Radar Detectors?

[.Kevin.]

Does anyone know how much these costs? and whereabouts you purchase one? I have a bad habit of speeding on open roads late at night and early morning and almost got nailed by the cops today lol

and howabouts do you go installing these?

[matthewai]

good ones are about 80 - 100

[.Kevin.]

Where do they sell them? And how do they get installed?

I am sure its not one of those things walmart sells, maybe Canadian Tire?

[matthewai]

hmm im not familiar with canadian tire i think they just suction to windshield cuz it needs a clear view to detect the radar maybe like peep boys auto zone or auto barn do they have those in canada?

http://www.google.com/#q=radar+detectors&hl=en&prmd=ivsn&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=8HXOTJeHNoKglAeg7tDqCA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CHMQrQQwAg&fp=ddfbf15c2e2f4021

[matthewai]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaC77ZkkY_8&feature=fvst

[.Kevin.]

Nope no pep boys or auto zone.

And I guess they don't sell one here I tried searching on Canadian Tire website.

Any Canadians here know?

[firemachine69]

good ones are about 80 - 100



More like 400-600+. :rolleyes:

[matthewai]

my friend has a nice one he got for 100 it work jsut as well as a 400 dollar one i mean it does the same thing bassigg

[Focus_Sh1ft]

my friend has a nice one he got for 100 it work jsut as well as a 400 dollar one i mean it does the same thing bassigg

There's a reason why it costs $300 more :rolleyes:

I wish you were interested sooner, I had a Beltronics V940 for a good price that I ended up just giving to my girlfriend :iono:

I have a valentine one and god damn does it get great range detection. If you do end up getting a radar detector, don't buy any whistlers / cobras / rocky mountain. That basically leaves you with two options - $300+ high performance detectors, or Beltronics vector series. I think you can get a V940 for like $120, and it has pretty good range detection.

[JumpmanYaris]

More like 400-600+. :rolleyes:

+1

[JumpmanYaris]

I have one that I don't use

[Shinare]

I keep hearing all this talk about "instant on laser" being what cops are going to and it effectively nullifies any kind of pre-detection since the laser is pointed at the car and is only fired at the car when it can read the speed accurately so basically you've just purchased a fancy box that will let you know when a cop is seeing how fast you are going. (and let you know when you are passing by any grocery stores)

Or is that just PR put out by the man so that we don't even try anymore?

[JumpmanYaris]

True, so I say get a Radar Jammer its illegal but it works haha

[.Kevin.]

Jumpman sell me yours lol, and does anyone know any Canadian stores that would sell one?

[JumpmanYaris]

It's a a Cobra I think I haven't used in a loooong time Kept me from getting some nasty tickets lol mine was 150 if you want it, its urs for $50usd

[.Kevin.]

If you can hold it til my next pay cheque, you can consider it sold? PM me for details if that sounds good :b

[JumpmanYaris]

Pm'd

[Focus_Sh1ft]

I keep hearing all this talk about "instant on laser" being what cops are going to and it effectively nullifies any kind of pre-detection since the laser is pointed at the car and is only fired at the car when it can read the speed accurately so basically you've just purchased a fancy box that will let you know when a cop is seeing how fast you are going. (and let you know when you are passing by any grocery stores)

Or is that just PR put out by the man so that we don't even try anymore?

"Instant on" and "laser" are two totally different things. Here's a quick breakdown on cop's detection techniques:

1) Radar unit. This simply sends out waves in every direction, finds the fastest moving object, then reports back to the unit with the speed and approximate location. They're the least threatening because you can pick up most wavelengths from thousands of feet away. However, cops that aren't totally retarded can use these to "instant on." This is where they have the unit off, are sitting (usually) on a quiet road, then turn their unit on and off quick enough to get a reading as soon as they see you (or your headlights in my case). If you don't see the cop prior, you're screwed. I've been caught one time, and this was it.

2) Radar gun. Basically the same as the unit, but has to be pointed at the moving vehicle. Although it's somewhat similar to instant on (because it's off until triggered), it's usually not a threat. The waves emitted from the gun bounce all over the place, so if another vehicle is targeted (even if you're thousands of feet away), you'll likely still get the warning.

3) Laser. These are the worst, but also the most scarce because they're more expensive than the aforementioned methods. Living in crappy Jersey, I've only seen laser twice, and that was on I80 being used by state troopers. These work by emitting a thin beam of light directly at your car, usually the windshield or front license plate. The catch with these is that they take 3-5 seconds to get a reading on the gun. So as soon as you get a laser warning, it's very possible to slam on the brakes and decrease speed enough in that time. By doing that, you're also increasing the time it takes for the laser to get a good reading. Trust me, I've done it :thumbsup:

Oh and that bit about a radar jammer... Don't do it. Most radar units these days can detect other units that are jamming their signal. So you're basically breaking the law, then drawing attention to yourself.

[Astroman]

Nice clarification there! I never got a speeding ticket until I purchased a radar detector. Got nailed twice with laser :rolleyes:, same cop, same road. Learned my lesson.

[.Kevin.]

I got gunned once and saw him lift it and turned onto a minor road lol it blows.

responded to the pm btw!

[severous01]

escort is all i gotta say

[djct_watt]

Laser Blinders + Valentine 1 or Passport 8500/9500 FTW.

I don't know why, but in the USA there isn't a lot of legislation YET against laser jamming, but you should double check that. My friend uses laser blinders and has had no issues yet.

If you are in a pinch, get a Beltronics Vector 995 (it's pretty near identical to a passport, as they are now the same company).

But with the increased deployment of laser, radar detectors are becoming obsolete. That, and many cop choose to just pace you, for which there is no working detector. The best way to avoid a ticket is to use your head, and not drive like a jack***.

[why?]

I keep hearing all this talk about "instant on laser" being what cops are going to and it effectively nullifies any kind of pre-detection since the laser is pointed at the car and is only fired at the car when it can read the speed accurately so basically you've just purchased a fancy box that will let you know when a cop is seeing how fast you are going. (and let you know when you are passing by any grocery stores)

Or is that just PR put out by the man so that we don't even try anymore?

the same people that sell the cops their radars also sells the radar detectors, so i am sure they know how to detect them.

I agree though if you are going to put the money into one get the valentine one. It is just flat out the best, by far.

[djct_watt]

I was never aware that Stalker, Kustom Signals, and Decatur ever did, were going to, or were planning to manufacture radar/laser detectors and countermeasures. . . nor was I aware that Whistler, Cobra, Beltronics, Escort, or Valentine made police radar/laser equipment.

[the_boss]

by the way, the radar work with the biggest object in movement, so if a semi is speeding next to you, he's the one the radar will detect. and for a radar detector : http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Search.aspx?language=en-CA&keywords=radar+detector&pagenum=0

[.Kevin.]

^Genius. Thanks man

[MUSKOKA800]

Check for the legality in BC. Both detectors and jammers are illegal in Ontario.
If can't find them in BC they're likely banned there too.

In Ontario the cops issue your ticket then take the detector, place it in front of one of your tires and order you to drive over it. They also have radar detector detectors so they can apprehend those using.

[WeeYari]

Legal in BC. Also legal in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

[Altitude]

www.radartest.com

[why?]

Check for the legality in BC. Both detectors and jammers are illegal in Ontario.
If can't find them in BC they're likely banned there too.

In Ontario the cops issue your ticket then take the detector, place it in front of one of your tires and order you to drive over it. They also have radar detector detectors so they can apprehend those using.

and the fact that they think this is ok is just absurd. Guess that is just one more reason to never step foot into canada.

[JumpmanYaris]

Check for the legality in BC. Both detectors and jammers are illegal in Ontario.
If can't find them in BC they're likely banned there too.

In Ontario the cops issue your ticket then take the detector, place it in front of one of your tires and order you to drive over it. They also have radar detector detectors so they can apprehend those using.

Riiiiigghhtt ill be damn if he thinks I am gonna run over it, he's gonna have to issue another ticket because that ain't happening

[Shinare]

If its illegal to possess, they can't let you take it with you. Same thing here in the USA on possession. Course, they take whatever it is and destroy it on their own time, they don't make you watch it happen, lol. Honestly, Canada is a pretty neat place. Sometimes I wish the US was a little more Canadian. :)

[.Kevin.]

I never heard of having it ran over maybe by a dickhead cop and your friend who told you this story did it because he was scared.

Anyways I'm sure it's legal here, Visions sells them lol

If I was ever told to run it over with my truck I would insist he puts his gun and taser under the wheel too.

[Yaristeve]

I don't know why, but in the USA there isn't a lot of legislation YET against laser jamming, but you should double check that. My friend uses laser blinders and has had no issues yet.

I believe the difference is that radar jammers emit radio waves which are under FCC jurisiction. Any device that emits radio waves needs FCC approval and since no jammers are certified by the FCC, they are illegal. Laser jammers emit light and there is no governing body for light emissions so it is safe for now.

[JumpmanYaris]

If I was ever told to run it over with my truck I would insist he puts his gun and taser under the wheel too.

Lol. me and you both
Or tell him as soon as I get from you what i paid for it I will gladly run it over

[djct_watt]

I believe the difference is that radar jammers emit radio waves which are under FCC jurisiction. Any device that emits radio waves needs FCC approval and since no jammers are certified by the FCC, they are illegal. Laser jammers emit light and there is no governing body for light emissions so it is safe for now.

You are correct. The FCC regulates radar/radio communications, and laser is regulated by the FDA. However, some states have passed specific legislation against laser jammers, claiming it "interferes with police equipment," which is a valid claim. However, some states are harsher than others. I believe in CA, it only carries a $100 penalty.

However, most laser jammers alert you when it is actively jamming, allowing you enough time to slow down and turn off the jammer, effectively letting them get you at a legal speed. Jamming all the way to the laser gun (JTG) is a bad idea. . . and it isn't all that unusual to be unable to get a speed reading immediately at long range.

[SimTronik]

I got a drunk test jammer next to my radar detector.
I love the risk i take to kill other drivers, cuz most of the time i think i'm an experimented driver.

:)

[djct_watt]

Not every speeder is driving recklessly. If your equipment is up to spec, you have a long straight road with little traffic, speeding is really not all that dangerous. Pushing 80MPH on Interstate 5 from S.F. to L.A. is hardly dangerous, but that 10MPH difference from the 70MPH limit can warrant a ticket. . . but you can cruise on by most cops with no problems; it's just when you run into that one cop on a bad day.

It's all in the driver, and 99% of speeders ARE reckless. . . it's all about NOT weaving in and out of cars, and KEEPING THE SPEED DIFFERENTIAL low. You should not be zooming past other cars 20MPH+ faster than they are going. . . it doesn't allow them enough time to see you coming.

When I speed, I always slow for other traffic, and try not to pass them at more than 10MPH speed difference.

Germany has effectively shown that via tight regulations and strict driver's license tests, their unregulated areas of the Autobahn have a LOWER death and accident rate than the US highway/interstate difference. Fact of the matter is that ANY speed is dangerous if the driver is incompetent. And unfortunately for the USA (having been born and raised there), 99% of drivers are EXTREMELY incompetent. Low speed limits help to reduce the mortality rates, since accidents are pretty much going to happen all the time. . .

[djct_watt]

There is no such thing as safe drunk driving. . . alcohol impairs judgement, motor control, and reaction times. That in itself makes the driver VERY dangerous.

[JumpmanYaris]

I got a drunk test jammer next to my radar detector.


oh wow they make that? :rolleyes:

I am a professional NASCAR driver:cool: so experience is what I got :biggrin:

[SimTronik]

Glad to see peoples with skills and judgment.

I've seen too much friends losing it on a heavy curve or bad weather. Killing themselves or other people. I don't mind you get kill by doing stupudity while driving, its just about "the others". You know your driving skills but you don't know the driving skills back and in front of you ;)

/End of off topic, cheers :)

[djct_watt]

Speeding around heaving curves and bad weather is plain stupid. . . I was talking about straight lines here and optimal conditions, which falls into when speeding actually can be beneficial. But yeah, the danger here isn't from speed, it's from stupidity. In bad weather and bad roads, even the speed limit can be dangerous. But I can't imagine dropping the speed limit down to 25MPH. . .

Believe it or not, vehicular accidents kill more people than AIDS, and dropping the speed limit to 25MPH would save hundreds of thousands of lives, adding to millions over time. But yeah. . . the route of the problem isn't the speed, it's the bad drivers who shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car in the first place. Speeding (in those cases) just makes it worse. But going in 15MPH over the speed limit in a straight line with no traffic and perfect weather for 400 miles is hardly dangerous.

What's worse is that there are these speed enforcement vigilantes that blockade the fast lane and the speed limit, and they are far more dangerous than anything else. All they do is make an already dangerous and aggressive driver become all that more dangerous by driving to weave and swerve around them, endagering other people, when all the should have done was let them pass and be on their way. . .

[SimTronik]

Respect :)

[Tamago]

my friend has a nice one he got for 100 it work jsut as well as a 400 dollar one i mean it does the same thing bassigg

LOL


Valentine 1 or go home.

[Tamago]

Glad to see peoples with skills and judgment.

I've seen too much friends losing it on a heavy curve or bad weather. Killing themselves or other people. I don't mind you get kill by doing stupudity while driving, its just about "the others". You know your driving skills but you don't know the driving skills back and in front of you ;)

/End of off topic, cheers :)


how many much friends have you seen losing it on a heavy curve? that sounds like a skill vs elements problem, completely unrelated to speed. i've lost control 10mph under the speed limit before.. in snow... . . ugh.. freakin quebecas

[SimTronik]

Its mostly frustration cuz my 2009 sedan was totaled by a driver who thought is was invincible while speeding across other cars in a snow storm. My intention is absolutely NOT to spam this topic, just an opinion, so this is my last words here friends. You're right quebec is freakin cool :) Cheers.

[Tamago]

Its mostly frustration cuz my 2009 sedan was totaled by a driver who thought is was invincible while speeding across other cars in a snow storm. My intention is absolutely NOT to spam this topic, just an opinion, so this is my last words here friends. You're right quebec is freakin cool :) Cheers.

so you think there wasn't a cellphone involved in this accident? and did you clock the speeder to prove that they were indeed speeding, and not actually distracted?

[why?]

I got a drunk test jammer next to my radar detector.
I love the risk i take to kill other drivers, cuz most of the time i think i'm an experimented driver.

:)

Glad to see peoples with skills and judgment.

I've seen too much friends losing it on a heavy curve or bad weather. Killing themselves or other people. I don't mind you get kill by doing stupudity while driving, its just about "the others". You know your driving skills but you don't know the driving skills back and in front of you ;)

/End of off topic, cheers :)

spoken like the usual arrogant, condescending canadian.

[djct_watt]

http://marcos.kirsch.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/south-park-blame-canada.jpg

[.Kevin.]

You guys are beyond lower than standard IQ.

[djct_watt]

^ sorry, it was a bad joke, made just as a joke. Nothing wrong with Canada. LOL.

The whole irony of the picture is that it's the Americans that do the needless finger pointing, which is an insult to American culture. . . but I guess the subtle irony of the joke got lost. . .

. . . and technically telling someone that they have a low IQ IS condescending. . . which reminds me of this internet meme,
http://www.moillusions.com/wp-content/uploads/2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxmptAPYR-s/R4PvTmiiX6I/AAAAAAAAB1g/_O4KQ3unexc/s400/rapist-search.jpg. . . but then this is getting REALLY off-topic now. I'll stop defending Canadians now, as I originally did in my first non-funny img link.

[.Kevin.]

What? Lol

Btw that 'photo' was never a meme.

[djct_watt]

That rapist search pic has been all over failblog and I've seen it on random forums about 6 times this year. Just do a google search and see how many sites are hosting the image. And an internet meme is any idea, link, or file spread over the internet. I don't see the people mailing this in the post. To be a meme doesn't have to be widespread. If you in particular have not heard of it, you could call it a bad meme. But you can't say something doesn't exist simply because you do not know about it.

. . . more condescending tone. . .

[.Kevin.]

Meme is like U LIEK MUDKIPS quotes sayings etc which also include photos. A funny picture linked all over isn't a meme.

Sorry, feel free to think so though I'm not gonn make this thread about a picture.

[djct_watt]

So condescending and wrong. . .
Internet meme is not yet in the dictionary, so here's a link:
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=Internet+meme&i=59911,00.asp
An image, video, story or joke that is voluntarily passed from one Internet user to another

If you want to keep debating me with invalid points, we can continue on PM.

[.Kevin.]

( y )

[JumpmanYaris]

Does anyone know how much these costs? and whereabouts you purchase one? I have a bad habit of speeding on open roads late at night and early morning and almost got nailed by the cops today lol

and howabouts do you go installing these?

This is what the topic is guys^^^^
and then lead to legal or not and then speeding and then what they do in Canada if they catch you with it and then how to joke on canadians and then about the meme thing.

[djct_watt]

Sorry, I just hate it when people correct me incorrectly. . . I promise to stay on topic.

Installation is a breeze. Suction cups to the glass, and a power cord dangles down which you plug into a cigarette lighter. You can feed the cord through the dash, depending on length and brand. This is the easiest way.

Even better yet, hardwire the detector. All the good detectors (Vector, Passport, and Valentine) use a telephone plug wire as the connector. If you don't want to splice the OEM cord, you can buy an RJ11 head/wire and wire it up to an ignition switched 12+ and ground. Or you can also be ghetto fabulous and cut the existing chord and wire it up. I HIGHLY suggest you add a fuse, but that's up to you if you're already wiring it to a fused circuit. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just have a radio shop do it for you.

I also hate the springy rattle-y sound of the RD flopping around over bumps, so I used 3M double sided tape to affix the RD to the glass. No more flop. . .

But be aware that these things are not foolproof. Many police officers, especially in the city, leave their radar units off. CHP seem to always leave them on and I used to get advance notice up to 5 miles ahead of the officer. . . worst case scenario I'd get a good 30 seconds. More and more officers are using laser, and for that detection is near useless. I highly suggest you get a higher end unit with switchable bands, and find out what particular equipment is issued to your local/state/territory???? municipalities. You can turn off the radar bands that are not used.

I can say that I almost never got a false alert. CHP uses kA band, and I had all other bands switched off. Some local police still use the outdated K bands, but I never sped in the city (too dangerous). And even so, K band radar is fairly archaic and uncommon. . . and unless you're driving through Somalia, you will NEVER encounter a REAL X band radar gun. Also kU is not in use the USA (AFAIK, but I moved out about a year ago). Leave those frequencies off! What will ruin you (with a cheap POS RD) isn't just bad range, but the fact that it will beep at everything. And after awhile, you get used to it's constant noise. Unfortunately, the one time you encounter a real speed trap, you will be busy either trying to confirm if it's a real signal (looking for the cop) or you won't even notice it. Trust me, when mine went off, I ALWAYS took it as a real threat, and could visually confirm it in almost every scenario.

Having said that, be safe and don't drive like an idiot. 99% of speeding is useless and ends up just wasting gas and gets you there in the same amount of time. Do it right, and you can cut hours off a long drive. And make sure your car is prepped right; tires, brakes, engine, safety equipment all in working order.

[.Kevin.]

Thinking of getting a 15 band Cobra with a compass 360 degree detection?

[Midnight Drifter]

I keep hearing all this talk about "instant on laser" being what cops are going to and it effectively nullifies any kind of pre-detection since the laser is pointed at the car and is only fired at the car when it can read the speed accurately so basically you've just purchased a fancy box that will let you know when a cop is seeing how fast you are going. (and let you know when you are passing by any grocery stores)

Or is that just PR put out by the man so that we don't even try anymore?

A few things you should be aware of.

For one, laser units use lights - that's why they're called lasers. A laser beam is a direct beam of light. In order to utilize it properly, a certain criteria of conditions must be met:

1: Clear weather - mist/rain can throw off its reading
2: No obstructions between you and your target - clear path of travel the whole way
3: Window must be rolled down
4: Your target must have a reflective surface that can be aimed at. (Go ahead, take the front plate off. $59 for NFP beats a speeding ticket!)
5: There must be no other targets near your target, otherwise a lock will be difficult

The truth of the matter is, odds are greater than not that most "laser" units you'll encounter will be by an extremely bored State Trooper parked perpendicular to the highway with his car in clear view, because that's the ONLY way he can get a clear reading of your car.

However, to all central NJ motorists, I will point out one regularly-staged laser trap. Southbound on Interstate 1 right by the US-130/NJ-171 overpass - WATCH OUT! North Brunswick Police LOVE to hang out there because that downhill straightaway is right after a hillcrest, and those guys ONLY USE LASER.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=sKi&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=nj-171&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

As you can see, the officer has a wonderfully clear view and easy sniping on a low-traffic day, and with the glare of the morning sun doing a wonderful job of hiding his unmarked black Dodge Charger [occasionally it will be one of their marked Charger/Crown Victorias and very RARELY it will be one of their 2 Expeditions] underneath the bridge, and a wide shoulder making for an easy turnaround, this cash cow of the N.B.P.D. has been milking copiously for the department since I first took notice in mid-2008. That's one place you DON'T EVER want to speed - radar unit or not. I don't usually see a night shift (12-6) lookout, but morning-evening camp-outs are very popular because they know how easy the money is there.

Just sayin'.

[djct_watt]

You can pick up laser scatter, but it's HIGHLY unlikely, and any reports of it are the extreme minority. A laser beam does get larger over distance, and it gets there at light speed (of course). And at a 1 mile distance, the beam is pretty friggin big. But you are 100% correct, to use laser, the officer MUST be stationary and set up at a proper angle with good visibility. Many times, they require multiple officers to work the "trap," with one perched on an overpass and several chase vehicles below. However, in money hungry and quota enforcing states like CA, they are becoming very common. Although guns are expensive, the tickets are VERY hard to fight, and detection is nill to zip.

But honestly, from a law enforcement standpoint, radar is far more effective and practical for daily use. Not many people carry detectors, and most who do carry Cobra or Whistler junk which have EXTREMELY limited range. Many of my friends whom are officers pull over these guys ALL the time, bewildered by why their detectors failed them. Heck I've owned each and every single brand at one point or another, and can confirm that. If the box advertises radar reception of radar bands that haven't been used for almost three decades, you should know it's not going to very good.

[djct_watt]

Oh yeah, and another VERY effective countermeasure is to know how to read truck drivers and their signals (they flash their lights to communicate), ie when it's clear to pass or merger over, cops ahead, etc, and 99.999% of freight drivers know and use the signals.

Also carry a CB radio. You'll get code for traps all the time. These guys are professionals. . . and are royally (*@#(*#@$ if they get tickets.