How does LIDAR detect before cop has you?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Grain Valley MO
[QUOTE=flynbyu2;1580482581][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"]I operated a LIDAR for about 4 years. It's a completely different animal from old fashioned RADAR.
Sounds like you were or are a police officer do you drive your vette over the speed limit when you are off?
Sounds like you were or are a police officer do you drive your vette over the speed limit when you are off?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I operated a LIDAR for about 4 years. It's a completely different animal from old fashioned RADAR.
At 1000 feet the LIDAR beam is only 3 feet wide. Typically, I'd shoot something at more like 300 feet and the beam is approximately 1 foot wide. It take less than half a second from the time I squeeze the trigger until I get my reading. This is military technology and it's extremely accurate.
Unless the officer is being sloppy with his beam, no detector will ever know LIDAR is being used.
Just as an aside, back when I had RADAR, I used to drive around with my front and rear RADAR antennas on, throwing RADAR all over the place, even though I wasn't out to write a single ticket. I figured if anyone had a detector, they'd think someone was working it and slow down.
At 1000 feet the LIDAR beam is only 3 feet wide. Typically, I'd shoot something at more like 300 feet and the beam is approximately 1 foot wide. It take less than half a second from the time I squeeze the trigger until I get my reading. This is military technology and it's extremely accurate.
Unless the officer is being sloppy with his beam, no detector will ever know LIDAR is being used.
Just as an aside, back when I had RADAR, I used to drive around with my front and rear RADAR antennas on, throwing RADAR all over the place, even though I wasn't out to write a single ticket. I figured if anyone had a detector, they'd think someone was working it and slow down.
:toe tap:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 317
Likes: 2
From: Southern Mexifornia CA
Thanks for all the great feedback. It sounds like the only hope in using a LIDAR detector is to mount it high and hope to get a beam of light aimed at a car ahead of you and slow down quick before the cop aims it at you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Why is this a big issue now??? Laser speed detection devices have been around for many years. The first time I saw one in action was when a NY State Trooper aimed one at me over 15 years ago. I came over a hill and there was an unmarked car in the median with its passenger window down and what looked like a rifle being aimed at me. My first inclination was to turn hard right and I almost ran the car next to me off the road.
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,194
Likes: 305
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
SoCal Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12
Bearphoto not calling you out just debate I had the officer point his Lidar unit at my car while I was in it at about 100' going 10 mph and my V1 didn't do anything how new is yours mine is about 4-1/2 yrs old. I have not heard of any updates please lately. 
The local Leo's here in Central Cali. use Lidar everyday on the freeway on my way to work and most times they have some one in thier clutches
Pops
The local Leo's here in Central Cali. use Lidar everyday on the freeway on my way to work and most times they have some one in thier clutches Pops
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 943
Likes: 9
From: Des Plaines IL
St. Jude Donor '12
I live in communist illinois. Untill theres a definite way to conceal the blinder i know im doomed. State police have lidar and i received a break on a sun. 9500ix said lasar alert 89 mph.Funs over for zo6.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: Centennial Colorado
hmmmm....it's actually better if you mount it as low as possible..it's generally pointed at a front plate if your state requires them..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
[QUOTE=nitemaher;1580488537]
I believe I'll invoke my Fifth Amendment rights at this point.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 979
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
That is also how I use my radar unit. I do not turn it on until i have my target vehicle in range. I hit the antenna and with in 1/2 a second I have the speed...no way for them to have time and adjust. Yes, a trailing vehicle with a detector may get the warning, but I only activate the antenna for long enough to get my reading then off....so it is only on for a second at a time. I use a Genesis II radar and a Pro Laser III.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
contact JWM he is a vendor on here i got his laser diffusers every time i have been pulled over because they could not get my speed i switched it over to parking sensor mode and never got a ticket what i would do is when it went off i would make sure i was under the speed limit then switch it to parking sensor mode so they could clock my speed i also have a v1 but it would take a second to go off
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 735
From: Hainesport NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
My defense, Parking Sensors that act as Laser Interceptors.
Look closely at the brake duct openings. I have had this install tested (private corse, legal speeds) numerous times and I have never been hit.
Another good thing about the C5 is that it's not the easiest target to get a reading off of, especially if you don't have a front plate. Lots of curves and not many flat surfaces to hit with the LIDAR.
I don't drive at twice the posted speed limit, but I still want protection.
Drive safe, and with traffic, don't the the leader and don't be an idiot.
Last edited by zipity; Apr 7, 2012 at 09:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: N E area of state Kansas
That is also how I use my radar unit. I do not turn it on until i have my target vehicle in range. I hit the antenna and with in 1/2 a second I have the speed...no way for them to have time and adjust. Yes, a trailing vehicle with a detector may get the warning, but I only activate the antenna for long enough to get my reading then off....so it is only on for a second at a time. I use a Genesis II radar and a Pro Laser III.
Nobody ever beleives this, but for me, I would say maybe 9 out of 10 stops end in a warning. I don't write speed unless i have seen you before, 15 over, or the weather is bad. I really just want the drugs/drunks that you find on traffic stops.