Do power lines affect lidar?

Maserati1 · #1 (**permalink**) 2009-05-26

I recently received a lidar ticket and the officer was right under high voltage power lines. There were also smaller power lines running on each side of the road and a large electrical sub-station about 300 feet from the officer. Can I use this as a defence and if so can anyone direct me to a site where I can review the Operators Manual which would indicate that the Lidar should not be used near power lines. Thanks for your help.

category4 · #2 (**permalink**) 2009-05-26

I'm not aware of power lines affecting lidar, but there are other things that do.

steagall1000 · #3 (**permalink**) 2009-05-27

Maserati1,

To answer your question on power lines, yes it does effect lidar to a certain point. I was using Category4's Pro Laser III and my ultralyte one day shooting at traffic. I had a hard time targeting any vehicle from 600 feet out due to the power lines being in the way. I was shooting on top of a hill. I was trying to shoot through the power lines and it could not get a target lock until the car was clear of the lines. Even a limb on a tree or tall weeds growing on the side of the highway effect lidar targeting. Thats why the law in Georgia states No officer can park and target a vehicle if there is a object within 500 feet of the officers targeting range. He must clear of all objects including signs. I hope that helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maserati1

I recently received a lidar ticket and the officer was right under high voltage power lines. There were also smaller power lines running on each side of the road and a large electrical sub-station about 300 feet from the officer. Can I use this as a defence and if so can anyone direct me to a site where I can review the Operators Manual which would indicate that the Lidar should not be used near power lines. Thanks for your help.

steagall1000 · #4 (**permalink**) 2009-05-27

Note: When targeting a vehicle through the window of your car, the Pro Laser III can no longer target or pick up the vehicle after 500 feet. Atleast when I tried to target cars through my side window I could not pick up any after 500 feet. Note also I have 35% window tint on my windows. Without the tint it might pickup the cars alittle further.

The Ultralyte has the worst time shooting through windshields. So if anyone ever gets a ticket and the officer was shooting through his window, this can be challenged in court. I will do some video footage showing this.