Mindboards

What is the difference?

Well, I want to find the distance to an object and not a binary yes/no regarding the presence of an object. So that unit needs to be modified significantly for either triangulation or phase shift calculations, in order to determine the distance. If you have an idea for realizing this with that unit, I would be glad to hear it.

Also the range is less than my requirement, but that can probably be increased by using a more powerful laser and an APD for detection.

Hello

I was thinking to get this sort of sensor, with a laser led and a NXTCAM, with the help of some math, an idea find here in this quite old article: http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/ ... vision.htm
The problem i have is that the lens i used was filtering the length of the led, so not red dot was displayed bu the NXTCAM... i have to experiment with the second lens i ordered and received months ago...

You also have the possibility to try hacking a comercial laser rangefinder available in any construction store as here : http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/323
Not yet completly fonctional, but promising

You also can follow the danelle denedetti idea explosed here: http://robotics.benedettelli.com/smartWheelchair.htm, you get the laser unit, and interface the lidar with your NXT: http://robotbox.net/blog/gallamine/open ... 200-bounty

Hope this help
Ben

Would it not be possible to use a standard laser rangefinder by intercepting the data flow from the calculation module to the LCD screen?