Laser/IR Ranging...Inexpensive, 25ft Range, Accurate

Thanks for having me, this is my first post!

I would like to create a distance/ranging device using an existing inexpensive (<$20.00) technology. I would just need to know the distance to ~1". The IR proximity sensors I had seen before (Sharp) max out at ~30 inches. I would need to increase the range considerably more than that, hopefully to about 15-25 feet (or at least 10). It is OK to have some sort of transmitter or reflector on the object to be distanced. Is there a way to boost the range on the IR sensors or would laser be a better option? Can I make/find a laser ranging system that is inexpensive enough? Thank you ever so much!

I don't think you can make time of flight or phase laser ranging cheaply. I think you might be better off looking at ultrasonic range finders. You can get prebuilt ones, like the SRF04 for $25.00. A little over your price range. Otherwise theres schematics out there for homemade versions.

Ranging

This may be helpful:
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