A method and device for measuring a distance to an object with light determines the distance by measuring the relative intensity of light reflected from the object and traveling over two or more paths of differing optical length. Light is emitted by one or more light sources; reflected from a surface of the object; and the reflected light is detected by one or more light detectors. The light detector(s) generate signals based on the intensity of reflected light detected and the signals are utilized to calculate the distance from the device to the object.