There are two ways to use the beads. One is to represent the paces the user has walked, while the other is to represent the distance walked. Both methods requires the user to know the relationship between the paces walked and the distance traveled.

- Counting paces -

As users walk, they typically slide one bead on the cord for every ten paces taken. On the tenth pace, the user slides a bead in the lower section towards the knot. After the 90th pace, all nine beads are against the knot. On the 100th pace, all nine beads in the lower section are returned away from the knot, and a bead from the upper section is slid upwards, away from the knot.

In this manner, the user calculates distance traveled by keeping track of paces taken. To use this method, the user must know the length of their pace to accurately calculate distance traveled. Also, the number of paces to be walked must be pre-calculated (example: 2,112 paces= one mile, based on 30 inch pace) and then the distance traveled has to be calculated from the walked paces.

- Distance Walked -

For every 100 meters/yards the user walks, one of the lower beads is pulled down. When the ninth of the lower beads is pulled, the user has walked 900 meters/yards. When the user has walked 1000 meters/yards, one of the upper beads is pulled down, and all the lower beads are pulled back up.

Using this method the user must know the number of paces walked in 100 meters/yards. An experienced user can also adapt the pace count for each hundred meters/yards depending on the terrain. When using this method the user does not have to calculate distance from number of paces.

We understand a meter and a yard is not the same. Identifying meter/yard is just a way to notate that literally any measurement can be used that you are comfortable with. If you know how many paces it takes for you to reach 1/10 of a mile, use that then each top bead would represent a mile.

- Customization Requests Welcome -

All of our Ranger / Pace Counter beads are hand made by us. If you have a measurement that does not conform to the standard “10” bead count (9 and 4 arrangement), we can customize any of our beads to meet your needs. Just let us know through the messages system. For example, perhaps you want to count paces and each bottom bead would represent 10 paces, but instead of it taking 100 paces to reach your distance for the top marker, it takes you 120; so you would need 11 beads on bottom. We can do that. Some users have even requested 3 sets of separated beads, 5 beads on top, 5 beads in the middle, and 9 beads on bottom. We made those with a smaller bead and smaller beads separators and slightly longer overall length. Maybe you have a different setup required to reach your comfortable measurement. Let us know and we will work with you to design a set of beads to work for your needs.