Hi Everybody.... I'm thinking about getting a Radar Detector. I'm all clear about how they work and some of the models. I'm also aware that unlike some other states, WA actually allows drivers to legally use them (correct me if I'm wrong). My questions is. I've been pulled over a few times over the last few years and 90% of the time I get a warning and thats that. However, if they notice a RD on the dash, they might suddenly change their opinion of me being a sensible, mature driver and view the RD as a "hoon" device....instant ticket :angry: Has anyone got any advice, experiences with police reactions to RD's. And also, are they easy to yank off the window. I mean...if a cops starts flashing his lights, do I have time to yank it off the window and chuck it in the glove box or something? Thanks in advance Paulo
I've had 5 in the last 6 years! Cops generally don't give you hastles about them. If a cop is set out to do you over, he'll find something - regardless if you're 'giving him a reason' by having a detector. A couple of them have mentioned that they could do me for obstruction of vision (normally when going through a booze bus). I normally just turn it off in case it goes spastic while I'm talking to them. I've only ever ripped mine down twice - and yes its easy to do! A few cops have also mentioned to me that they don't work (I can honestly and first hand disagree).
My RD Experience... I bought a radar detector in 1999 after I got 2 speeding tickets (10kph over). This was when I'd just bought the Zed. Since then it's saved me many times. Don't expect it to be much help if you're really speeding. They do have their limits. I've only had one negative experience with the police. I got pulled over but had taken it down before I stopped. The guy gave me a bogus speeding ticket and was about to get into his car when he noticed the suction cups on the window (the radar detector was in the glove box). He got all excited, ran to his car, got a camera, took photos of the suction cups and then gave me a $50 fine for obstruction of vision! Overall, well worth the money in WA. It may sound like bullshit but having it actually makes me more concious of the speed limit. Cheers, Evan.
Thanks Guys Some interesting stories there. I mainly want one for those moments of mis-judgement. The ones where you think your on 60, but really your closer to 80 but because your tired or in andrews case, maybe getting stuck into a britney spears song, you lose your attention to the speed. Thanks Guys.
mine saved us twice on the york cruise.... worth the money in my opinion.... id never 100% count on it saving you.... but its VERY handy to have.... especially when britney is cranking...... ::Risk::
Yeah but I went speeding though 1 of them And it didn't go off.. Those damn Twin Turbos... to fast for the camera to react heheh
Worth the money? How much are they these days? Last time I checked a decent one that is likely to actually work is around $800. Considering I havent gotten a speeding ticket in 9 years then I cant say it'd be worth it. They are a good idea though, Im damn careful about my speed but there are always times when you just tune out for a second or have something on your mind and go over the limit enough to get done by a camera (down to 4km/hr over the limit now arent they?). A wakeup call that one is nearby is a good idea if cheap enough.
One of the best in the market at the moment are the "ESCORT 8500,BEL 995,BEL X65 (same ownership)and good value for money and very reliable for X,K,Ka Band. Cheers, Olivier.
but they only detect though dont they? not block the laser? i had a mate say he could get a decent laser detector/blocker that blocks the laser for approx 2 sec that was worth $2000... does that sound about right? because at 180kph 2 sec of braking could be the deference between having a licence and losing it for a long time... and dont they only detect if they are pointed at you? so by the time it detects the laser they would have your speed anyway?
My experience... Has saved me on several occasions from roadside cameras and mobile laser (strapped to the police car style) whilst in Perth. Also made me more aware of my speed during general driving. Was pulled over once about two years ago (RBT) and the cops were testing a new lazer (was huge - looked like a bazooka). Whilst stopped and I was breathing into the tube, they shot the laser all over the front of the car (from about 5m away) and the radar detector didn't pick it up until it was shot directly at the unit through the front windscreen. Copper then said "thought you wouldn't pick it up" and continued with the breath testing. Don't know whether these are still being (or were ever) used or whether or not the newer detector units have some method of picking them up. J.
Laser Blocker???? Love to see how this one works. Can i get more info on this one. Apart from changing the reflected angle coming from the object(aka stealth bomber) just being lased I dont see how the laser could be blocked. Firing a jammer laser seems possible but gee, you'd need some really good surveillance gear for that to detect that you were being lased, by which time its too late anyway. Laser is normally called a passive sensor cause its so bloody hard to detect. To jam/block it is even harder. Let me know what more you can find out for me mate. Very interested now.
Most don't work. Neltronics in WA (Australian distributor for Bel) did a test on laser jammers a few years back. They found that out of the 8 (from memory) they tested, only one worked - it also blanked out aircraft navigation which is a very dangerous device.
lol...that would be funny, you go for a strap down the highway and the blocker starts bipping and then a plane comes down across the highway... ahaha :wacko: and blatZ yea he said it blocks the laser.. i will find out more next time i see him because im interested too now..lol
All questions re Radar/Laser Detectors answered >>> Just CLICK HERE and have a good read For NSW/QLD it should be noted that a 'remote' hidden unit is fairly expensive, so too the penalties for 'discovery' if one fitted.
Geez guys. relax a bit. :LOL: I asked about RD's not buying technology to wage war. Laser jamming frequencies, stealth bomber technology....I just wanna drive around without the fear of capture...I mean being flashed. You guys crack me up. Paul
Buy a Good model BEL 2nd hand No matter how good the Detector though it will never save you with the mobile car mounted units 100% of the time. My mate took me for a country spin in an unmarket mobile radar unit once and they never just leave the unit on rather they will press it on from a distance and you have split seconds to react and even then its too late. What the detectors are good for and this occurred numerous times on my country trips for work, is when the cops do flick it on to read another car you will get a clear indication of him being out there (either in front or behind heading either with you of coming to you)and i have even picked up the radar from a cop car a couple of km's in front of me heading in the same direction, thinking it was a faulty signal i sped up and was closing on a white car in the distance when i worked out it was a cop checking each cars speed as they approached him.....good units those BEL's
If you are talkng about the jammer (laser blocker) or active radar I wouldn`t recommend to buy one,I know you could end up with big fine or even jail in America (not sure about Australia)and they are not reliable like the RD`s,just a waste of money and big troubles. The jammer send out an active radar signal that jams the police radar gun.After a while they can fall out of calibration and need to be recalibrated, If you are going to get a RD by one connected to the car(12v),not the wireless one (mobile) as they are less efficient and designed to work on batteries so even if you connect this one to the car it will not have the same efficiency as the traditional RD`s. Cheers, Olivier.:thumbsup:
