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Detection Technology
How POP Works
POP mode is a relatively new feature for radar gun manufacturers. It works by
transmitting an extremely short burst, within the allocated band, to identify
speeding vehicles and motorcycles in traffic. Once the target is identified, or
“Popped”, the gun is then turned to its normal operating mode to provide a
vehicle tracking history, which is required by law.
How Laser Works
Laser speed detection is actually LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
LIDAR guns project a beam of invisible infrared light. The signal is a series of
very short infrared light energy pulses which move in a straight line, reflecting
off your motorcycle and returning to the gun.
LIDAR uses these light pulses to measure the distance to a motorcycle.
Speed is then calculated by measuring how quickly these pulses are reflected
given the known speed of light. LIDAR (or laser) is a newer technology and is
not as widespread as conventional radar, therefore, you may not encounter
laser on a daily basis. And unlike radar detection, laser detection is not prone
to false alarms. Because LIDAR transmits a much narrower beam than does
radar, it is much more accurate in its ability to distinguish between targets and
is also more difficult to detect. AS A RESULT, EVEN THE BRIEFEST LASER
ALERT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
There are limitations to LIDAR equipment. LIDAR is much more sensitive to
weather conditions than RADAR, and a LIDAR gun’s range will be decreased
by anything affecting visibility such as rain, fog, or smoke.
A LIDAR gun cannot operate through glass and it must be stationary in order
to get an accurate reading. Because LIDAR must have a clear line of sight and
is subject to cosine error (an inaccuracy which increases as the angle
between the gun and the motorcycle increases) police typically use LIDAR
equipment parallel to the road or from an overpass. LIDAR can be used day or
night.