Radar Detectors
 

OK, so the only reason that I haven't bought a radar detector is because I've heard that they can't protect against instant-on lasers. Is this true? Or just hype created to help cops out? Discuss

The theory I've heard, and proved with Radar 20 years ago, is if you can see/detect them, they've already seen you.

You're best protection is someone ahead of you to catch the cop's attention.

Drive smart. Always keep a 'buffer' or 'bait' car in front of you. You will detect the scattered radiation off their car when they take a hit. I've used this technique for years, and have succesfully picked up a scattered laser hit from just over a mile away on I-5 in California.

Good thing, too. I was going triple digits and picked up the hit from a car so far ahead, I couldn't see his taillights.

That's amazing.

Will, what kind of radar detector do you use, and are you SOL if you're on an empty highway?

one on one on an empty highway, you are toast, dead meat.

the cop pulled me over told me is that with the new technology that is coming out with Radar....the only thing the Dector is good for is to tell you that you have been caught

Driving with detectors isn't simple. It's a state of mind. Defensive. It's the whole technique in how to drive and detect all at once. Knowing how radar and laser work teaches you how to protect yourself.

I run dual detectors in both cars. Front and rear. Different detectors for uniquely different sounds so I instinctively know if it's rear or front. NO detector that advertises 360 actually is. My rear detectors always pick up a rear hit LONG before the front does.

Bel Vector 940 is the best I've owned. Front in the Zilla.

I had an instant on laser hit me tonight in chicago and my detector didnt catch it.

Got pulled over for 75 in a 40 on lakeshore drive. they pulled me out of the car and had me sit on the curb while they searched the car for anything they could find :lol: and suprisingly enough they let me go with no ticket...... :shock:

Would you just tell them what happened pete! Jees.

I would check this site out. It was referred to me and I have made my decision for a detector when i finally have the money to get one.

http://www.radarbusters.com/products...rs/default.asp

I was actually looking at one of those last week...sustained 120mph speeds in the middle of nowhere...it may be a good idea to have a radar detector to avoid a $118 ticket..... :D

Pete...search for this.. we recently had a great discussion on it.

The basics are..
If you see them.. and the detector goes off.. you are done.
If instant on is being used..it's not transmitting a signal for your detector to pick up until the signal to check your speed is shot at you.

Pretty much.. it'll tell you when to pull over. ;)

Yes and no Bill. As far as I have seen, all radar guns made within the last 8 to 10 years are instant on. Even the old ones had some instant on-ness to them. But in no way does that mean you are screwed. If in traffic, even a laser (the most precise as far as hitting one car and not setting off all the detectors in a mile radius) will give you warning. As Bill, said, there is scattering that occurs, and you can pick it up. Instant on radar, yeah, you will get warning, but it will be very on and off.

Bottom line: It all comes down to the cop. The good ones know how fast you are going before they tag you, it just confirms what they already know. With that said...they are waiting for you, instant on ready to go...

I disagree Logan...

If you are tagged with instant on and it hasn't been used previous to you being tagged. It's over. If the cop is randomly shooting everyone in front of you...yes..you might have warning. Most cops won't do this since it removes the element of surprise that their gun was designed to give.

Re: Radar Detectors
 

Drive the speed limit and you won't have to worry about it....

I prefer to fly by them. then look in the rear view mirror and say.
dont turn on the lights. dont turn on the lights. :D

If you really want protection from laser/lidar, invest in a good laser jammer.

http://www.lidatek.com/ they sponsor us we have 3 of there units totally undetectable full coverage. used for over a year with no problems got shot by the laser comming into Charlotte triple digits cop didnt even chase me.

even the passport and the solo 2 dont match up and they have great units.

Ha...ive done that a couple of times....Once I see the squad, I know they have seen me. I don't even slow down... I got pulled over once in my life. I was 18...I am now 42.
I drive 5 to 10 miles over on the freeway, depending on my confidence level. I go 5 over on most side roads. Nothing over in residential areas. That's what I feel safe at.. works for me

I have never been pulled over while having a radar detector in my car. (not for speeding anyway). As of right now I have a Cobra 12 band detector that I got for Christmas and it saved my butt yesterday.

Those of us who have been using them for years (me since the 80's) have developed good habits and skills. We have proven time and time again that you can make detectors work against instant-on radar or laser if you drive smart and aware.

You can't make the cop sqeeze the trigger on the car ahead of you with a detector. It is the other driving habits employed that are working, the detector(s) are completely irrevelant.

Good driving habits and not making yourself the target are what will keep you from being handed a ticket in the long run.

That's the key!! The detector itself won't save you. You gotta learn how to use it. If you're the only one on the road, yer screwt! But, if you got people around you, you can hope(?) they tag someone else first, and you pick up the scatter.

You're best bet, with or without a detector, is stick to the flow of traffic. If you make yourself stand out, you're gonna be the one they target.

And I can guarantee that if you simply abide by the laws of the road, you won't need to waste your money on a radar/laser detector. It's just a habit you should break...

But then again, what do I know?

Easier said than done :lol:

It's cost effective.
No spend on detector
No spend on extra fuel
No spend on ticket

Bill, yes you can. You have to find someone going as fast as you want to do. If you wait long enough on freeways, you will find someone who is will/dumb enough to drive 15-20 over. You follow them...but 1/2 mile back...for example.




I think anything that jams or interferes is illegal in 50 states...

actually no.

RADAR jammers are illegal. Laser jammers are only illegal in certain states like minnesota :lol: . And of course detectors being illegal in only 2 states.

What?? :?: :?: :?: :? :? :? :?: :?

:roll: More drunk posting..lol

Actually, I stand corrected. Radar jammers are only illegal in a few states, but they don't work. Laser jammers are only illegal in the same few states, and they do work.

I tend to stay within 10 mph of the limit on the freeway. Might push it to 15 if theres people out running point for me... If y'know what I mean..... ;)

Oooh, me too me too :lol: I only travel around 7 or 8 mph over usually. My latest problem is I've been listening to my cd's too loud and can't hear when the detector is going off. :roll: I'm very satisfied with my detector. It has all the bells and whistles and hasn't let me down yet. ;)

I don't really beleive there is such a thng.
How are you going to catch up to that laser beam since you can't detect it before it hits you and theres nothing that travels faster?
And since it takes a few millisecond or more for your jammer to kickin and send a jamming signal back, the original beam is already back at the cop car..
And btw, since lasers are line of sight, how does the detector fire the beam right back at the cops laser gun?

Now laser absorbing paint would be another matter entirely :twisted:

Read the second paragraph

http://www.radarjammers.com/pages/howdotheywork.shtml





It doesn't have to. Its a high tech range finder. But it does it two or more times, and determines the change in distance over the change in time. Simple physics.

:shocked:
only 118 bucks for a 120!!!!???

It's Idaho... What's he gonna do if he crashes, mash a field of http://www.mos95b.com/New/-Animated/PO-TA-TOES.gif???

:lol: :lol:

At 120mph the only thing that's going to help you is pulling over quickly and turning off the car. Radar detector isn't going to change a single thing.

In Oregon, 100+ is an automatic $1000 fine, loss of license at the scene for at LEAST 30 days, maybe longer, and possible jail time.

In comparison, the last time I heard, 95 in a 65 is around $500.

Two years ago I got clocked for 106 in a 75 in Nevada. He wrote the ticket for 100 even and the fine was 347bucks.

Yeah, the standard procedure for a laser jammer (according to some of my buddies that run them) is when you get hit, the laser gun gives an error message for a "misread" and the jammer tells you you've been hit. You then use that opportunity to slow down, turn off the jammer, and the cop hits you again at a legal speed.