.

Matching modules from the catalogue

Model	Wavelength	Published range	Accuracy	Mass	Interface
LRF0816C	1535 nm	8 km	±2 m	58 g	—
LRF0818C	1535 nm	8 km	±2 m	65 g	UART-TTL
LRF0609C	1535 nm	6 km	±2 m	62 g	UART-TTL
LRF0610C	1535 nm	6 km	±2 m	90 g	UART + RS-422
LRF0612C	1535 nm	6 km	±2 m	58 g	—
LRF0405C	1535 nm	4 km	±2 m	32 g	UART-TTL

The conditions behind those numbers

LRF0816C — Reference target(2.3m × 2.3m) ≥8,000m Measuring human target(0.5m × 1.7m) ≥1,500m
LRF0818C — Vehicle (2.3 m × 4.6 m): ≥ 8,000 m Human (0.5 m × 1.7 m): ≥ 4,500 m (design guarantee) Small object (0.2 m × 0.3 m): ≥ 2,600 m (design guarantee)
LRF0609C — Under visibility ≥ 12 km and relative humidity ≤ 60%, tested against a 0.3-reflectivity panel (or equivalent target): Vehicle (2.3 m × 4.6 m): ≥ 6,000 m;
LRF0610C — Reference target(2.3m × 2.3m) ≥6,000m Measuring human target(0.5m × 1.7m) ≥1,500m
LRF0612C — Reference target(2.3m × 2.3m) ≥6,000m Measuring human target(0.5m × 1.7m) ≥1,200m
LRF0405C — 4,000 m or more at 30% reflectance and visibility of at least 6 km

Full detail and the manufacturer's original wording: UAV gimbal page · all 59 range conditions · filter the catalogue yourself

Questions people ask about this

What mass is realistic for a gimbal payload?

Between about 10 g and 120 g depending on the gimbal class. Below 20 g the 905/940 nm parts are the only option; the 1535 nm family starts at 14 g in its smallest form.

Do I need an eye-safe wavelength on a drone?

If the beam can point at people, the wavelength decides how much energy is allowed. 1535 nm is absorbed by the cornea before the retina, which is why it permits far more pulse energy — and therefore range — for the same hazard class.

What update rate do gimbal loops need?

Above roughly 20 Hz for stabilisation, higher for tracking. Module rates in this catalogue run 0.5–10 Hz for long-range 1535 nm parts and up to 1 kHz for the 905 nm parts.

Send the requirement, not a part number Target size, reflectance, required range, mass budget, interface, quantity. Two candidates and their limiting factor come back. Email tommy@erdimail.com All answers

Figures transcribed from manufacturer pages on 2026-10-24. Conditions are quoted verbatim; nothing here extrapolates a range to a target the manufacturer did not test.