Torrey Pines Logic Mirage-1200 and Myth-350 Handheld Sniper Detection Systems

By David Crane
defrev at gmail dot com

December 8, 2008

If executive protection/PSD ops are your game, Torrey Pines Logic, Inc. (TPL) may be the name when it comes to sniper detection systems a.k.a. anti-sniper systems, video surveillance detection, and photographic surveillance detection.

First up is the TPL Mirage-1200 handheld electro-optical detector (optic detector), which is designed to detect long-range optical systems targeting you at ranges up to 1200 meters away. If someone’s scoping you with a rifle, you can detect them lurking out there in the proverbial ether quickly and efficiently, hopefully before they can take the shot. Or, if they’re just surveilling you with a video camera, still camera, binoculars, etc., you can detect them and go grab them up and hold them for questioning before they escape. In other words, you may not be able to see the bad guys before they see you, but you can see them very quickly after they see you.

So, how does it work? The Mirage 1200…

sends out a defocused, eye-safe pulsed laser beam that bounces off all objects in its view. When it hits a layered or "stacked" optic/lens like a scope or other high-powered optic, it sends a real-time image back to user, highlighting the exact location of the shooter/sniper or observer as a bright spot on an otherwise monochromatic image of the scene. As TPL’s president/CEO, Dr. Leo Volfson points out, "an enemy operation is always preceded by optical reconnaissance." The Mirage-1200 will therefore hopefully allow a PSD team to detect the enemy during the enemy’s planning stages, before it gets to the terminal phase of the enemy op.

Editor’s Note: DefenseReview is aware of a COTS product out there that would seem to be a very simple, low-cost counter to TPL’s pulsed-laser sniper detection tech, but we won’t name it for purposes of OPSEC. 

Click here to watch the Mirage-1200 promotional video.

If 1200-meter detection is overkill for your detection/operational requirements, Torrey Pines Logic has a lesser-powered anti-sniper/surveillance system/detector called the Myth-350, which can detect threats out to 350 meters. Interestingly, TPL doesn’t have available info on the Myth 350 on their website. Fortunately, the Responder Knowledge Base does.

The Mirage-1200 and Myth-350 electro-optical detectors/optical sensor kits can also detect pinhole cameras and capture license plates (vehicle tag numbers) at night.

As it happens, Defense Review recently published an article involving a photo of a 5-man U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division (PPD) Counter Assault Team (CAT) protecting President Elect Barack Obama in downtown Chicago, where we recommended some tactical items/accoutrements for their executive protection/PSD tool kit. If they’re not already using the Mirage 1200 and/or the Myth 350 optic/sniper detectors, they should definitely add them to our recommended items list. Let’s face it, VIP protection doesn’t get any bigger or more important than protecting POTUS.

Since the Mirage-1200 and Myth-350 are reportedly already in use with military (including U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG), U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NAVSPECWAR), and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)) and law enforcement agencies, it would seem logical that the Secret Service would use either these specific systems or similar hardware while conducting their VIP protection operations.

While we’re on the subject of long-range optics detection, we should perhaps also mention the TPL Beam-1000, which is a vehicle-mounted or pole/building-mounted fixed-solution long-range optical systems detector that can automatically scan 360 degrees (automatic 360-degree scanning) and provide all-weather 24-hour surveillance. The Beam 1000 looks ideally suited any high-value-target perimeter security operation/mission, including base security, Embassy security, White House security, etc…

Mirage-1200 Specifications:
Detection range: 1,200 meters
Field-of-View: 4° 30’

Size: 3” x 5.5” x 12”
Weight: 2.2 kgs (4.8 lbs)

Myth-350 Specifications:
Detection Range: 350 meters
Field of View: NA

Size: NA

Weight: 2.4 lbs

Beam-1000 Specifications:
Detection range: 1,000 meters
Field-of-View: Scanning 360°
Size: 6” x 7” x 10”
Weight: 3 kgs (6.5 lbs)

Company Contact Info:

Dr. Leo Volfson
President/CEO
Torrey Pines Logic, Inc. (TPL)
12651 High Bluff Drive, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92130
858-755-4549 Office
858-350-0007 fax
info@tplogic.com Email
http://www.tplogic.com Website

Related Articles, Videos, and Links:

Mirage-1200 Sniper Detection Systems Promotiona Video

DefRev Photo Analysis: U.S. Secret Service PPD CAT Operator Tactical Hardware

Ears-MM Soldier-Wearable Gunshot/Sniper Detection and Location System

Anti-Sniper/Sniper Detection/Gunfire Detection Systems at a Glance

Sniper Location & Gunshot Detection Systems (Defense Update)

Acronyms and Abbreviations:

PSD – Personal Security Detail a.k.a. Personal Security Detachment

Ops – Operations

COTS – Commercial Off The Shelf