SMART RANGER 2
tiny ultrasonic and radio distance measurement tool for film sets

WHAT
A small tag and a receiver unit.

WHY
Because distances need to just follow selected targets to ease the work of focus pullers.

HOW
Harmeless waves are making their way through air. The receiver collects the data and calculates the distance. The distance can be displayed on every hand unit.
A NEW ERA OF DISTANCE TRACKING - SMART RANGER 2
- Distance measurement up to 3 different subjects
- Determining the distance of a subject before it´s visible in the camera’s field of view
- Measuring through glass panes, clothing, a wall of leaves and nearly everything else.
From long shots to close-up. Tag your distance.
Simplify and improve your distance measurement with SMART RANGER 2.
The tiny ultrasonic and radio distance measurement tool for film sets.
Simple as that. SMART RANGER 2 simply works.

WHAT IS SMART RANGER 2
SIMPLY SMART
SMART RANGER 2 is a dual distance measurement tool. SMART RANGER 2 makes effortless distance measurements up to 3 subjects, even with moving subjects or cameras. The resulting distance values are always available for the focus puller.
SMART RANGER 2 is based on two different technologies. First, as traditional ultrasonic measuring instrument, SMART RANGER 2 measures the distance to a subject in front of the camera by ultrasonic signal. Second, the smart instrument is also a base unit for two mobile radio reflectors (called: tag). The tag can be fixed to a subject or positioned in the working area, while the base unit is mounted on the camera. Distance measurement between subject and film plane is performed automatically and independently.
Distance measurement has never been easier: Place the base unit and tag as desired. Turn on the system. View the measurement data on the display. That’s it.
And additionally: it is way smaller than traditional tools!
TAG YOUR DISTANCE
The SMART RANGER 2 tag can easily capture subjects that are far away to the camera, even when subjects are moving. And also glass panes, walls of leaves or clothes are easy to measure through with the tag.
MEASUREMENT COULD NOT BE EASIER
EASY ASSEMBLY AND MEASUREMENT
SMART RANGER 2 allows the simultaneous measuring based on an ultrasonic signal and a measured distances of up to two radio tags. All three measurement results are shown at a small display at the base unit. Switching between tag measurement and ultrasonic measurement is always possible.
The focus puller maintains an overview of all the distances on the film set at any given time. In particular when dealing with moving subjects or a moving camera.
The very small and lightweight base unit can be fixed on any film camera and can be powered by the film camera battery itself. Simply turn on base unit and tag and view the distance automatically.
Save valuable time and money on the set, by cutting off reference marking.

USE CASES

Following some examples of typical use cases:
- all traditional ultrasonic distance measurement cases at the film set
- determining the distance of the actor’s eyes and simultaneously tracking two other subjects
- continuously determining the distances of moving subjects or objects
- switching from long shots to close-up or moving away from close-up
- measuring outside of the camera’s field-of-view
- measure everywhere, even behind a corner
- Steadicam or gimbal use
- crane, cable cam and dolly use
- simple setting of 2 marker points
- The camera is on a pick-up car or on car crane, the subject is another car.
- difficult surrounding (ships on the sea, ...)
- Measuring through glass panes or tree leaves
- Easy automatic focus (in case of connected objective motor)
- And many more ...
ROBUST DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
ROBUST DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
Base unit and tag are connected via a highly robust but harmless radio connection. With SMART RANGER 2, measurements can be performed inside and outside of buildings. The transponder can be attached to the human body. The transmission power of the system is many times smaller than those of a mobile phone, wireless lens control system or wireless video link. SMART RANGER 2 works parallel to these radio systems. They are not impacted or disturbed, and do in turn neither impact nor disturb the distance measurement.
SMART RANGER 2 uses a special radio technology that results in a low susceptibility to failure. Therefore measuring through glass or plastic panes, wooden walls, tree leaves or clothing is possible.
CONNECTING AND EXPANDING
INTEGRATION
The SMART RANGER 2 base station has a Lemo 6p serial interface that can be used for connecting a lens control system (LCS). This makes it possible to display the distance value on the LCS hand unit. This option is available for all lens control systems supporting the ultrasonic measurement systems cinetape or Arri UDM, for example systems by Arri, cmotion, Preston or Chrosziel.
Additionally 2 Lemo 4p CAN bus interfaces are available to link the system. On a special display unit the distance values are even easier to read. The display unit is available as additional device. The "Betz lens motor" can be directly connected to this interface.

MESUREMENT RANGE AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Dual distance measurement tool
with distance determination based on ultrasound and /or microwave tag
Ultrasonic | Radio tag | |
Range: | 0,23m – 8m | 0,4m – 30m (80m on clear sight) |
Accuracy: | +-1cm @1m to +-2cm@6m | +-13cm (at all distances) |
Measurement Rate: | 60ms | 80ms |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Base unit: | |
Size: | 75x64x56mm 180g 2,4“ TFT display included |
Electrical Interfaces: | 2x Lemo 0B 4polig; CAN bus protocol and power 1x Lemo 1B 6polig; „cinetape“ protocol and power 1x Micro USB for update |
Mechanical interface: | 3 x UNC ¼-20 |
Power: | 9 – 32V DC |
Temperature Range: | -20 bis + 60°C |
Tag: | |
Size: | 72x71x15mm3 88g (battery included) |
Amount of tags for one base unit: | 2 |
Technology: | Ultrawide band radio technology; IEEE802.15.4-20113,5GHz – 6,5GHz |
Electrical Interface: | 1x Micro USB for charging and update |
Power: | Internal LiPo battery Runtime > 20h |
Temperature Range: | -20 bis + 60°C |
Display unit: | |
Size: | 105x89x24 mm3 3,5“ TFT display included 256g |
Electrical Interfaces: | 1x Lemo 0B 4polig; CAN bus protocol and power 1x Lemo 1B 6polig; „cinetape“ protocol and power 1x Micro USB for update |
Mechanical interface: | 1 x UNC ¼-20 |
Power: | 9 – 32V DC |
Temperature Range: | -20 bis + 60°C |
Changes of technical specifications reserved.
International patent pending.
COMPARISION TO IMAGE+
SMART RANGER 2 VS. IMAGE+
Both SMART RANGER 2 and IMAGE+ are distance measurement devices for the film set. Their areas of application, however, are different.
SMART RANGER 2 provides automatic distance measurement between an anchor unit (display unit) and a reflector (tag). SMART RANGER works without manual operation or manual adjustment. Prior to the shooting, the operator determines the reference markers by placing the tag in space or fixing them to a subject. | IMAGE+ creates a 3D image of a scene that contains an unlimited number of distance values. There is no need to have markers on the set. On set, there will be no disturbances due to marking or laser measurement. The operator chooses the point on which to focus. By means of various settings, an automatic measurement run can also be performed. Before or during the actual shooting, the operator can decide which area is to be focused. Via autotracking function, the subject is followed automatically. The measurements carried out by IMAGE+ are extremely accurate and performed in real time. The resulting 3D image can be used for further processing (post production, computer graphics, etc.). |