Laser Baseball Speed Detectors

[lbc]

I am interested in conducting some tests of laser baseball speed detectors.
Does anyone know of sources for these detectors? What is the wavelength they use? What type of photo detector diode could I use to detect their signals?

Thanks,

lbc

 

[lasersbee]

Those handheld Sports speed detectors use a Microwave Doppler Shift
to calculate speed... Matel used to have one for under $100.00..

BTW...
Thanks for introducing yourself... and why the "Thumbs Down" Icon on
your 1st Post Title...:thinking:

to the Forum....

Don't forget to read the Newcomers Section and the Forum Rules...


Jerry

 

[Alshere]

Hello lbc

Welcome to the forum. The thumbs down is traditionally a negative. I think you meant it as a "low" priority but anyway as Lasersbee said they can be found on ebay. They run about 30 to 40 $US. Just search for Hot wheel radar.

Again Welcome

 

[rangedunits]

They aint lsaers, they microwave or RF.

 

[lasersbee]

I really like it when a noob comes here to ask a Non Laser related
question in the wrong section... and then can't be bothered to respond
to the answers supplied by community members...:wtf:

Jerry

 

[Volfram]

Those handheld Sports speed detectors use a Microwave Doppler Shift
to calculate speed... Matel used to have one for under $100.00..

I have one of those! It's surprisingly accurate.($5 at a yard sale. I think they're usually $20)

Speaking of which, did anyone see the KipKay video where his "hack" job on the Hot Wheels speed gun was basically a casemod?*facepalm*

 

[lbc]

Sorry for the delay in acknowledging everyone's responses. I don't spend much time on my computer. Usually only several times a week for an hour or so. I will check this forum when I do get on the computer. Thanks to all for the quick and understandable answers.

After looking at ads for these devices I learned what Laserbee and Rangedunits said - they are not lasers but microwave based units. This is confusing since I thought radar (RF and microwave) only reflect off of a electric conductor (metal or water). Does a baseball contain any conductive material? If not, how does the wave reflect off the baseball?

The reason I used a "Thumbs Down" icon was my old, weak eyes thought it was a question mark and since I was asking a question I thought that was an appropriate indicator.

I will try to get back on this site tomorrow night. You have been most informative. I will also take your advice to read the rules and newcomers section. I appreciate your continued patience as I learn how to use this site.

Regards,
Buzz

 

[lasersbee]

Hey Buzz...

N/P... glad you made it back...

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves... imagine them as a light source...
You send them out towards a baseball and some of the light reflects off
the baseball back to the sending unit...
Because the baseball is moving towards the sending unit... the Microwave
frequency gets sped up in direct relation to the speed of the baseball...
That change in received frequency to the sent frequency is called the
Doppler Shift... and is used to display the speed of the baseball...


Jerry