using a hand - held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user - induced jitter . in particular , user - induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged . current approaches attempt to mitigate user - induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand - held range finding device onto a stabilizing device . however , such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment . embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view . advantageously , disclosed embodiments provide true hand - held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques .