Would the product on the link work for detecting distance? If it does detect distance, what would be the likely relative range?
Thank you for your time.
This is simply a IR LED and detector. They are not designed for range finding, simply for use in an IR transmitter (remote control simulations) and IR receive from an IR remote.
What range are you looking for? What accuracy?
Another recent post had a similar need for IR range finding. The link was for a device with a range of up to 1.5 mtr.
Edit: Infrared Proximity Sensor Long Range - Sharp GP2Y0A02YK0F - SEN-08958 - SparkFun Electronics
Weedpharma
Hi whileloop,
No I don't think you could use that for more then a couple of CM if your lucky. I have used the sharp device that JohnLincoln pointed too, this is an analogue device returning a value based on distance.
If you just want to detect an object within a few CM's then there are cheap IR modules available from China via eBay, DX and Banggood that work fine. But for distance where I need a fair idea of distance I still prefere to use the Ultra-sonics like the HC-SR04, etc.
Here's a picture, hope it helps. The Sharp device is in the background. The clear LED is the IR transmitter the black one is the receiver, black to cut out visible light.
Regards
Mel.
And a hint if you've never used an IR transmitter before: the light's invisible to the naked eye but you can see it on a cellphone camera.
Hi,
Good tip Jimbo!! It's quite useful so you can check that the transmitter is working at lest.
Regards
Mel.
The reflective sensor in the photo of Reply #3 is designed for detecting objects passing by on a conveyor
or detecting an object in front of a robot. I think the range is in the order of less than 10 cm.