speed cameras

poop colored buddy · Post by **poop colored buddy** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:45 pm

im not sure about the cameras, but here in phoenix i've noticed that when i pass by those signs that tell you how fast your going, they wig out from the buddies small size im guessing. The MPH on the sign will jump around from like 11-mph to 50 and back to 30-ish etc. the whole while i will be going 45 mph with no other cars around. Has anyone else noticed this? is this something that happens to all scoots or specific to the front profile or shape of the buddy. In a car this NEVER happens. Im wondering if its size or shape doesnt reflect radar back very well.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:13 pm

I also notice the inaccurate readings of my Buddy’s speed with those radar things.
It dwells on the scoot for a short time then immediately picks up a car or a truck if there are any around, if I’m by myself then it gives an OK reading

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:10 pm

I've had those things go all freaky when I was sitting across from one, stopped, at an intersection!

Needless to say, they're a poor way to judge the accuracy of your speedometer.

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:31 am

In a former life I was a police officer.

Ra-Radio
D - Distance
A - and
R - Ranging

Radar is basically like pointing a flashlight at traffic. The bigger (and faster moving objects) will send back a stronger "return". This is a huge advantage to us folks who operate scooters and motorcycles with a very small radar "signature". If you're going to speed, try to stay in the "shadow" created by larger vehicles. Do this at your own peril as this usually also puts you in their blind spot.

Most radar units are designed to collect data from the antenna (gun) and display either the strongest (biggest) or fastest (greatest difference in distance over time) signal that arrives back at the source.

If you and a truck are in lanes next to each other, he's going 40 and you're passing him doing 55 there's a pretty good chance you're not going to even register on the display. To aid in distinguishing one object from another the radar unit corresponds a frequency or tone to the signal it's sending out. A car approaching the unit at 50 mph will sound like a medium pitched buzz. A motorcycle travelling the same speed will make a much fainter tone. Using these tones the officer should be able to differentiate the speeds of dissimilar sized vehicles. As the target vehicles speed increases the buzz will get higher in pitch. Unfortunately, most cops turn off the audio as it's totally annoying. We were trained to use the buzz as a "confirmation" as in "I saw the camaro approaching me faster than the other traffic and heard the pitch of the radar increase as he approached, this increase in pitch corresponded with an increased speed reading on the display unit".

Most modern police forces have switched over to Laser and have relegated their old radar units to those "Your speed is XX" traffic information devices.

There is no practical method for beating laser, other than being small and a hard target for the cop to zero in on. The laser only has to be on your vehicle long enough for the cop to press the trigger.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:57 am

pocphil wrote:

There is no practical method for beating laser, other than being small and a hard target for the cop to zero in on. The laser only has to be on your vehicle long enough for the cop to press the trigger.

i knew it... i'm dooooooomed!!!

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:48 am

pocphil wrote:There is no practical method for beating laser, other than being small and a hard target for the cop to zero in on. The laser only has to be on your vehicle long enough for the cop to press the trigger.

Hmmm. Maybe something "fuzzy" could completely absorb the laser light beam? Stealth Budd?

ECS

poop colored buddy · Post by **poop colored buddy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:58 pm

[quote="pocphil"]In a former life I was a police officer.

this is the most informative response ever!!! thank you pocphil! you answered all my questions.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:12 pm

I love those radar box things on the side of the road. I am coming close to getting the high score!

magpiash · Post by **magpiash** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:39 pm

i have heard of guilty speeders beating tickets laser or otherwise b/c the cop did not have the proper certification, or, and this is where many of the tickets were beaten, the officer had not RENEWED their certification. my source said this happens quite often & he ALWAYS contests tickets in court because of this.

anyone heard similar?

pocphil, can you confirm this?

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:15 pm

"Serpentine!! Serpentine!!"

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:45 pm

………….duck and close your eyes – they wont see you

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:35 pm

EBee wrote:"Serpentine!! Serpentine!!"

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:49 pm

Gee I was worried no one would get the reference!