| Author | Message | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1420 Registered: 9-2001 |
Rob- I say 70 mph | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 654 Registered: 3-2001 |
Rob, sorry for the delayed response... been out of town. No, I don't have access to a radar gun. I'm still coaching little league... but my 9 year olds aren't exactly throwing heat yet. Hey, if you get your hands on one and your pitching speed approaches 85, you may become the #3 pitcher on the Texas Rangers following Kenny Rogers and Chan Ho Park!!! Can you hit too??? If so, I'd like to talk to you about becoming your agent. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 796 Registered: 7-2001 |
Arlie, can you email your documented experience? My 7 year old told me last night that he wanted his science project to be 'What happens when you approach the speed of light'. Just what I need, a little Einstein. | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Junior Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2002 |
Horsefly - is this some kind of Jeti mind game, or were you at some function that involved a young goat's blood? | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 254 Registered: 5-2002 |
I tried throwing one of those Laser balls one time. As the speed of the ball approached the speed of light, the balls mass started to approach infinity. My wristwatch started to slow down, and everything around me started to speed up. I assumed that I was dangerously close to warping the fabric of the space/time continuum because strange creatures started to appear in front of me, swimming out of the ether. The portal to the other dimension was close at hand. I backed off, not wishing to upset nature's equilibrium. | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Junior Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2002 |
Rob - seems like you are really excited about this throwing thing, so I hate to interject some bad news. Those Laser balls are not very accurate. A friend had one, and was registering rediculous velocity. I checked it against my RADAR gun, and it was way off. If you are real careful with the distance, and have someone catch with other-than soft hands (meaning the glove does not give when the ball hits it - not the correct way to catch), then you may get +/- 20 percent. On 70 miles per hour, that's 14 mph each way. You do the math. If you are really on a mission - go down to your local baseball batting cage. Most will have a RADAR gun to calibrate the pitching machines. Ask them if you could use it for a moment, or have one of their staff clock you. Slip them a $5 and it should not be a problem. Jim S. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2264 Registered: 12-2000 |
Great, I just bought a lazer ball from Sharper Image. In a few weeks I'll get someone to catch, my wife will video, and I'll go see what my 28 year old out of shape arm can do. Start taking your bets now. I bet at least 75 and probably 80+. Document your predictions on this thread. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 515 Registered: 10-2001 |
My brother-in-law throws smoke. I bought for $25 from Sharper Image their Laser Ball which is a hardball that you set to distance and throw. It will accurately clock your speed. He threw low 70's. Anyone who can throw 80 will be faster than anyone he's likely to ever meet except a pro player. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Junior Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 215 Registered: 7-2002 |
I say I drive by in Rob's 328 at 80mph and have him throw the ball at the trunk as I pass. I will just slow down until he knocks a taillight out. | ||
| chris (Wrench_turner)
New member Username: Wrench_turner Post Number: 42 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rob, tape yourself with a DV cam or a camera with a good time code. Then just see how long it takes the ball to reach the plate after it leaves your hand. You should be able to calculate the average speed of the ball over a known distance if you can just get the time. This would be easy with a dv cam because you could just edit a clip from the time the ball leaves your hand to when it's over the plate and see what the lenght of the clip is. It would be precise enough to get a decent estimate... | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 789 Registered: 7-2001 |
Rob, put that arm to work. Throw me another beer. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 459 Registered: 2-2002 |
Rob: If you pitch over 90 mph in your test maybe you can star in the sequel to "The Rookie". | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2232 Registered: 12-2000 |
Oh, I just thought of a great idea, even if I can't get a radar detector. We live right by the baseball diamonds, so I'll have my wife tape me and I'll put the video here. I can't do it until about a week after Indy, I have a swim meet the Tuesday right when I get back and I know my arm will take years to recover from throwing it out. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2230 Registered: 12-2000 |
Oh, that's a cool idea, I'll let you know what I find. Although those are usually in high traffic areas and I don't want to be in the paper like that. ;) Everytime I've let a few balls loose, my arm has taken a few days to recover. I think now in my old age it would take months to recover. Not really related to this, but when 18 (1992) I got third in the local long drive regional qualifier. Back in the days when the heads were small and the shafts steel. I do have proof my drive was 325 yards on an uphill landing area. Although by 2002 standards that's pretty dang short. I believe you guys because I've never been on radar with a baseball, but I can guarantee that you would be impressed. The throwing contest in college was with rubber balls and I was throwing mid to high 70's. You're right, even the pitchers from our college were barely making 70. | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Junior Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 145 Registered: 6-2002 |
Rob - there seems to be a convergence of evidence that the likelihood of your throwing over 70 mph is similar to my owning an F40 (or Enzo). I have had my RADAR gun for 7 years, and it is the unusual adult that can top 60 mph. Most high school pitchers (junior to senior) throw around 70 mph, with the rare exception in the mid to upper 70s. Major League starters throw in the mid to upper 80s, with the occasional 90-93. They cannot sustain 90 mph for more than 1 inning. Relievers throw in the 90s because they are only pitching 1 inning. Throwing a baseball 80 mph is VERY difficult, and these guys earn a lot of money for that reason - NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN DO IT. I am sure there is one thing that you can do, and that is to really hurt your shoulder trying. NOW, having doubted your manhood, there is one thing you can do. When you see one of those stationary RADAR speed signs, telling you that you are going too fast, stop your car, step around 60 feet away from it, make sure no cars are coming, and throw a few baseballs at it. See what it registers. Give it approximately 5 seconds between throws to reset. Those RADAR signs use the same RADAR as sports guns. Jim S. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2227 Registered: 12-2000 |
Who knows a bunch about MLB pitching? Don't you pretty much need to be left handed, throw 4-5 pitches, and 90 MPH+? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1397 Registered: 9-2001 |
were just busting you rob - aka nolan ryan  | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2226 Registered: 12-2000 |
ok, I don't know, it would be fun to see. | ||
| David White (Dwhite)
Junior Member Username: Dwhite Post Number: 70 Registered: 7-2002 |
Rob I knew a guy in high school who thought he could throw fast(was a pitcher). He could barly top 70 mph off a mound. Over 80 would be exceptional without a mound and training. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2225 Registered: 12-2000 |
Unfortunately my Type A personality tricks me into believing I can do anything, so obviously it's wrong because I live next to a Texas mobile home park and I'm a computer geek. Last week I was watching the IRL race thinking that it wouldn't be too hard. LOL I'm a failure! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1391 Registered: 9-2001 |
in the majors very few throw over 95, maybe you missed your calling | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2221 Registered: 12-2000 |
I've never been clocked, but trust me, I've never lost a throwing contest and once goofing around after school I had the entire varsity football team in awe as I launched footballs down the field. In a college carnival all the baseball players were gathered around a tossing event as my speeds were 5-10 mph more than their pitchers. However, that is Babson though, maybe a top drinking team, but not a playing team. ;) I'm not bragging, just think it's funny and have always been curious. Who knows, my arm might not be what it use to be and the true speed may be 85 as far as I know. That's why I want to test it. Even if it was 95 mph, that's not very fast for the majors and I still don't have my accuracy and can only throw one pitch. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1387 Registered: 9-2001 |
Rob All due respect but I doubt you can throw in the 90's right off the street. If you can then I we will have another dinner in NY when you visit again | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2219 Registered: 12-2000 |
Does anyone know where I can get my base ball pitch clocked around DFW? Would I have to buy a gun or would some batting cages have one? I stopped playing baseball about 6th grade and they wouldn't let me pitch because of how wild I was, but growing up I've never seen anyone that can throw as hard or far as I can. Not like I have dreams of MLB at age 28, but I would be curious how hard it really is. It may only be 93-95 mph, but I know it's up there. BobD, any of your Southlake teams with a radar gun you can borrow. | ||
| Erik R. Jonsson (Gamester)
New member Username: Gamester Post Number: 49 Registered: 3-2002 |
We are allowed by law to see the display, yet I have found when I do ask they say they did not lock the gun. | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
Member Username: Mtabije Post Number: 275 Registered: 10-2001 |
I have been pulled over for speeding before. I have been told by people when I do get pulled over to ask to see the radar gun display for the speed. To me, that sounds to cocky and would probably make the police officer more willing to write a ticket; or "Please step out of the vehicle" situations. Has anybody ever tried this tactic? Are we within our legal rights to ask? | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Junior Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 143 Registered: 6-2002 |
With 3 children in various baseball leagues, I invested in a radar gun several years ago. It was sold by Jugs, and made by Decatur Electronics. I spoke with Decatur on several occasions, and found that they manufacturer many police radar guns, and that they are essentially the same. Depending on the police specification, they will alter the microwave antenna to narrow the beam or widen it. I have used my radar gun in the car to calibrate my speedometer. The gun is VERY accurate, and comes with a metal tuning fork that checks the precision of the gun. Thus, while traveling at 70 mph indicated on the speedomter, I aim the gun at an overhead highway bridge (stationary object with no "sine" angle correction) and pull the trigger on the gun. It may read 73 or 67 or whatever. Now here is the fun part. While traveling down I-5 in Southern California, I turned on the radar gun to check my speed. As soon as I turned on the gun, half of the cars in front of me jammed on their brakes with panic-like slow-downs. They all must have had radar detectors on! When I have used my gun at a ball park where someone else is using their's, my gun will register a nonsense speed, like 199 - meaning that the internal computer chip measuring the time variation or doppler shift was confused and displayed a default number. Thus, I suspect this is what happens to a police radar when they are subjected to a jamming signal. Now, if one were to purchase a baseball radar gun, happen to leave it on while calibrating your speedomter, well, I guess this could be illuminating. Jim S. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 406 Registered: 1-2002 |
Hey, Doody, you could always move to a neighboring state that takes a less Soviet view on taxation... | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member Username: Doody Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2001 |
actually - i don't use a detector to drive at excessive speeds. i use a detector because the penalty for being cited for speeding is horrifically unpleasant, at least in my state (MA). if i'm doing excessive speeds on the mass pike then i deserve whatever i get (ticket, jail, etc.). however, if i'm doing 42 in an non-thickly-settled, arbitrarily marked 30 zone that will hurt plenty. i've never been pulled over or nearly pulled over on the highway for speeding. when i've been pulled over it's always been for stupid stuff, like the above, or taking an off-ramp too fast (actually, officer, this car won't flip over on that ramp at twice that speed, thank you). it's just not worth not knowing what's up ahead. and the instant-on argument is not a valid argument unless there's nobody in front of you for a mile or a half-mile. you'll pick up the stray signal from them zapping folks in front of you (at least on a V1 you will). in MA, points on your license are basically a progressive tax. if you only own a yugo, you're okay. if you own a bunch of expensive cars, you're screwed, as the infraction stays on your record for seven years and pumps your insurance bill (and there's NO auto insurance competition in MA - it's fully regulated with dictated pricing). one ticket will cost me a few thousand dollars over seven years. so a $500 radar detector is a no-brainer investment. doody. | ||
| Chuck Babel (Chuck_98_rt10)
Junior Member Username: Chuck_98_rt10 Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2002 |
Y�know this kind of discussion is pathetic. Not that we use detectors and jammers, but that speeding tickets are such an issue with the pigs that we go to such extents just to grasp a small portion of freedom to travel at a reasonable speed rather than the ridiculous 65 and 70mph posted throughout the country. Point of fact, if there is an inordinate number of people breaking a law then the law needs to be re-evaluated. After all, we�re not murderers, rapist or thieves. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 305 Registered: 5-2001 |
That is a great site. Several areas listed are roads I frequently travel near my home. I'll be more careful | ||
| Bak-a-lack-a Bak-a-lacka-lacka ! (Chris_n_chicago)
Junior Member Username: Chris_n_chicago Post Number: 90 Registered: 3-2002 |
http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/stetlist.htm | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 302 Registered: 5-2001 |
Once you get used to the V1's arrows you can't live without them. It's not just a detector, it's a LOCATOR. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 57 Registered: 8-2002 |
I did a review for the FCA News a few years ago. I got several jammers, and several police radar guns. In a nutshell, "passive" jammers (white noise) are WORTHLESS. "Active" jammers work, but only on K-band and X-band, not KA, which has become a lot more common than when I did the review/testing. The "active" jammer folks have been put out of business, for the most part. You can read a reprint of the articles at www.ferrariclub.com/faq/jammers.html Personally, I just use a Valentine One, though I've still got one of the Phantom VRCD's here. If you're sure your local police don't use Ka-band, then it would be sweet, but otherwise its coverage isn't complete and you're better off with a good detector like the V1. Mike | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 248 Registered: 1-2002 |
My current car had built in K40 when I bought it, but I always used a V1, so I used them both at the same time for a while. The K40 was nearly useless. The V1 has always given me plenty of time and easily picks up instant on from cars way ahead of me. Plus the directional arrows are indispensible IMO. Dave | ||
| DHutchison (Hutch308)
Junior Member Username: Hutch308 Post Number: 87 Registered: 1-2002 |
Even with instant-on radar, the radar gun is still emitting a very weak signal of radar. Most of the newer high-end quality detectors will be able to pick up the weak signal and alert you that instant-on radar is nearby (or that you are driving by a store with security!). Instant-on is always on, the radar gun is just not sending out a strong enough signal to get an accurate speed reading until the cop pulls the trigger and activates the radar gun to send out a stronger more accurate radar wave. | ||
| Edu Lin (Edulin)
New member Username: Edulin Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2002 |
The guy who runs the following web site (UK based) has done his own tests on laser jammers. www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk | ||
| Al LaPeter (Lapeter)
New member Username: Lapeter Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2002 |
Most states use instant on radar. If you get a signal it is too late unless there is a vehicle in front of you. I use a detecor effectively all the time, but only when somebody is ahead of me and I can see them. I have heard that some states (not mine) have radar that will also read the speed of the second car. If the police have this radar, you are toast. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 885 Registered: 4-2002 |
good morn...hutch b.b | ||
| DHutchison (Hutch308)
Junior Member Username: Hutch308 Post Number: 86 Registered: 1-2002 |
I've got a K-40 unit (radar X, K, KA bands with laser detector/shifter) on my 308. Laser is legal to alter/scramble because it is regulated by the FDA, not the FCC. Also, laser is scrambled passively, meaning the signal is sent back to the laser gun altered. Radar is illegal to jam/scramble because in order to jam radar, you have to send out a signal actively. The FCC is the regulating body that wants to know who is sending out what and on what frequency/wavelength. | ||
| Jim Conforti (Lndshrk)
New member Username: Lndshrk Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2002 |
With RADAR: if it works, it's illegal. if it's legal, it don't work ;) With LASER/LIDAR: The only ones I *know* that work are the K-40 unit, and the Blinder from DK. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 292 Registered: 5-2001 |
A few years back Car & Driver did a test on scramblers. If I remember all but one brand failed to perform as advertised. The good one worked very well but could only be bought as a kit that the owner needed to assemble and it was very expensive. Does anyone remember this article? | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
Member Username: Fred Post Number: 626 Registered: 2-2001 |
I don't know about all jammers but there is one out that is called the phantom and goes by a few other names also. The same company also makes a radar/jammer. The company is called something like "rocky mountain (something)" I don't remember the full name. Anyway several years ago I bought one of these pieces of junk. It is basically a box with a light on it. My cousin is a cop and shot me with a radar gun. He got my speed dead on everytime. I have since read reviews that it is no good. | ||
| Ernie Bonilla (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 356 Registered: 11-2001 |
What happens is the radar gun display will not register. So they will either think that the gun isn't working, or that they are being jammed. I read an article talking about a jammer called the "stealth". As best I can remember, what the jammer does is send out a signal that says the car is acclerating from 5mph-300mph-5mph in three seconds, so the radar refuses to register. When they tested it not only did it block out the car they were in but also a tractor trailer and a car next to them. So I'm not sure that they can detect for sure, but I would be willing to bet that they can figure it out and will look to see if you have one. | ||
| Craig (Beachbum)
New member Username: Beachbum Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2002 |
here in Calif radar detectors are legal but scramblers are illegal, can the police detect if your using a scrambler? |