Speed Radar Gun
A speed radar gun is a handheld or mounted instrument that measures the speed of a moving object (vehicle, athlete, ball) by detecting the Doppler shift of returned radio or laser signals. Modern units come in Doppler (radio), LIDAR (laser), and hybrid forms.
Typical uses
- Traffic speed enforcement and speed surveys
- Road/traffic studies and site surveys
- Vehicle testing (acceleration, braking)
- Sports coaching (baseball, cricket, cycling, track)
- Industrial/airport vehicle monitoring
- Measurement principle: Doppler radar (microwave) or LIDAR (laser/time-of-flight).
- Speed range: Commonly from ~5 km/h (or lower) up to 320+ km/h (or ~2–200+ mph depending on model).
- Accuracy / tolerance: Typical ±0.5–±2 km/h or ±1–2% (model-dependent; enforcement-grade units are more accurate).
- Refresh rate / response time: Fast update (milliseconds); important for short bursts or small fast objects.
- Targeting / beam width: Narrower beam (or LIDAR’s pinpoint) reduces false readings from multiple targets.
- Distance / range: From a few meters (sports/golf) to several hundred meters (police/traffic) — LIDAR effective at medium range with high target specificity.
- Modes: Instant speed, average speed (over distance), peak speed, multi-target scanning, direction detection.
- Units & display: Switchable km/h / mph; LCD/LED display with backlight; some show distance, signal strength, or time stamps.
- Data logging: Internal memory for readings, timestamps, and session logs. Useful for analysis and evidence.
- Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or serial for exporting data to PC / mobile apps. Some have companion apps for plotting or firmware updates.
- Trigger / shot modes: Manual trigger, continuous read, or auto-capture modes.
- Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery or replaceable AA/AAA; battery life varies (several hours to a day depending on use).
- Form factor & ergonomics: Handheld pistol-grip, compact “pocket” units, or vehicle-mounted housings.
- Ruggedness & weatherproofing: IP-rated enclosures or weather-resistant designs for outdoor/enforcement use.
- Mounting options: Tripod/vehicle mounts available for fixed surveys or steady aiming.
- Legal/calibration features: Calibration certificates, tamper-evidence, and model approvals for legal/enforcement use (varies by country).
- Additional features: Laser rangefinder, built-in camera (for evidence), speed alarms, peak-hold, automatic target ID, multiple frequency bands (for radar).
