A while ago, perhaps two or so years ago, someone on RCU sent me a pair of inexpensive lasers that are powered by a standard 4.8 volt receiver pack. These can be mounted on a control surface, let's say an elevator, and then a surface with a lined ruler is placed perpendicular to the movement of the elevator, directly in the rear of the elevator. The laser transmits a red beam to the ruler, then the elevator is "zero'ed" up with a line drawn on the ruler. Then as the TX sticks are moved up and down, the deflection is measured both up and down on the ruler.

This is a pretty accurate method, however, there are factors involved that make this a bit of a pain in the butt, the least of which is the proximity of the ruler to the surface being measured. The further away it is, the greater the perceived movement is, which gives inaccurate readings unless that distance is taken into account when making the measurements. This works, but it is way to complicated for the average RC'er, me included.

Ken's ruler method is what I use and seems to always win out as being the simplest and easiest method that gets the surfaces to the 'close enough' throw. I also have two different 'throw meters' and used them once. I always go back to the ruler method which works just fine.

CGr