Laser Vs Vehicle Model

Thumpernator · 09-13-2012, 20:32

Over on one of the car forums I frequent, there is a thread about how some cars are harder for the laser gun to lock on and get a valid reading. Some are saying the MX5 Miata is one of those cars that is hard to read.

Have you Leos found that some models are harder, easier, next to impossible, or impossible to get a valid reading?

BTW, no front license plate requirement in my state.

Change all above references of "laser" to "LIDAR."

GumbyDammit · 09-13-2012, 21:22

I don't use one too often and when I do it's typically at night. Headlights are easy targets at night. I assume the MX5 has headlights?

Thumpernator · 09-13-2012, 21:31

But of course.

Is that John Candy with Gumby in your avatar?

bccop · 09-13-2012, 21:33

I hear this one uses stealth technology and no one has ever managed to pull it over...

GumbyDammit · 09-13-2012, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpernator

But of course.

Is that John Candy with Gumby in your avatar?

Gumby is Eddie Murphy & I think Pokey is John Candy

Schaffer · 09-13-2012, 22:07

the powers that be don't deem it fit for lesser LEO's like me to be able to use those new fangle laser beamzzzz

Ohio Copper · 09-13-2012, 22:10

Wtf? They have lasers now???

We just use the old school "I'm guessing you were doing at least 15 over so I'll put 12 over on the cite" method.

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metal · 09-13-2012, 22:15

'supposedly' my Vette has Laser receivers/Shifters on it that won't let you get a reading. Don't know.

I don't drive like and ass much and never asked a buddy to hit me...

http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ci-details.php

rookie1 · 09-14-2012, 04:51

If there is no front plate I use a head light. Never have any issues.

steveksux · 09-14-2012, 05:12

Not to go all Dr. Science on y'all, but a laser is just a special light beam. If your car is invisible when you hit it with a flashlight, you're good to go! Speed on, my brother! Otherwise, not so much...

Randy

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Thumpernator · 09-14-2012, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Not to go all Dr. Science on y'all, but a laser is just a special light beam. If your car is invisible when you hit it with a flashlight, you're good to go! Speed on, my brother! Otherwise, not so much...

Did a test. Just got done hitting my car with a flashlight several times and I can still see it. Now I've got to repair about 10 dents. Those Mag-Lites are really built tough.

indigent · 09-14-2012, 08:50

Whats this laser speed thingey you speak of.......

DaBigBR · 09-14-2012, 18:45

Smaller, more aerodynamic vehicles are theoretically tougher to hit with LIDAR (not "laser", for christ's sake. Calling LIDAR "laser" would be the same as calling RADAR "radio), however at practical distances, that just does not end up being the case. Since LIDAR must be aimed at the target vehicle and produces a fairly narrow beam, it stands to reason that a smaller target will be harder to hit. No different than shooting a fat guy versus shooting a thin guy. HOWEVER, I have never seen any issue targeting things as small as mopeds and motorcyles with LIDAR at distances up to 1500 or so feet. I don't find many opportunities to go beyond that distance to try.

Note that the same can be true for RADAR. RADAR prefers targets that are fast, large, and close. The target that creates the strongest returned signal will be the target speed displayed. A crotch rocket going 140 MPH past a big rig going 70 MPH likely will not be displayed, for example. Fortunately, the fastest target has a tendency to become the closest target...

Thumpernator · 09-14-2012, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBigBR

Smaller, more aerodynamic vehicles are theoretically tougher to hit with LIDAR (not "laser", for christ's sake. Calling LIDAR "laser" would be the same as calling RADAR "

You're right. But if I had said LIDAR, you guys might think I was a "Whacker."

x_out86 · 09-15-2012, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by rookie1

If there is no front plate I use a head light. Never have any issues.

Same here

walkin' trails · 09-15-2012, 18:10

I don't work that stuff, and I've never really talked to anyone in my area who does run lasers, but I've seen the traffic guys on the side of the road hunched over their unit like they're trying to lay a bead on a target with a with a rifle. Is that the idea? Maybe its time to start a good rumor that the laser radiation hitting certain types of vehicles causes sterility and impotence and get radar jammer industry to start marketing lead lined driving skivies.

DaBigBR · 09-16-2012, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkin' trails

I don't work that stuff, and I've never really talked to anyone in my area who does run lasers, but I've seen the traffic guys on the side of the road hunched over their unit like they're trying to lay a bead on a target with a with a rifle. Is that the idea? Maybe its time to start a good rumor that the laser radiation hitting certain types of vehicles causes sterility and impotence and get radar jammer industry to start marketing lead lined driving skivies.

Basically. If I remember right, you paint a three foot wide beam at a thousand feet.

trdvet · 09-16-2012, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBigBR

(not "laser", for christ's sake. Calling LIDAR "laser" would be the same as calling RADAR "radio)

Nothing wrong with using the term "laser", as they are class 1 lasers. The term "laser radar" would be a misnomer.

PettyOfficer · 09-16-2012, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by trdvet

Nothing wrong with using the term "laser", as they are class 1 lasers. The term "laser radar" would be a misnomer.

Light Amplification by Stimulate Emission of Radiation RAdio Detection And Ranging...

Yeah, your right, it doesn't roll off the tongue properly

.

As well, completely different wavelengths and transmission/reception algorithms and technologies.

frizz · 09-16-2012, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by trdvet

Nothing wrong with using the term "laser", as they are class 1 lasers. The term "laser radar" would be a misnomer.

Would it?

What is the difference between the beam sent by LIDAR and the beam sent by RADAR? Besides frequency and amplitude, that is.

Cav · 09-16-2012, 16:53

My Night Train motorcycle has a factory black deniem paint job, they say the bike is hard to target and the paint messes with the readings.

trdvet · 09-16-2012, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizz

Would it?

What is the difference between the beam sent by LIDAR and the beam sent by RADAR? Besides frequency and amplitude, that is.

One uses light and the other radio waves.

Radar

LIDAR

trdvet · 09-16-2012, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cav

My Night Train motorcycle has a factory black deniem paint job, they say the bike is hard to target and the paint messes with the readings.

Motorcycles are hard to get a speed on due to size. I've got speeds on vehicles with matte paint.

frizz · 09-17-2012, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by trdvet

One uses light and the other radio waves.

Light and radio waves are the same thing: electromagnetic radiation. Light waves are in a band that our eyes are sensitive to, but there is nothing special about them. There are also lasers that emit EMR that we can't see.

trdvet · 09-17-2012, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizz

Light and radio waves are the same thing: electromagnetic radiation.

True, but EMR encompasses many spectrums but all are not the same. We are discussing RADAR & LIDAR for police applications so characterizing radar and lidar as the same thing would be wrong. Anyway, I'm going to go calibrate my "laser radar gamma xray unit" and work some traffic.