War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Rangefinder

2021-11-18T23:44:42Z

U21489372: added US and German tanks to laser rangefinder table

<div class="object-info clearfix" align="justify">

==Description ==
The '''rangefinder''' is a device used to determine the range to a target. The key to use the rangefinder can be bound in Controls > Ground Vehicles > Miscellaneous.

Depending on the tank and era, several methods and equipment can be used: visual estimation, optical rangefinders, or laser rangefinders. When using the rangefinder in-game, a small bar will fill up (located up and to the right of your reticle in binocular or sniper view) and on completion the estimated range will be displayed (located up and to left of the binocular and sniper view). If what you have attempted to range is beyond the maximum distance of you rangefinder, then the result will simply be displayed as ">[maximum range]".

==Rangefinding methods==
===Visual Estimation===
Visual estimation is the most basic form of rangefinding. In its simplest form, it involves a person estimating the distance to a target without the help of any extra tools. However this is commonly assisted by the use of some reference material, like stadia lines, which give the user an idea of roughly how large or small certain common objects will be at a given distance.
In-game, this applies to tanks without any other form of ranging equipment researched, has a maximum range of 800-1,200 m depending on crew skill, and takes roughly six seconds. It is both the slowest and least accurate type of ranging. This inaccuracy is especially problematic for vehicles that use low velocity shells like HE, HEAT, HEATFS, and HESH where the drop of the shell is severe enough that small differences between the displayed range and actual range will result in a missed shot when aiming at targets that are further away. The degree of inaccuracy for visual rangefinding is directly related to your gunner's rangefinding [[Crew skills|crew skill]]. At base level any range estimation beyond 400 m can be off by ±50 m, more than enough to cause a miss for many vehicles that already struggle to engage at long distances

===Optical rangefinder===
[[File:Mods tank rangefinder.png|alt=An image of the tank rangefinder modification|frameless|left]]While coming in a few different forms, such as the stereoscopic and the coincidence rangefinder, optical rangefinders can be found on many tanks. With a few exception they begin to appear on post-WW2 vehicles but are quickly replaced by laser rangefinders in later, more modern, vehicles. Despite definite advantages in accuracy, especially over long distances, the optical rangefinder never reaches the level of universal adoption of its successor and is relatively short-lived with regards to tanks. In-game, optical rangefinders are a clear improvement. The optical rangefinder has an increased maximum range and decreased maximum error over tanks without ranging equipment, with their maximum distance topping out at 2 km, and substantially faster at only around three seconds.

===Laser rangefinder===
[[File:Mods tank laser rangefinder.png|alt=An image of the laser rangefinder modification icon|frameless|left]]Laser rangefinders are the most common form of rangefinding equipment on modern tanks. It is often part of a larger Fire Control System, a computerized system that allow a tank to automatically adjust the gun to compensate for (depending on the particular system) distance, weather, target movement, and/or projectile type.
In-game, the laser rangefinder is the best available, being the fastest, most accurate, and having the furthest maximum range at 5 km. It takes roughly 1 second to get the range making it possible to use quickly, even mid-fight. In addition to this, most vehicles with laser rangefinders do have some form of fire control system modelled, allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust the zero of the gun to the range measured, making rapid and accurate long range shots much easier to hit consistently.

==List of in-game vehicles with rangefinders by type==
===Optical Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|-
| style="text-align:center" | IV
| ||{{ Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_f_panther }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_panther_II }} || {{ Specs-Link|ussr_asu_85 }} || {{ Specs-Link|uk_fv4202 }} || {{ Specs-Link|jp_type_61 }} {{ Specs-Link|jp_st_a3 }} || || || || |
|-
| style="text-align:center" | V
| {{Specs-Link|us_m47_patton_II}} {{Specs-Link|us_m48a1_patton_III}} {{Specs-Link|us_m60}} {{Specs-Link|us_m103}} {{Specs-Link|us_t54e1 }} {{Specs-Link|us_magach_3 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m48a2c }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_I }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m47 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_kwk46 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|ussr_su_122_54 }} {{ Specs-Link|ussr_object_268}}
| {{ Specs-Link|uk_conqueror_mk_2 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|jp_m47_patton_II }}
| {{ Specs-Link|cn_m48a1_patton_III}}
| {{ Specs-Link|it_m47_105}} {{ Specs-Link|it_m60a1_ariete}}
| {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30_1972 }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_surbaisse }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_foch }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30 }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_surblinde }} ||
|-
| style="text-align:center" | VI
| {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a1 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a1_rise_passive_era}}
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m48a2ga2}} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_I_a1 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2_pt14 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|ussr_t_64a_1971}} {{ Specs-Link|ussr_object_279 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_3 }} {{ Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_5 }}
| || || || {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30_ACRA}} ||
|}

===Laser Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|-
| style="text-align:center" | V
| || {{ Specs-Link|germ_marder_1a1 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_marder_1a3 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_wiesel_1_mk20 }} || || || || || || || |
|-
| style="text-align:center" | VI
| {{ Specs-Link|us_m3a3_bradley }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a3_tts }} {{ Specs-Link|us_xm_803 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_mbt_70 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1_abrams }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1_ip_abrams }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m247 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a2 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_xm1_gm }} {{ Specs-Link|us_merkava_mk_1 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_xm1_chrysler }} {{ Specs-Link|us_merkava_mk_2b_late }} {{ Specs-Link|us_xm_8 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_begleitpanzer_57 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_thyssen_henschel_tam }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_radpanzer_90 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_super_m48 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_kpz_70 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_1a5 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2k }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2a4 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_wiesel_2_adwc }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_sk105_a2 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_thyssen_henschel_tam_2ip }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_a1a1_120 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_vt_1_2 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_th_800_bismark }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_c2_mexas }}
| || || || || || || |
|-
| style="text-align:center" | VII
| {{ Specs-Link|us_hstv_l }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1a1_abrams }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1a1_hc_abrams }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1a2_abrams }} {{ Specs-Link|us_adats_bradley }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m1128_mgs }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a3_slep }} {{ Specs-Link|us_merkava_mk_3d }}
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_thyssen_henschel_tam_2c }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2a5 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2a6 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_flarakpz_1 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_flarakrad }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2pl }}
| || || || || || || |
|}

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|lSFUnQKIyGE|'''Rangefinding (ground vehicles)''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''|MGMpCqr1p84|'''How to aim better''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the type of technology;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

[[Category:Modules_and_modifications]]

Rangefinder

2021-11-18T02:26:09Z

U21489372: added table of tanks with non-visual estimate rangefinders

<div class="object-info clearfix" align="justify">

==Description ==
The '''rangefinder''' is a device used to determine the range to a target. The key to use the rangefinder can be bound in Controls > Ground Vehicles > Miscellaneous.

Depending on the tank and era, several methods and equipment can be used: visual estimation, optical rangefinders, or laser rangefinders. When using the rangefinder in-game, a small bar will fill up (located up and to the right of your reticle in binocular or sniper view) and on completion the estimated range will be displayed (located up and to left of the binocular and sniper view). If what you have attempted to range is beyond the maximum distance of you rangefinder, then the result will simply be displayed as ">[maximum range]".

==Rangefinding methods==
===Visual Estimation===
Visual estimation is the most basic form of rangefinding. In its simplest form, it involves a person estimating the distance to a target without the help of any extra tools. However this is commonly assisted by the use of some reference material, like stadia lines, which give the user an idea of roughly how large or small certain common objects will be at a given distance.
In-game, this applies to tanks without any other form of ranging equipment researched, has a maximum range of 800-1,200 m depending on crew skill, and takes roughly six seconds. It is both the slowest and least accurate type of ranging. This inaccuracy is especially problematic for vehicles that use low velocity shells like HE, HEAT, HEATFS, and HESH where the drop of the shell is severe enough that small differences between the displayed range and actual range will result in a missed shot when aiming at targets that are further away. The degree of inaccuracy for visual rangefinding is directly related to your gunner's rangefinding [[Crew skills|crew skill]]. At base level any range estimation beyond 400 m can be off by ±50 m, more than enough to cause a miss for many vehicles that already struggle to engage at long distances

===Optical Rangefinder===
[[File:Mods tank rangefinder.png|alt=An image of the tank rangefinder modification|thumb|The Tank Rangefinder modification icon]]While coming in a few different forms, such as the stereoscopic and the coincidence rangefinder, optical rangefinders can be found on many tanks. With a few exception they begin to appear on post WW2 vehicles but are quickly replaced by laser rangefinders in later, more modern, vehicles. Despite definite advantages in accuracy, especially over long distances, the optical rangefinder never reaches the level of universal adoption of its successor and is relatively short-lived with regards to tanks. In-game, optical rangefinders are a clear improvement. The optical rangefinder has an increased maximum range and decreased maximum error over tanks without ranging equipment, with their maximum distance topping out at 2 km, and substantially faster at only around three seconds.

[[File:Mods tank laser rangefinder.png|alt=An image of the laser rangefinder modification icon|thumb|The Laser Rangefinder modification icon]]

===Laser Rangefinder===
Laser rangefinders are the most common form of rangefinding equipment on modern tanks. It is often part of a larger Fire Control System, a computerized system that allow a tank to automatically adjust the gun to compensate for (depending on the particular system) distance, weather, target movement, and/or projectile type.
In-game, the laser rangefinder is the best available, being the fastest, most accurate, and having the furthest maximum range at 5 km. It takes roughly 1 second to get the range making it possible to use quickly, even mid-fight. In addition to this, most vehicles with laser rangefinders do have some form of fire control system modelled, allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust the zero of the gun to the range measured, making rapid and accurate long range shots much easier to hit consistently.

==List of in-game vehicles with Rangefinders by type (not including visual estimation)==
===Optical Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|-
| style="text-align:center" | IV
| ||{{ Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_f_panther }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_panther_II }} || {{ Specs-Link|ussr_asu_85 }} || {{ Specs-Link|uk_fv4202 }} || {{ Specs-Link|jp_type_61 }} {{ Specs-Link|jp_st_a3 }} || || || || |
|-
| style="text-align:center" | V
| {{Specs-Link|us_m47_patton_II}} {{Specs-Link|us_m48a1_patton_III}} {{Specs-Link|us_m60}} {{Specs-Link|us_m103}} {{Specs-Link|us_t54e1 }} {{Specs-Link|us_magach_3 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m48a2c }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_I }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m47 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_kwk46 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|ussr_su_122_54 }} {{ Specs-Link|ussr_object_268}}
| {{ Specs-Link|uk_conqueror_mk_2 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|jp_m47_patton_II }}
| {{ Specs-Link|cn_m48a1_patton_III}}
| {{ Specs-Link|it_m47_105}} {{ Specs-Link|it_m60a1_ariete}}
| {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30_1972 }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_surbaisse }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_foch }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30 }} {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_50_surblinde }} ||
|-
| style="text-align:center" | VI
| {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a1 }} {{ Specs-Link|us_m60a1_rise_passive_era}} |
| {{ Specs-Link|germ_mkpz_m48a2ga2}} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_I_a1 }} {{ Specs-Link|germ_leopard_2_pt14 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|ussr_t_64a_1971}} {{ Specs-Link|ussr_object_279 }}
| {{ Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_3 }} {{ Specs-Link|uk_chieftain_mk_5 }}
| || || || {{ Specs-Link|fr_amx_30_ACRA}} ||
|}

===Laser Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|}

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|lSFUnQKIyGE|'''Rangefinding (ground vehicles)''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''|MGMpCqr1p84|'''How to aim better''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the type of weapon;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

[[Category:Modules_and_modifications]]

User:U21489372

2021-11-18T00:51:22Z

U21489372: Working

Work in progress on rangefinder vehicle list

==List of in-game vehicles with Rangefinders by type (not including visual estimation)==
===Optical Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|-
| || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|-
| Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|-
| Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|}

===Laser Rangefinder===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center" | '''Rank'''
! '''[[File:USA flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USA ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USA ground vehicles|USA]]'''
! '''[[File:Germany flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Germany ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Germany ground vehicles|Germany]]'''
! '''[[File:USSR flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:USSR ground vehicles]] [[:Category:USSR ground vehicles|USSR]]'''
! '''[[File:Britain flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Britain ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Britain ground vehicles|Britain]]'''
! '''[[File:Japan flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Japan ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Japan ground vehicles|Japan]]'''
! '''[[File:China flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:China ground vehicles]] [[:Category:China ground vehicles|China]]'''
! '''[[File:Italy flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Italy ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Italy ground vehicles|Italy]]'''
! '''[[File:France flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:France ground vehicles]] [[:Category:France ground vehicles|France]]'''
! '''[[File:Sweden flag.png|60px|border|link=Category:Sweden ground vehicles]] [[:Category:Sweden ground vehicles|Sweden]]'''
|
|-style="text-align:center" | I
|| Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|-
| Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|-
| Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example || Example
|}

Rangefinder

2021-11-18T00:38:05Z

U21489372:

Rangefinder

2021-11-18T00:25:31Z

U21489372: added icon images for laser and optic sections

Talk:Rangefinder

2021-11-16T17:26:03Z

U21489372: Created page with "==To Do== ===Vehicle List=== will add a list/table of all vehicles with optical or laser rangefinders"

==To Do==
===Vehicle List===
will add a list/table of all vehicles with optical or laser rangefinders

User talk:U21489372

2021-11-16T17:13:54Z

U21489372: Created page with "This is mostly here so people can tell me what I did wrong and how to correct it"

This is mostly here so people can tell me what I did wrong and how to correct it

Rangefinder

2021-11-15T21:11:47Z

U21489372: Creating a page on rangefinders and how they work in game

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rangefinder}}
<div class="object-info clearfix" align="justify">

'''Rangefinder''' is the system by which the tank or tank crew determines range to a designated target.

__TOC__

==General Info==
The rangefinder is used to determine range to target. Depending on the tank several methods and equipment may be used: visual estimation, optical rangefinders, and laser ranger-finders. On using the rangefinder a small bar will fill up (located up and to the right of your reticle in binocular or sniper view) and on completion the estimated range will be displayed (located up and to left of the binocular and sniper view). If what you have attempted to range is beyond the maximum range-able distance of you rangefinder then the result will simply be displayed as >[maximum range]

===Visual Estimation===
Visual estimation is the most basic form of range-finding. In its simplest form it involves a person estimating the distance to a target without the help of any extra tools. However this is commonly assisted by the use of some reference material, like stadia lines, which give the user an idea of roughly how large or small certain common objects will be at a given distance.
In game this applies to tanks without any other form of ranging equipment, has a maximum range of 800m - 1200m depending on crew skill, and takes roughly six seconds. It is also both the slowest and least accurate type of ranging. This inaccuracy is especially problematic for vehicles that use low velocity shells like HE, HEAT, HEAT-FS, and HESH where the drop of the shell is severe enough that small differences between the displayed range and actual range will result in a missed shot when aiming at targets that are further away. The degree of inaccuracy for visual range-finding is also directly related to your gunner's range-finding skill. As an example, at base level any range estimation beyond 400m will be off by ±50m which with low velocity shells can make it unhelpful for long range shots.

===Optical Rangefinder===
While coming in a few different forms, such as the stereoscopic and the coincidence rangefinder, optical rangefinders can be found on many tanks. They begin to become more common on post World War 2 vehicles but exceptions do exist. These were more accurate than visual estimation especially out to longer ranges.
In game optical rangefinders are a clear improvement. The optical rangefinder has an increased maximum range and decreased maximum error over tanks without ranging equipment, with their maximum distance topping out at 2km, and substantially faster at only around three seconds

===Laser Rangefinder===
Laser rangefinders are the most common form of range-finding equipment in modern tanks. It is often part of a larger Fire Control System, a computerized system that allow a tank to automatically adjust the gun to compensate for (depending of the particular system) distance, weather, target movement, and/or projectile type.
In game the laser rangefinder is the best available being the fastest, most accurate, and having the furthest maximum range at 5km. It takes roughly 1 second to get the range making it possibe to use quickly, even mid-fight. In addition to this most vehices with laser rangefinder do have some form of fire control system modelled, allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust the zero of the gun to the range measured making rapid and accurate long range shots much easier to hit consistently.

==History==
''To be Filled''

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|lSFUnQKIyGE|'''WarThunder video on the basic use of the rangefinder''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''}}

== External links ==


[[Category:Game mechanics]]