Laser jamming, since it does not involve the transmission of a radio jamming signal, is perfectly legal as far as the feds are concern but is illegal in some states. Still, most laser jamming really only buys you most time as the jammers have a more difficult time tricking the lidar unit at closer ranges. But it's better than relying on a radar/laser detector alone, which must be hit by the laser (too late, usually) or get a fairly concentrated reflection as the lidar beam hits something else close by.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Are radar detectors worth it?
- Thread starter tonycarguy
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Hey, I read about how certain states and local governments move their speed limit signs on this forum, and it happens here as well. I have a radar detector unit that when I exit from a 65 mph zone within less than a 1,000 feet it becomes a 45 mph zone, that my unit lights up for X-band the moment my vehicle gets to that sign. Then as I round a curve where there is an overpass, it goes off again. The local government is monitoring that area for speeders and for more revenue. I am sure the Lidar units, Ka, Ku units will be there soon too if there is enough revenue for the local, and county governments.
BrianWC, think as you wish, however, I have news for you, Ku is now here in certain localities, they are running the tests right now in the USA, before the rollout nationwide.
Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Let's bring this to a summary. To answer the question, YES, they are worth the expense, particularly if you know how to use them. They're not a magic, "Romulan Cloaking Device." But if you observe the warnings, and apply them in the context of your driving conditions, these devices are worth their weight in gold. My V1 has saved me untold thousands of dollars in citations ungiven, insurance premiums unjacked, etc. I love mine, and I'd buy another today if someone stole mine.
I totally agree. I have 2 radar detectors and I use them almost all the time im out on the road. It does not mean I am driving at a high rate of speed, I use them just to see where the speed traps are, to see what sneaky techniques they are using to catch speeders. Sometimes I drive at the limit with one of my detectors on, for monitoring purposes.
Let's bring this to a summary. To answer the question, YES, they are worth the expense, particularly if you know how to use them. They're not a magic, "Romulan Cloaking Device." But if you observe the warnings, and apply them in the context of your driving conditions, these devices are worth their weight in gold. My V1 has saved me untold thousands of dollars in citations ungiven, insurance premiums unjacked, etc. I love mine, and I'd buy another today if someone stole mine.
I totally agree. I have 2 radar detectors and I use them almost all the time im out on the road. It does not mean I am driving at a high rate of speed, I use them just to see where the speed traps are, to see what sneaky techniques they are using to catch speeders. Sometimes I drive at the limit with one of my detectors on, for monitoring purposes.
Originally Posted By: Mustang2008Z
BrianWC, think as you wish, however, I have news for you, Ku is now here in certain localities, they are running the tests right now in the USA, before the rollout nationwide.
And I have news for you. The fear of Ku was drummed up by detector companies to make you go out and buy another. Yes, the FCC allocated the frequency but it has never been used. Ku is very impractical to operate and has no advantage over Ka whatsoever. If it were to be rolled out and the detector companies made it available on 100% of their product line, cops would be stuck with a unit that's about as easy to detect as X band radar. It is not in active service by any department in the US and no US traffic radar manufacturer makes a Ku band unit. This supposed "rollout of Ku" has been going on for at least 7 years now. And, really, there's no need. Instant-on Ka is so hard to detect, it's a [censored] depending on the violator's speed and the axis of the radar.
BrianWC, think as you wish, however, I have news for you, Ku is now here in certain localities, they are running the tests right now in the USA, before the rollout nationwide.
And I have news for you. The fear of Ku was drummed up by detector companies to make you go out and buy another. Yes, the FCC allocated the frequency but it has never been used. Ku is very impractical to operate and has no advantage over Ka whatsoever. If it were to be rolled out and the detector companies made it available on 100% of their product line, cops would be stuck with a unit that's about as easy to detect as X band radar. It is not in active service by any department in the US and no US traffic radar manufacturer makes a Ku band unit. This supposed "rollout of Ku" has been going on for at least 7 years now. And, really, there's no need. Instant-on Ka is so hard to detect, it's a [censored] depending on the violator's speed and the axis of the radar.
Craig Peterson can be of questionable integrity sometimes, but he's spot on in this article:
http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100543
http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100543
Take a ride in Austin, Texas, between Ben White Blvd and Riverside going north/south on IH-35, and heading north/south on 183 around Mopac and Braker Lane. The police use Ku and have laser units, with motorcycle cops handy to give tickets to motorists that are "speeding." The police, also, use Ka radar as well. You can look up the "speed traps" using the website www.speedtrap.org Austin, Travis and Williamson County have lots of places on that website. After purchasing several radar detectors from various manufacturers, I was amazed at the level of radar units, visible, and not visible, on the road in Austin.
No wonder they get such a steady stream of revenue. "Safety" is what all the local/county/state governments say, what a joke!.....In actuality, it is just a revenue producer for the various governments.
No wonder they get such a steady stream of revenue. "Safety" is what all the local/county/state governments say, what a joke!.....In actuality, it is just a revenue producer for the various governments.
Again, Ku is not in the US. No radar manufacturer makes a Ku unit in the US. Some detectors, when Ku is not disabled, will false Ku on a weak K or Ka signal. This has led to some unknowing drivers' pronouncements that "Ku is here!" K and Ka can be confused in the same fashion on some detectors. Whistler is known for this. I urge you to go check out radardector.net forums and read up on what some pretty knowledgeable folks, including detector industry types have to say.
I tend to think speed enforcement is just the easiest thing for state police to do that is vaguely safety-related. I don't think anyone has any illusions that it is improving traffic safety by leaps and bounds, but I also don't automatically assume it is purely for revenue.
Getting OT, but does anyone know of any studies on the effect of speed enforcement on accident or fatality rates?
Getting OT, but does anyone know of any studies on the effect of speed enforcement on accident or fatality rates?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Similar threads
- Replies
- 61
- Views
- 2K
- Replies
- 23
- Views
- 1K
- Replies
- 87
- Views
- 3K
- Replies
- 9
- Views
- 246
- Replies
- 40
- Views
- 2K