I just finished first test flights with laser rangefinder VL53L0X and well, I'm disappointed. Before I will show any data, let's review test conditions:

  • VL53L0X configured for Long range mode: 2m
  • 8PM, obscured sky, no direct sunlight
  • Over concrete

And it looks like this:

vl53l0x altitude graph

vl53l0x altitude graph

Solid readout ended at more less 80cm. Above that, valid readout appeared only from time to time. So I have to assume, that everything above 1m is absolutely not reliable and useful range is max. 75cm. Probably much less over different surfaces.

And that means it will have rather limited usefulness. Landing detection probably. Or low altitude flights with terrain following. I tried that too and it worked as long as quadcopter was not higher as 20 or 30cm above ground.

Oh well... I had high hopes for VL53L0X. Next attempts will be with hybrid approach: US-100 sonar and Sharp optical (IR) GP2Y0A710K0F (up to 5 meters) data fusion.