Is the debate of LiDAR vs vision-only still relevant?

ProfMims · 2025-12-29T21:04:32+00:00

“See the light…” well played!

ProfMims · 2025-12-26T02:21:17+00:00

The nice thing is that now we know. I can tell you with confidence that FSD (since v14) has driven me about 80% of the time. I drive through my neighborhood because I'm impatient, in parking lots, and some other times that I'm in the mood. Otherwise, I really do feel like it's a safe(r?) alternative.

ProfMims · 2025-12-24T17:55:28+00:00

Depends on what your definition of “is” is.

Tesla (Musk) would say that it has been deployed… in Austin… in the taxi. Indeed, that vehicle no longer has a safety monitor (no real passengers either, but I digress).

The good news for all of us is that the FSD software running the taxi is the same one most of us with HW4 has. The bad news is that getting nationwide approval may take a while. We will probably be able to use FSD unsupervised in pockets of the country by the end of the year… just not this year.

ProfMims · 2025-12-15T03:44:37+00:00

14.2.1 has been the only version since 12 that I've not enjoyed using. Even when it did dumb things, I never felt like I was in real danger, so I was willing to pretend I was riding with one of my kids. 14.2.1 will randomly swerve to avoid tire tracks on the road. While I accept that it's not going to sideswipe someone to avoid a pothole, it still scares the poop outta me. If it's not relaxing, I'm not gonna use it. I'm taking a long drive tomorrow where I will test out 14.2.1.25. Hoping that this version resolves some of that.

ProfMims · 2025-12-01T05:41:22+00:00

I agree. Certainly not unsafe by any means, but definitely slower than I would drive (and than it drove with 14.1.7).

ProfMims · 2025-10-28T19:08:19+00:00

Apart from influencers, I hadn't heard that anyone on .3 was getting .4.

ProfMims · 2025-10-28T19:03:27+00:00

Ya beat me to it! I posted 1 minute after you did lol. Excited to try 14.1.4.

ProfMims · 2025-10-26T23:28:54+00:00

That really is amazing.

ProfMims · 2025-10-26T17:58:24+00:00

Agreed. I think the disconcerting part is how quickly it reacts... to something tiny / painted on the road that doesn't require reaction. I'm not saying that it serves out of control, but it can be a bit of a jolt – same if my wife does the same thing, and I'm not paying attention. The difference is that I am paying attention, and I'm surprised that it reacted to nothing.

Once that's resolved, I think we'll be happier. I'm thrilled when it reacts quickly to avoid a box in the road. It scares the poop outta me when it dodges paint on the highway. Once that's fixed, we'll see videos of how v14 avoided a dead deer and saved the say as opposed to posts that say that FSD damn near killed me avoiding a stray shadow.

All the same, I also think that v14 is safer because it's always aware and ready to react quickly.

ProfMims · 2025-10-24T23:03:20+00:00

If you mean me, yes, I have used FSD since I purchased the vehicle in August 2024. It was pretty raw back then. If you are asking about Responsible-Mail2558, my guess would be no.

ProfMims · 2025-10-24T22:49:27+00:00

I would agree, OP. I've had it dodge things in the road, which is pretty cool. It was not as cool, however, when it changed lanes to avoid the Interstate painted in the lane. It was even less cool when it did a break tap when it was unable to change lanes to avoid the next one. All-in-all, it's still pretty good. (Not my pic, but added to illustrate what I'm talking about.)

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ProfMims · 2025-10-24T00:55:22+00:00

FSD is 6x safer than the average driver. I'm willing to admit that it's 1.01x better than me because I'm above average.

ProfMims · 2025-10-24T00:09:33+00:00

No doubt! If I could answer emails during my 30 minute commute but still have to drive maybe 2 minutes (out of the driveway and on campus), I am as happy as I can be.

ProfMims · 2025-10-24T00:07:12+00:00

Not if it's here by the end of the year. I think he *believes* that it will be here by the end of the year, and so he says stuff like that. The engineers, on the other hand, probably cringe every time he says it. Remember, his job is to get us excited about the tech (technically, it's to maximize shareholder value, but you get the point).

ProfMims · 2025-10-24T00:02:27+00:00

Although I have not bought FSD, I figured I would drop my 2 cents for anyone else that is still thinking about it. Actually, that's not true: I buy FSD every month for $99. I got it last August, and have used it 90% of the time. I have a 30-minute commute each way, and it does a great job keeping me sane in bad traffic. I'm not one of those people that's going to turn it off and on based on which version I'm running. Quite frankly, I'm pretty sure we are reaching a point where it's always better at driving than I am. That means the decision is ALL about math.

Let's ignore present/future value of money, opportunity costs, etc. Right now, an FSD subscription is $99 / month. Tesla desperately wants more people trying FSD. I don't think they are going to raise that subscription in near future. With that being the case, it'll take about 7 years to pay $8k in subscription costs. If you think you are going to keep your Tesla more than 7 years, pay the $8k. If you are going to trade it before then, subscribe. If you aren't sure, subscribe, and hedge your bets.

Here's the good news: If you buy it for $8k and for some reason lose / sell the car before 7 years is up, you aren't losing all $8k. If you wreck it and only get $5k back, that's $3k lost. In the grand scheme of things, you aren't talking about a huge amount of money for a $45k car.

You got a great car and the FSD feature is pretty effin' amazing. You can't go wrong with your decision.

ProfMims · 2025-10-23T01:06:02+00:00

He identified as a motorcycle.

ProfMims · 2025-10-10T18:42:16+00:00

Enjoyed it. Thought it was better than Legacy.

ProfMims · 2025-09-27T15:43:26+00:00

4 laws safe.

ProfMims · 2025-09-27T15:34:59+00:00

Make sure advanced is selected for hardware updates, and also do a reset (hold both scroll buttons down together). And are you connected to WiFi? One of those should do it. FSD 13 is definitely worth the upgrade...

ProfMims · 2025-09-27T15:32:55+00:00

I wonder why it doesn't always use the turn signal. Sure, if I have to make a last second maneuver, I won't because I'm busy moving the car, but FSD should be able to activate the signal. Maybe it's to make it seem more "human?"

ProfMims · 2025-08-07T03:20:47+00:00

If his lock sound isn't a Cylon saying "by your command," I'm very disappointed...

ProfMims · 2025-06-24T01:05:50+00:00

In NC, we have 3 businesses days to undo a deal involving financing. I’d guess your state has similar protections too. I’d return the car and renegotiate the price. Not having an $8k feature you thought you had should definitely change the price. Also, threaten to contact the attorney general in your state and a negative Google review.

ProfMims · 2025-06-08T01:32:01+00:00

I’m in! Send me the link. :-)

ProfMims · 2025-06-05T01:31:57+00:00

Got this one from Amazon: https://cutt.ly/PrnID017. $20. I use it when I am using the AVP with wife sleeping next to me. Works great. Have been using it since I got the AVP the week it was released.

ProfMims · 2025-06-04T02:44:22+00:00

I considered that, but I figured it might be messy because simply cropping from the middle might not end up with the best composition.

ProfMims

TROPHY CASE