Connecting your rangefinder

Connecting your rangefinder is a simple process that involves the following steps:

There is no standard method for connecting a rangefinder to your mobile GIS software since most rangefinders have unique configurations. By using this section and the documentation for your rangefinder and mobile device, it is fairly easy to successfully connect your rangefinder.

Determining what items are needed

Today most rangefinders connect via Bluetooth, however it is possible you will need one or more of the following items to connect your rangefinder to your mobile device:

Many rangefinders and mobile devices have unique fittings for their serial ports and require their own proprietary serial cables. Not all rangefinders, however, require all of the above items to connect to the mobile device.

Many serial cables that connect to the rangefinder on one end are designed to connect directly to a PC serial port on the other end using a standard DB9 serial connector. This is not true when connecting to many Windows Mobile devices since these devices usually have non-standard, proprietary serial ports. Consequently, a proprietary serial cable is usually required when connecting a rangefinder to a Windows Mobile device. This dependency on proprietary serial cables makes Bluetooth an attractive option for connecting serial devices.

Most rangefinder serial cables and Windows Mobile device proprietary serial cables have 9-pin DB9 female connectors on the ends that need to be connected together. Consequently, a 9-pin male-to-male gender changer is required to connect the two female serial cables. Finally, a null modem adapter or cable is usually needed when connecting a rangefinder to a Windows Mobile device, using the device’s sync cable.

Connecting your rangefinder

Using the information in the preceding discussion you should now be able to determine which cables, null modem adapters, and gender changers you will need to connect your rangefinder to your mobile GIS device. Assemble and connect the required items before moving to the next step of configuring your rangefinder. No assembly of cables and adapters is needed if you are using Bluetooth. Also, make sure that the batteries on your rangefinder are fully charged.

Configuring your rangefinder

You need to configure your rangefinder to output data in a protocol supported by your software. You also need to verify the communication parameters that your rangefinder is configured for, specifically the baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits.

If you are using Bluetooth, you will need to use the Bluetooth Manager on your mobile device to discover the rangefinder, and possibly to pair your rangefinder with your mobile device. Consult the documentation for your rangefinder and mobile device for more information on connecting via Bluetooth. Configuration within the Bluetooth Manager on the device must occur before attempting to connect within any software on the device.

Setting the rangefinder preferences in ArcPad

In order to activate your rangefinder, you first need to set the rangefinder communication parameters in ArcPad to match the parameters on your rangefinder. The rangefinder protocol and communication parameters are set in the Rangefinder Preferences dialog box.

First choose the protocol name that matches your device, then choose the port (and other communication parameters if required) that you have previously configured to communicate with your rangefinder.

You should now be able to select Rangefinder Active on the GPS and Rangefinder menu, to activate your rangefinder.

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9/23/2019