what "range" do scamera vans work over?
Discussion
ie: I'm driving along at a sensible speed (not that far over the posted limit) and I spot a camera van in the (considerable) distance. Anyone have a rough idea at what distance from the unit is kind of "in range"?
I'm not asking because i've a doubt in my mind, as I drive about and pass these things its just something I wonder about!
I'm not asking because i've a doubt in my mind, as I drive about and pass these things its just something I wonder about!
hertsbiker said:
relax. If it's distance, they'd need laser. Otherwise they get you as you go past, within 30 yards usually.
I wouldn't be so relaxed. 'Camera' vans usually are fitted with LTi20/20 or similar (laser). Connected to a video device they can have a range of several hundred metres. Possibly more depending on conditions.
DeMolay said:
relax. If it's distance, they'd need laser. Otherwise they get you as you go past, within 30 yards usually.
I wouldn't be so relaxed. 'Camera' vans usually are fitted with LTi20/20 or similar (laser). Connected to a video device they can have a range of several hundred metres. Possibly more depending on conditions.
From personal experience with these things (LTi20-20) handheld about 500metres, on a tripod over 1000metres...
JAMMERJAMMERJAMMER
My Prolaser Camera if tripod mounted can pick out a silver/shiny chrome car at 3500 feet surprisingly easily. Handheld it's down to 1500ft max, after a dodgy might out on the tiles 600ft.
Most Talivans have the cameras mouted on a pod in the van so 500-1000ft would be the norm, as the video camera will be the restriction to the whole system.
Most Talivans have the cameras mouted on a pod in the van so 500-1000ft would be the norm, as the video camera will be the restriction to the whole system.
In West Mercia they use vans with video attached to the strips in the road (not sure who makes them) so you can spot the van but carry on driving at a safe and appropriate speed. If this happens to be in excess of the speed limit you can brake just before the strips, give the operator a friendly wave in recognition of his contribution to road safety, and then immediately drive as appropriate for the conditions.
This is good for road safety because you only need to focus on your precise speed for a distance of approximately 1 metre
This is good for road safety because you only need to focus on your precise speed for a distance of approximately 1 metre
DeMolay said:
relax. If it's distance, they'd need laser. Otherwise they get you as you go past, within 30 yards usually.
I wouldn't be so relaxed. 'Camera' vans usually are fitted with LTi20/20 or similar (laser). Connected to a video device they can have a range of several hundred metres. Possibly more depending on conditions.
And the BiB manning the van has 'bionic' eyes fitted in order to "form an opinion of excess speed" at that distance. Unfortunately, these bionic eyes are not type approved.
Streetcop said:
forming opinion of speed not required for such checks....IIRC
What are they checking then ?
The device is type approved for corroborating a Police Officers "prior opinion of excess speed".
There is no other reason for the device to be aimed and/or triggered.
And it must not be used for assessing the speed of a vehicle, then subsequently forming a "prior opinion", then targeting the vehicle again for the video evidence (then lying in Court).
lunarscope said:
forming opinion of speed not required for such checks....IIRC
What are they checking then ?
The device is type approved for corroborating a Police Officers "prior opinion of excess speed".
There is no other reason for the device to be aimed and/or triggered.
And it must not be used for assessing the speed of a vehicle, then subsequently forming a "prior opinion", then targeting the vehicle again for the video evidence (then lying in Court).
No
not the case at all....in the respect of camera vans, (just like Gatsos) all that is happening, especially with the Leica cameras is a case of assemble camera and tripod, point at road, set speed limit tolerance and then press GO. Operator can then sit back in the van and touch the camera no more... Same priciple with roadside mini Gatsos....they don't activate once the BiB has suspected someone to exceed the limit.....
Street
charltm said:
Leica cameras, hmmm? Glad to hear the police aren't cutting corners by using our tax and/or fine money to buy cheap stuff!
Would I be right in thinking that, when tripod mounted, Lasers etc. are pointed at the outside lane and someone in lane 1 is less likely to be pulled?
Don't fret...Leica are the crappest of the two options for camera vans...The LTI is the better one.
As for your second question....very much depends on the road and the operator......
Street
J500ANT said:
ie: I'm driving along at a sensible speed (not that far over the posted limit) and I spot a camera van in the (considerable) distance. Anyone have a rough idea at what distance from the unit is kind of "in range"?
The laser is good for about 1000m but has to be tripod mounted and will only be used at this range if they have BiB to stop you ie not taking photo's.
If taking pictures I have yet to be convinced that they do so beyond about 1/4 mile due to the optics.
Streetcop said:
Streetcop said:
forming opinion of speed not required for such checks....IIRC
What are they checking then ?
The device is type approved for corroborating a Police Officers "prior opinion of excess speed".
There is no other reason for the device to be aimed and/or triggered.
And it must not be used for assessing the speed of a vehicle, then subsequently forming a "prior opinion", then targeting the vehicle again for the video evidence (then lying in Court).
No
Same priciple with roadside mini Gatsos....they don't activate once the BiB has suspected someone to exceed the limit.....
Street
Yes, but those aren't lasers are they ?
A laser device has to be manually targeted at a suitable point on the subject vehicle.
Radar and laser devices have completely different type approvals.
In the case of a Gatso, the radar forms the prior opinion, a photo is taken and a Police Officer corrobrates the radar by checking the photograph, measuring the distance travelled in the elapsed time.
However, some Scamera Partnerships/BiBs are using the laser devices in the same manner as a mini-Gatso, which is not allowed.
I repeat, there is no lawful reason for a vehicle to be targeted with a laser unless a Police Officer has "formed a prior opinion of excess speed".
It's the law !
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