Garmin acquires Applied Ballistics
Garmin is acquiring Applied Ballistics. The company announced the agreement on 16 September 2026, extending a partnership that it says has lasted almost ten years. Financial details were not disclosed.
Measurement & ballistics
Rangefinders, chronographs and ballistic data explained alongside current developments. Learn what each device measures and how target surfaces, weather and measurement accuracy affect its results.
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How does a ballistic model differ from a measurement?
A measurement records a value with an instrument. A model calculates further results from known or assumed values. A rangefinder might, for example, measure a direct distance while also displaying a calculated equivalent distance. Both numbers appear on the same screen, but are produced differently.
Why is maximum measuring range not an everyday guarantee?
The greatest advertised measuring distance is achieved under particular conditions. A large reflector often returns much more light than a small or angled object. The colour visible to the eye does not reliably indicate how well a surface reflects the laser light being used.
How do line-of-sight distance and horizontal distance differ?
Line-of-sight distance is the straight connection between the measuring instrument and the object. Think of a taut string. If the object is higher or lower, this connection runs at an angle. The horizontal separation is then shorter. It is called horizontal distance. Instruments with an inclination sensor can calculate it from their measurements.
What is beam divergence, and why can readings mix different objects?
A laser beam does not stay indefinitely narrow over a long distance. The illuminated area grows. This spreading is called beam divergence. The area may also grow differently in width and height. The aiming mark visible on the display therefore does not necessarily show the laser spot’s actual size and shape.
How do rain, fog, glass and bright sunlight affect measurements?
Fog and raindrops can scatter laser light. Less light may then return from the actual object. Drops or particles in front of it may also generate returns of their own. The strength of this effect depends on the weather, instrument and measurement situation. One blanket correction for every rainy day would therefore not be meaningful.
What does a rangefinder’s laser class tell us?
The laser class is a safety classification of the instrument. It considers factors including the type of laser light, accessible radiation and the duration of possible exposure. The class is not a ranking for image quality or measuring range.
How do monoculars, rangefinding binoculars and digital displays differ?
A monocular is used with one eye. Rangefinding binoculars combine a two-eyed view with distance measurement. Two viewing channels do not automatically mean two independent measuring systems, however. The arrangement of transmitter, receiver and optical channels depends on the design.
How do batteries, temperature and data connections affect a rangefinder?
A rangefinder needs a suitable power supply. Battery type, charge level and temperature affect it. Less usable energy may be available in the cold than at room temperature. A manufacturer’s stated number of possible measurements therefore applies only under the conditions given. Display brightness and wireless connections can also change power consumption.
What do velocity, energy and ballistic coefficient tell us?
Velocity describes how fast a bullet moves and is stated in metres per second. Kinetic energy is stated in joules and depends on both mass and velocity. Bullets with different weights and speeds can therefore have similar energy values.
How does a laser rangefinder work?
Many laser rangefinders work like an extremely fast stopwatch. They emit short pulses of light and detect some of the light returning from an object. They calculate distance from the time taken for the outward and return journey. This is called time-of-flight measurement. Other optical measuring instruments may use different methods; not every laser sensor works the same way.
How do resolution, accuracy and repeatability differ?
Resolution, accuracy and repeatability describe different things. Resolution is the smallest step the display can show. Accuracy describes how far a measured value may differ from the actual value. Repeatability shows how similar repeated measurements of the same unchanged object are.