Optical range finder and method for determining the range between an object and a reference point

The finder has a transmission optical unit (106) focusing a radiation pattern toward an object. A reception optical unit (110) receives electromagnetic radiation reflected from the object. A timer (118) determines an elapsed time between transmission of the radiation to the object and receipt of the radiation from the object. A data processor converts the elapsed time into a distance between the object and a reference point. An independent claim is also included for a method for determining a distance of an object from reference point.