Measuring distance without a visible laser

Since GRM knows everything, is there a device out there that could measure distance to 50ish feet pretty accurately without putting a visible laser on the thing you are measuring? I know some phones have LIDAR but mine doesn't and golf/hunting rangefinders don't have the level of accuracy that I want. I know I can buy a LIDAR sensor but I don't really want to build something if I don't have to.

I think there may be military  stuff that uses lasers that are not in the visable spectrum for that. Not sure it is available to the public. 

A typical laser measure won't have a visible dot outdoors during the daytime at that distance. The nicer ones have a small video screen with crosshairs so you can see you where you're aiming.  They'll be good to about 1/16" at that distance, if you have a good target.

You might see a tiny red dot if you are the actual target, but it will be pretty washed out.  Most people won't notice  anything at all.

IIRC, my Bosch measurer doesn't fire a visible laser. 

Edit to say, it's a pretty old one. It looks like most of the new ones do have a visible laser. 

Land surveying theodolites have had laser distance finders for years;  at least since the 80's when I last did land surveying.   

The laser was not visible on the one we used.   I don't think a visible laser is required anyway, I think its just there for aesthetics. 

In reply to Duke :

I am mostly going to be using it for lower light tbh. I have some scale focus cameras and when using the lens wide open it can be difficult to nail focus.

How exact do you need to be? Golfers have different range finders that some use, may be worth looking into.

In reply to 1SlowVW :

Preferably within a few inches at 5-10 ft. The problem I saw with the golf rangefinders is they are made for much longer distances and the accuracy was a few feet.

Dumb question, but is there a reason you can't just use a tape measure?

Puddy46 said:

Dumb question, but is there a reason you can't just use a tape measure?

I am wanting to use it to measure distance if shooting wide open with an old scale focus film camera. I want something a bit faster and more subtle then pulling out a tape measure.

In reply to 93EXCivic :

Ahh, gotcha.  Yeah, a tape measure definitely isn't your weapon of choice then.

I have a little bosch laser "Tape measure" with a visible light (red) laser.  I just checked, and it will not work without that laser being visible.  I tried covering it up, and the device stops working.

The laser is the measuring device, so you can't cover it up, it's also a handy way to tell where you're measuring to.

Why is the laser dot a problem?  It's only there while you're measuring.

You might be able to find an ultrasonic distance measuring device, but you won't be able to pick a target like you can with the laser.

EDIT:
Go on amazon and search for "ultrasonic tape measure"