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NIFE 40cm rangefinder

3K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  longshot378 
#1 ·
I bought a supposed Swedish military optical rangefinder made by NIFE, model 40 cm or A-40



It appears in good condition, images are crisp and the focus and range adjustment controls move and work, BUT, the small image which needs to align with the larger one is UPSIDE-DOWN.

I do not know if I am simply doing something stupid, or if a reversing prism or mirror has fallen out of the optical path...I do not see how this could be and still have clear and approximately coincident images.... Allowing for the uncertainty of trying to line a right-side-up image with one upside-down, the actual ranges shown on the dial seem plausible.

I'm looking for a little guidance as to what to look for, before I begin to take the thing apart

Anyone know anythjng about these?
Thanks!
 
#2 ·
A common European type of optic. Saw many survey levels and transits made in Europe with upside down images back in the day when working on a survey crew.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply!

I can see how a unit with images altogether upside-down could be used with little inconvenience, but how can I get an upside-down image to coincide with an upright one?

I have seen two other units like mine on the Internet. Somebody somewhere has one and knows how to use it! Help!
 
#4 ·
A very kind and knowledgeable gent on another forum explained to me today how it works.

The lower edge of the upside-down inset image splits the object you wish to range. Above this edge it is upside-down, below it is rightside-up. The adjustment moves the inset image laterally until the features line up.

Thanks to Mr. Boyd over there, and to you all here who read and thought about it.
 
#5 · (Edited)
what you have is an upper and lower image. both the same but one being upside down.
it is the same as using a rangfinding camera. the line where the two meet is your ranging point. pick out an object and by moving the unit get it to that line. then adjust so as to have
a single image. a tree or a telephone pole would be good to practice on. i had one of these units for a short while a couple years back. as i recall it measured from about 200 meters.
you could look in the window and determine that by rotating the dial from bottom to top.
your unit can be used in both a verticle and horizontal position if i recall correctly.
although the optics are excellant they are not nearly as desirable for ranging as a wild or a barr & stroud unit. i have each of those also.
operation is similar however especially to the barr & stroud which also has upper and lower images.
i know where several of these units are in the event you would like others.
they can be bought reasonably and are in excellant condition.
 
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