Re: [photo-3d] Stereo Base Calculation With a $20.00 Handheld

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Gromit wrote:
> I was just thinking of this project while walking to work this
> morning.  I had envisioned a little keypad, a PIC, and a two line
> display.  I thought I might be able to put together a special
> purpose device for less than $100.  It hadn't occured to me me that
> programmable calculators had become so cheap as to the correct
> platform for this.  It sure isn't worth building a dedicated piece
> of hardware when a general purpose solution is available so cheaply.
>
> The only thing that is missing from my envisioned solution is the
> connector to take the optional laser range finder expansion unit.
> 

Well if you used a HP-48 series calculator (HP-48S, HP-48-SX, HP-48G,
HP-48G+, HP-48GX, HP-49G) you would also have a serial port and the
built-in equation write and solver would make it easier to "program"
(actually you just have to type in the equation and enter values for
the variables).  TDS (Tripod Data Systems) has already built a
interface to various surveyor's equipment (including laser
rangefinders) and software for it.

The newer HP-48 series calculators are more expensive than the
calculators the original poster mentioned, but the older ones (the
long discontinued HP-48S and HP-48SX) should be available used for a
low price.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              | "Oooh!"
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
NAR# 54438                      |       "Dexter's Laboratory"