Local Cops Got Laser! Lidatek Question. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

JFB · 10th August 2002, 16:29

Early this morning, I was driving on state road FM2499 in lovely Flower Mound (Dallas - Fort Worth suburb where I live). My sunroof was open, and I was relaxed with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the CD, leisurely following a white American sedan.

The sedan's brake lights flash as the driver slows to turn into a driveway. Suddenly, the laser alert in my Passport 8500 goes crazy! The sound really got my attention, because it's only gone off a few times in the year I've had the detector.

I think "Maybe the brake lights set it off? LEDs?" Then, in a driveway on the opposite side of the 4 lane divided road, I see a Flower Mound Police car. I know the local police have K and Ka radar, because they set traps on this same stretch of road all the time and the Passport has saved me from a ticket on many ocassions. But they've never had laser before.

I stopped about 2 miles down the road, picked up a couple of Starbucks coffees for my wife and me, and headed back home. I know I'll pass that same police cruiser, so I have the speed nailed at the posted 45 MPH limit. Just as the cruiser comes into view "BRAAAAAAP!", the laser alert goes wild again. As I pass the cruiser, I see the officer sighting cars behind me through the laser gun. D@#$!

Because I live here, this is going to be a daily annoyance. If I were speeding, the laser detector in the Passport would have simply told me "You just got a ticket, buddy." In other words, by the time it alerts, you're nailed.

I guess I'll have to get an active laser jammer. Does anyone have experience with a Lidatek actually working?

rvacha · 10th August 2002, 17:15

Oh, yes, the Lidatec unit works! I have had mine since I got my beast and will never drive without one. Laser is *everywhere* here and the Lidatec gets a workout. I have never gotten a laser ticket since, but I still believe in not taking chances - if I see the cop, I slow down.

Highly recommended.

atomic80 · 10th August 2002, 17:18

Although I still haven't had the chance to get mine installed, I can definitely testify to its effectiveness. Back when I went to visit their facility for a write-up report, they were able to demonstrate it for me.

It's unfortunate though that you missed the group buy which lapsed last August 1st. It's still worth buying even at full retail price and is recommended that you get two transponders for excellent front coverage.

JFB · 10th August 2002, 18:28

Thanks Jason. Yes, too bad I missed the group buy -- but little did I know that my local police would upgrade to LIDAR. I found your write up, and it sounds like the unit and additional transponder is the way to go.

Do you mount one on the passenger side (like Oak did) and one on the driver side -- both behind the grill? Knowing you, you have photos.

What's the best way to purchase one? Should I e-mail the company with the address you provided, mention your good name and this website, plead insanity, and beg for a discount?

2001's X5/Z8 · 10th August 2002, 18:57

so the lidatek works???

JFB · 10th August 2002, 19:02

RVACHA posted a note on this. He says it's saved him a few times.

sysvr4 · 10th August 2002, 21:24

You know what'd be really cool...if there was somewhere we could rent a LIDAR gun from for a couple of days. I'd pay $50 or so to use a gun and verify my install works from all angles, and I'm sure several others on the list would as well....anybody got any ideas if something like this is available?

Otherwise, maybe 10-20 of us could go in on a group LIDAR gun, and ship it around the group to test. Say each person gets to keep it for 2 days and ship to the next guy. Or hell, maybe I'll buy one and rent it to you yahoos for $50 a piece :-)

Jeff

atomic80 · 11th August 2002, 01:07

Jeff, that's not a bad idea...I'd be game to that. Anyone else? But then again I may not have to do that since I'd have the friendly folks at Lidatek to help me test it out since they have a couple lidar guns on hand.

Jim, you could always ask Jared at Lidatek about it. Email him at j.phillips@lidatek.com and see what you can come up with. The unit retails for $349.95 for one transponder units and each additional transponder is $99.95. With our last group buy both were $310. And yes, it's best to mount two in the front.

Here's some pictures showing optimal mounting locations:

JFB · 11th August 2002, 09:15

Thanks Jason.

BTW, it looks like you're starting quite a bug collection on your car.

Were those photos taken during your trip up to Lidatek?

Chris B. · 11th August 2002, 09:18

JFB · 11th August 2002, 09:21

Quote:

Originally posted by sysvr4
... verify my install works from all angles...

Jeff, that raises an interesting point. Because LIDAR works by reading the relected laser, wouldn't the police have to bounce it off a relatively flat, reflective surface that's basically perpendicular to the angle of the beam? In other words, don't they have to be almost directly in front of you? What's the biggest angle that's practically usable?