Hello John ,
Thank you for your help. Unfortunately there was a typo on my side. The correct range was 10 mm - 1500 mm.
However, after spending a full day the only one that comes to this precision is a HI class from SICK that is >1000 euros. Plus, its power supply is is way higher. I could use a boost converter but considering the project is meant to be battery powered it would be very inefficient.
The prototype will be used outside so the IR sensors would be affected by sunlight. A red laser would have been nice but unlikely due to "harsh" requirements. Even using 2 sensors I won't get the desired result.
My only remaining alternative is with a high frequency (> 150Khz ,low beam angle) ultrasonic sensor. Most likely the deadzone will be the first 100-150 mm but I guess it's better than nothing ....
If anyone has other ideas, I am opened to suggestions 