The invention relates to a device for optically measuring distances. Said device comprises an emitting unit (12) for emitting optical radiation (13), particularly laser radiation, toward a target (15), a receiving unit (14) for receiving the radiation (16, 49) reflected by the target (15), a control and evaluation unit (56) for determining the distance of the device from the target (15) and, finally, comprises at least one optical means (26, 28, 30, 50) for guiding beams. According to the invention, the relative position of the at least one optical means (26, 28, 30, 50) and the light source (17, 18) of the device can be varied with regard to one another.