Distance-measuring method for a device projecting a reference line, and such a device

A distance-measuring method for a device projecting a reference line, including an electro-optical rangefinder, the method comprising the steps:

• emitting and guiding an optical reference beam along a defined reference path, at least a part of the reference path being detectable as a reference line in its passage by the human eye or detectors;
• measuring distance to at least one point of the reference path by:
• emitting a measuring beam:
• parallel to, or coaxial with, the reference beam;
• and
• guiding the measuring beam along the reference path, or use of the reference beam as a measuring beam;
• receiving parts of the measuring beam reflected from the at least one point and deriving at least one signal from these parts;
• and
• determining the distance to the at least one point from the at least one signal, wherein the guidance of the measuring and reference beam, or of the reference beam used as a measuring beam along the reference path, is automatically repeated at least once.