Radar/Laser Detection

[TOMMY GUN]

This subject could potentially be controversial.

This information is for just that, information.

Trying to give some information out so as one would have some informed information as a guide line to radar detectors and laser jammers.

For starters a little info what is typically used.

Every state as well as every city/locality use different equipment. What I have gathered seems to be that 'most' places use fixed/mounted radar detection and handheld gun radar detection. As well as handheld laser detection.



Radar jamming is illegal in the US. Laser jamming is illegal in some states and localities.

Here is a good link that will also show you specific laws per state...

USA Laser Jammer Laws - Guys of LIDAR


Your typical radar detectors today can give you a fair amount of warning far before you get to the source .*

* Depending on if the source is constant. Some authorities switch the radar on/off so they can get closer to vehicles before tagging them, and in most cases even w/ a detector it will be too late to react.



Laser detection is a different story. By the time your radar/laser detector picks up laser (if it is aimed at you) it is too late. This is where laser jamming comes into play. If you were using a laser jammer it would jam the signal for enough seconds for you to slow down and then switch off the jammer so that the authority could get a lock on you at rated speed.

When laser is shot at you the authority is usually trying to get a fix on a reflective surface on your car. What an officer usually tries to hit are your headlights, tail lights or license plates. Cars such as silver metallics are also more susceptible to reflect laser.

Some of the laser guns used at the moment are Generation III laser guns which have been in operation since the early part of this century. The Stalker LZ1, Laser Technologies LTI Ultralyte 200LRB, Laser Atlanta R/S models have demonstrated that they are very tough to beat, the Stalker laser perhaps being the most difficult to jam.

Laser Atlanta has demonstrated that when their gun is operated in stealth mode, most jammers are fooled and the officer is able to get a reading despite their use. Most radar detectors will also remain silent when confronted w/ stealth mode police laser.

All* radar/laser detective pick up signals in front of you (where the detector is pointing), but are capable of receiving signals from behind as they pass you and bounce off stuff and return to you.

* One exception to this is the Valentine1 which has a limited capability to receive from the rear.

That is a generalization of how it works.

RADAR DETECTORS

In radar detectors you have basically 2 types. Stand alone (windshield mounted) and Remote (built into vehicle).

At the moment the top rated stand alone radar detectors are the Beltronics STI and the Escort Passport 9500i. (with the Valentine1 close behind and highly recommended by many)





Both these detector are highly rated at picking up all bands of radar (and laser, even though to late to react). The Escort even has a GPS to keep track of hot spots or false alarms. Both also can not be detected by radar detector detectors (RDD).

Stand alone are somewhat limited in that they are 'inside' the vehicle and have to travel through elements such as glass.

Remote detectors usually have a pick up head mounted in the grill and/or license plate frame. It is also highly recommended not to 'hide' the sensor heads behind any grill plastic even if clear as it will greatly reduce it efficiency. The heads should have 10 degrees of clear space in front of them all around.

Two of the top rated are the Beltronics STI-R and the Escort/Passport 9500ci.(the ci stands for custom installed). Again undetectable by radar detector detectors (RDD). The STI-R is a detector only, where as the 9500ci is a detector and jammer.





LASER JAMMERS/SHIFTERS

Laser jammer/shifter can either be stand alone systems or part of another system (such as the 9500ci).

Laser jammers usually have an on/off switch so the user can switch to receive mode only which allows the authority to pick up the vehicle.

Some of the best jammers are Blinder M25, Blinder M45, Laser Interceptors(LI), Escort ZR4's (which is in the 9500ci kit), and passive jammers (explained later).



There is much debate over which type of jammer is more efficient.

The latest technology in Laser guns is called the Truspeed Gun. It is not known if these guns are currently being used in the US or how many, but many agree it is the up and coming thing.

At the moment the Laser Interceptors(LI) do the best job against this new gun and the older type guns, but of course it comes at a price. The Blinders and ZR4's do a very good job at jamming this gun also, just not quite as well as the LI.


PASSIVE JAMMERS

Not sure how exactly to explain what passive jammers are other than explaining the products.

I know of 2 products in this category that many people swear by and the product testing proves to show the product works very well.

First is called Veil. Veil is a coating that is applied to headlights/ tail lights and license plates. The Veil can be applied one coat or many coats. Some swear the more coats the better. The only draw back I have seen is that the Veil 'dulls' the surface it is applied on. That is what it is supposed to do. Remember the laser is looking for a reflective surface. The Veil also has a very slight 'tint' to it. So the more coats the more 'tinted'.



The second type is called Laser Shield. It is basically a clear shield that goes over your plate and helps to block laser and/or red light camera shots. These type plates are also illegal in many areas.

One of the best places to find these products is here...

http://countermeasuresdirect.com/test.html


And forums to find further info...

Speed Trap Hunter Forum: Best Radar Detector, Laser Jammer, Laser Detector, Speeding Ticket, Red Light Camera, Speed Camera Forum


Radar Detector Jammer Forum


PoliceWorld.net Forums - Powered by vBulletin


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[KR]

Good info, thanks!

[Johnny Dangerously]

This is a lot of good info TG. The one thing that owners need to keep in mind is their driving style & conditions that you are driving in.


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[Johnny Dangerously]

Things to remember:

Don't stand out. Avoid:
Weaving in & out of traffic
Moving faster than traffic
Turn signals at night

Rabbits are your friends
If possible, have someone moving at your speed, but in front of you

Darker colors are less reflective
This only applies to laser (lidar), but darker colors stand out less

Remove flat surfaces from the front of your car
If you can, remove the license plate. It is a great reflector for radar & laser (lidar)
The radiator is a great reflector & so is your head, but there's not much we can do about them

Weather will affect radar laser (lidar)
Rain/fog/snow

The best advice is to know your environment. While I use a Valentine 1, the Bel & Escort concealed units will disrupt laser (lidar) & are not visible to the police. If you get pulled over for speeding & he sees that you have a radar detector, you will probably not be able to get out of the ticket no matter how hard you try.

Most cops are looking for the people who are being idiots, but if they are board, they will go after the ones speeding at the higher end of the band (10 over).


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[TOMMY GUN]

Added some pics.


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[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously

Things to remember:

Don't stand out. Avoid:
Weaving in & out of traffic
Moving faster than traffic
Turn signals at night

Rabbits are your friends
If possible, have someone moving at your speed, but in front of you

Darker colors are less reflective
This only applies to laser (lidar), but darker colors stand out less

Remove flat surfaces from the front of your car
If you can, remove the license plate. It is a great reflector for radar & laser (lidar)
The radiator is a great reflector & so is your head, but there's not much we can do about them

Weather will affect radar laser (lidar)
Rain/fog/snow

The best advice is to know your environment. While I use a Valentine 1, the Bel & Escort concealed units will disrupt laser (lidar) & are not visible to the police. If you get pulled over for speeding & he sees that you have a radar detector, you will probably not be able to get out of the ticket no matter how hard you try.

Most cops are looking for the people who are being idiots, but if they are board, they will go after the ones speeding at the higher end of the band (10 over).


`

Good info, you DEFINITELY need to be smart about how you use a detector.

I try to use mine 'mainly' as a reminder. I have it set to pick up everything. When it goes off it reminds you to check your speed. Just need to remember not to get use to it going off and do nothing.

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[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Good info, you DEFINITELY need to be smart about how you use a detector.

I try to use mine 'mainly' as a reminder. I have it set to pick up everything. When it goes off it reminds you to check your speed. Just need to remember not to get use to it going off and do nothing.

.

I agree. Also, the worst thing to do is to hit your brakes, because unless you have a Valentine 1, the cops will key on brake lights after they get a speed reading. The first thing you should do, is let off the gas & gently downshift if necessary. Just pulling it out of gear is an option too if conditions permit.



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[mastersmech1]

Don't you know that radar detectors are illegal in the State of Virginia?...



By the way, I use the Escort 9500ix...

[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by mastersmech1

Don't you know that radar detectors are illegal in the State of Virginia?...



By the way, I use the Escort 9500ix...

But they're not in the other 49 states.


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[mastersmech1]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously

But they're not in the other 49 states.


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They are illegal in more than just VA aren't they?

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously

But they're not in the other 49 states.


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They're illegal in Washington, DC also.



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[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by mastersmech1

They are illegal in more than just VA aren't they?

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

They're illegal in Washington, DC also.

.

And that's it.



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[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by mastersmech1

They are illegal in more than just VA aren't they?

There is a link in the beginning of my post that shows the different laws per state.

DETECTORS are illegal in Va. and Wash DC only.

Jammers are different.

[mastersmech1]

I have been known to use mine, but lets get real. Why the he!! would it not be illegal everywhere? It's only purpose is to assist one in breaking the law...

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by mastersmech1

I have been known to use mine, but lets get real. Why the he!! would it not be illegal everywhere? It's only purpose is to assist one in breaking the law...

I see it more as we should be allowed to pick up any airborn signal we wish to.

Except Military of course, that should be protected.


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[mastersmech1]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I see it more as we should be allowed to pick up any airborn signal we wish to.

Except Military of course, that should be protected.


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You should be a lawyer...or a Democrat...

[Joe G]

Thank you for the very easy to read and understand post TG.

I'm proud of you.

















You sure Co pilot didn't write it?

Oops... couldn't be her. Not enough smilies plastered all over.












But it was a very good post - thanks again!


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[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by mastersmech1

You should be a lawyer...or a Democrat...

You should byte me.



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[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Thank you for the very easy to read and understand post TG.

I'm proud of you.






You sure Co pilot didn't write it?

Oops... couldn't be her. Not enough smilies plastered all over.









But it was a very good post - thanks again!


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Thanks...I think?



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[Birdman]

Nice TG . Did you come to any conclusions about which laser jammer to get to beat the Stalker ?