Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, about 3 days ago I bought the Markerlight toy for measuring LOS.

It's a little laser that you hook over a models head, and then lase towards your area.
Problem: it's not 'legal' because it decreases the distance by 10CM

What? What is the problem?
Distances are measured from bases...

Line of Sight has little to do with distances as I recall.

Huh? The pointer just lets you know if you can see the target and have LOS. I have yet to see one of them (in a non military application) that measures range. Check that with your handy dandy bargain at any price tape measure.

Indeed, it's just to see if a model can see another model, you need to measure range with a tapemeasure, from the gun though isn't it?

I do from the base, but is it a legal aide

It is...it's really not 'that' different from just eyeing it. It's just more accurate and easier for everyone involved to see.

Indeed, there is no such thing as a 'legal aid' as far as I've heard, it's damn accurate and as long as you and your opponent are ok using it then it should be ok, besides GW make them and if you can't use them for the game then it's a bit odd eh?

GW threatens their own IP...so...It wouldn't be odd if they said laserdots were illegal in-game and continue selling their own.

I bought a Markerlight...I got rid of it the next day. Anything over 18" and the laser is too scattered to accurately see anything. I prefer to use a laser pointer I found one day and it's much better.

What? It's used for checking LoS, not Range.

Seriously, Captain Solon, do you actually try to post such nonsense?

I reckon Dakka YMDC is invoked as an official ruling in many a heated argument "why?" "caus Gwar! sayz so!". If enough of us post responses that say yes this is illegal we can all sit back and enjoy the reporting of gaming related fracas!

Seriously, just use the pointer to check LOS. Thats what the laser pointer is used for during a game.


A range finder might be nice though..........................

Mr. Burning wrote:A range finder might be nice though..........................

It's called a Tape Measure

I generally just use the back of the Tape Measure (unmarked) to do the whole Line Of Sight thing, only if eye-balling it doesn't work if my opponent and I can't come to terms (right before the 4+).

Great Unclean One wrote:Indeed, it's just to see if a model can see another model, you need to measure range with a tapemeasure, from the gun though isn't it?

Nobody has brought this up yet, so I will.

Only vehicle's (and artillery!) measure weapon ranges from the actual gun barrels.

All other models (including monstrous creatures) measure from the base.

Captain Solon wrote:So, about 3 days ago I bought the Markerlight toy for measuring LOS.

It's a little laser that you hook over a models head, and then lase towards your area.
Problem: it's not 'legal' because it decreases the distance by 10CM

I'm assuming that, rather than thinking that the laser has anything to do with measurement, as others seem to have decided here, you're concerned that the fact that the laser protrudes 10cm in front of the model may cause issues as opponents may think it's not drawing a true LOS from the actual model.?

If you're hooking it over the model's head and pivoting on that spot, it shouldn't make any difference how long the laser is. It will still be drawing a line from the model's head.

If in doubt though, rather than hooking it over the model, just fire it from directly beside or above the model's head instead.

What do you mean when you say that it reduces the distance by 10cm?

Solorg wrote:What do you mean when you say that it reduces the distance by 10cm?

Well because the Markerlight is 10cm long, you must deduct 10cm off the overall range to count for this.

If you're using a laser pointer to measure range, you're doing it wrong.

Orkestra wrote:If you're using a laser pointer to measure range, you're doing it wrong.

Not if you use one of these!

Which, of course, help golfers measure ranges on the course, in YARDS, and wouldn't use it on anything under, say, 50 yards!

Wait, what are we talking about again?

Alpharius wrote:Which, of course, help golfers measure ranges on the course, in YARDS, and wouldn't use it on anything under, say, 50 yards!

Wait, what are we talking about again?

You obviously haven't played Apocalypse with the 571st Emperors Hammer Artillery Company Basilisk Division

Gwar! wrote:

Alpharius wrote:Which, of course, help golfers measure ranges on the course, in YARDS, and wouldn't use it on anything under, say, 50 yards!

Wait, what are we talking about again?

You obviously haven't played Apocalypse with the 571st Emperors Hammer Artillery Company Basilisk Division

OK, point there!

That must be one hell of an Apocalypse game though!

Most of our Apoc games manage to find room for at least 30 basilisks in one massive formation....flanked by 20 LR for close in support, in case anyone tries to get too close

nosferatu1001 wrote:Most of our Apoc games manage to find room for at least 30 basilisks in one massive formation....flanked by 20 LR for close in support, in case anyone tries to get too close

Close being defined as anything under 3.3 yards?

Indeed, I'm very protective of my basilisks....I normally use them as a timed attack, with them lead by a newly arrived puritanical inquisitor who has, frankly, gotten fed up with BOTH sides being far too heretical....

As such both sides can attempt to prove their loyalty to the throne, normally through acts of destruction to their erstwhile team mates...

wowwwwww.... way OT.

Gawd, Gwar.

Might not have happened if you had spent a little more time explaining what the OT was in the first place...