FIELD TECH Field Tech: A Look at Laser Technology’s TruPulse 200X

By Steve Wilent meaning that is well protected from water as ince the first Field Tech column back well as dust. The user’s manual does not list in January 2009, several readers have a rating for resistance to damage from phys- Sasked me what my favorite tool is, or ical shock, but says the instrument “will which measurement device I think is the withstand a reasonable drop shock.” “best.” The answer, of course, is “that de- I used the 200X in a variety of winter pends.” Depends on the job, the crew, the weather conditions, from rain to bright sun, woods, the terrain, and the weather, and and in temperatures ranging from 18 de- maybe the strength of my morning cup of grees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, after coffee, too. It might be that all I need is my leaving the device in my truck overnight hand compass and logger’s and diameter when the temperature was below 20 de- tapes, plus a Rite in the Rain notebook and a grees, the TruPulse operated normally from pencil. But if I wanted to add an electronic the moment I turned it on (even if I was measurement tool to that gear, I’d more than moving a bit lower than usual). likely take a TruPulse 200X, which is made My loaner 200X came with two non- by Laser Technology Inc. (www.lasertech rechargeable three-volt CR123A batteries, .com). one installed and one spare. These are a I’ve reviewed two other products in the fairly common and inexpensive type (~$2 TruPulse line: The TruPulse 360B (March each, in name-brand multipacks) that are 2009) and TruPulse 200L (June 2014). The used in some digital cameras. According to 200L’s reporting of measurements in one- Laser Technology, one of these batteries meter increments is a weakness, though the typically lasts 12 hours. Rechargeable instrument is valuable for many purposes CR123A batteries are available at roughly and costs about one-quarter of the more- twice the cost. The rechargeable batteries capable 360B. The 360B’s three-dimen- I’ve used—AA and D cells—work well sional missing-line function and internal enough, though the life of a charge doesn’t LED display are two key strengths, making last as long as that of non-rechargeables. it an ideal tool for many foresters. Like the Laser Technology’s TruPulse 200X, a laser rangefinder/hypsometer with a 2-D missing line As far as I’m concerned, the TruPulse other TruPulse models, the 200X calculates function. 200X has no significant weaknesses and horizontal, vertical, and slope distance; in- plenty of strengths. It provides more than clination in degrees or percent; and tree top of the stem amongst all of the other Table 1 shows some example results. In adequate accuracy for forestry measure- height using a three-point height routine. branches and stems I saw through the scope. most cases, the measurements differed by ments, and the scope’s bright red internal The ruggedized TruPulse 200X and Even when I tried to “follow” the stem up about one inch. In HT measurements, the re- display and adjustable focus are outstanding 360R are the top of the 200 and 360 lines. from the base, I often lost the stem before I sults I obtained “the old fashioned way” features. If you need the three-dimensional Aside from color, these are visually identi- reached the top, and then had trouble find- usually were within a foot or two of the missing-line function, the 360R is a viable cal (the 200X is black and red; the 360R is ing it again, even though I could see the top TruPulse heights (Table 2). option, though you’d have to do without the all black). Both are equipped with Blue- fairly well without the scope. A zoom lens The two-dimensional missing-line func- red LED display. Is the 200X it worth the tooth, the short-distance wireless technol- would likely help in this case. tion comes in handy for measuring the $1,795 price tag? I say yes, but that depends, ogy. Each retails for the same price: $1,795. Still, there’s no getting around the fact length of leaning or downed trees or logs. I of course, on your needs and budget. The key difference is that the 200X has no that you can’t always have a clear view of a used this function to measure the mer- internal compass and thus offers a two- tree or other object in the woods, whatever chantable length of several red alders that dimensional missing-line function (length device you’re using. In some circumstances, have been leaning at about 30 degrees from and inclination, but not azimuth, as with the (“Research” continued from page 13) 360R). However, the 200X’s distance accu- racy is just plus or minus four centimeters that, if you assist the owners in meeting (about 1.5 inches), according to Laser Tech- the goals that they have for their forest, nology, a bit better than the 360R’s 30 cm then gradually engagement can evolve (about 1 foot). There are a few other differ- into active stewardship. That’s what I’m ences that are not likely to be important to suggesting that we do with these middle most foresters. For example, the 200X’s groups. We meet them where they are, inclination accuracy (+/- 0.1 degree) is understand them where they are, and slightly better than the 360R’s (+/- 0.25 translate what we have to offer to match degree). that and move forward. Another important difference is that the I think our findings have a lot of TruPulse 200X has a red LED internal dis- merit, but I would really love for people play that makes targeting and reading values to read this article and then go out and easier than the 360R’s black LED display. try what we’ve suggested, to go out and What’s more, you can adjust the brightness implement programs that are family- of the 200X’s display from dim (level 1) to Table 1. Comparison of horizontal distance Table 2. Tree heights measured with an based or that focus on habitat issues. bright (level 5). In my tests of the 200X (the measured with a logger’s tape and a analog clinometer and a TruPulse 200X They could take what we consider to be company sent me a loaner for review in De- TruPulse 200X laser rangefinder. laser rangefinder. traditional forest management teaching, cember), I found this red LED display to be and maybe change the language a little very clear and easy to read under a range of it may help to switch from the default Stan- vertical since a wind storm hit the area last bit so that the content is the same, but weather and shade conditions. dard Target Mode to any of the TruPulse’s winter. The missing-line function has many the language and the setting is more ap- Both the TruPulse 200X and 360R offer five other target modes: Closest, Farthest, other uses, such as measuring the distance pealing to these groups of landowners. a 7x magnification scope with a focus ad- Gate (acquires targets only beyond a set dis- and inclination between a cable yarder and I’d like to see where that goes. justment ring. In my experience, the magni- tance), Continuous, and Filter (for use with tailhold. For cable settings, the 360R’s For more information about family fication can be both a help and a hindrance: an optional reflector and foliage filter). An three-dimensional missing-line function forest landowners, see “Effectiveness of In many cases it assists in targeting distant “inside gate” mode that targets only objects might prove more valuable, because you’d Landowner Assistance Activities: An objects, but sometimes it makes picking out within a specified distance, such as an in- also obtain the azimuth. Examination of the USDA Forest Ser- the top of a tree in a crowded stand more dif- ventory plot radius, would be welcome. The TruPulse 200X is compact enough vice’s Forest Stewardship Program,” by ficult that it would be with a clinometer or to fit in larger cruiser-vest pockets and Brett J. Butler et al, Journal of Forestry, other tool that lets you use both eyes — one Measurement Data weighs just 13.5 ounces. It fits in the hand March 2014; and the “Tools for Engag- on the instrument’s crosshair and one on the To test the TruPulse’s accuracy, I com- easily—I like the horizontal orientation of ing Landowners” section in Introduc- treetop or other object. For example, in pared measurements of horizontal distance the 200X and 360R much better than the tion to Consulting Forestry, a book pub- measuring a 70-foot western hemlock from (HD) and tree height (HT) made with the vertical arrangement of the 360B and earlier lished by SAF in 2013 (available via the about 100 feet away, the scope helped me 200X with measurements I made with a log- TruPulse models. The textured rubber grips SAF Store, Amazon.com, and other out- aim the laser at the base of the butt — I ger’s tape and analog clinometer. In measur- make the device easy to hold on to, even lets). See also the Family Forest Re- picked a moss-free area, thinking that it ing HD, I mounted the TruPulse on a tripod, when wet. And getting it wet is okay. Ac- search Center, www.familyforestresea would offer a better reflective surface. How- measured the distance to a tree, and then cording to Laser Technology’s documenta- rchcenter.org. ever, I found it difficult to find the narrow used the tape to check the TruPulse reading. tion, the TruPulse 200X is IP 56 rated,

The Forestry Source 14 February 2015