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Laser Jammers vs Radar Detectors

Ergo, Laser detctors are very good at telling you that you just got nabbed, but provide no warning that one is in use and that you should slow down.

Or, if you are following another vechicle who gets lasered, you may pick up residual from the laser.
 
I've been driving with a Class A commercial license for so long and used to maintaining a 55-60 mph speed that it's almost impossible for me to drive any faster.

The uphsot being I don't worry about radar traps. Of course I also have an almost overwhelming tendency to pull into scales... .. .
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Or, if you are following another vechicle who gets lasered, you may pick up residual from the laser.

I drive a lot and that's only happened to me once in the 3 or 4 years the state police have been using it in Massachusetts.
 
Radar works by sending a radio signal out and waiting on the signal to bounce back to the patrol car. The Radar unit calculates the amount of time it takes for the signal to return, adjusts for the speed of the patrol car (If it is moving) and provides the operator with the speed of the target vehicle. The tough part here here is that it returns the signal from the largest target. A motorcycle passing a Semi is hard for the unit to detect, because the signal is returning from the semi. The reason Radar detectors are effective is because not all of the RF (Radio Frequency) emitted from the unit is returned. Some of it keeps on wandering out there for 2-3 miles, past the effective range of the radar unit. When your Radar detector goes off, it is indicating that it is receiving a radio signal within the appropriate frequency range for a Law Enforcement Radar unit. There are some other things in this frequency range as well (automatic door oopeners on grocery stores, etc...) which will also give an indication. So, in summary a quality Radar detector will keep you out of trouble most of the time. If you are the lone vehicle on the road and the Officer leaves the emitter turned off until he see's you, your detector will go off but it is too late.
As for Laser, Laser is very target specific and line of sight. It must be operated from a stationary position. The Officer places the target vehicle in the crosshairs (yes, it has a scope) and pulls the trigger. The unit immediately returns the speed and distance to the target vehicle. Ergo, Laser detctors are very good at telling you that you just got nabbed, but provide no warning that one is in use and that you should slow down.

Hope this helps.

I have heard/read that most radar guns are instant on these days. Like the laser, by the time the detector goes off, the cops got you--if in fact it was you he/she was going after. I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. Also, Mythbusters did a show on beating the radar gun, and nothing worked--if my memory serves me right.
 
I have heard/read that most radar guns are instant on these days.

There are still plenty of the old style radar systems out there. Instant on isn't usually a threat if there's traffic. You get intermittent alerts. My Escort has a voice that says "pop alert" when there is a sudden radar signal.
 
From what I've found, your best defense still, is following a fast "front door", about a quarter to half mile behind. (someone running in front of you) If they get shot, you will pick it up.

Now, the falacy to this is -if you are the last in line, you are likely the first to get stopped too! :)

Ken
 
I have heard/read that most radar guns are instant on these days. Like the laser, by the time the detector goes off, the cops got you--if in fact it was you he/she was going after. I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. Also, Mythbusters did a show on beating the radar gun, and nothing worked--if my memory serves me right.

You're correct, Jeff.

While I fully understand that not a single person who trusts a radar detector is ever going to change their mind (human nature!), here's what's going on in the world of speed enforcement.

Whether or not you get a speeding ticket is totally at the mercy of the uniform behind the equipment. Neither your detector nor your anatomy can react faster than the speed of light, so if utilized properly (visual target acquisition first - then emit signal), you're doomed - every time - no exceptions.

The only reason people put faith in detectors is because most officers, just like I did for three decades on the job, frequently allow our radar signals to 'paint a roadway' when we're busy doing other things, such as completing a complex accident diagram, dictating a report, conducting business on our laptop, etc. We call it "grazing" (leaving the radar active, while busy with other tasks inside the car). Your detector goes off - you slow down - you pass the marked squad without being pursued - you think you outsmarted the LEO.

Truth be told, 99.99% of drivers who 'think' that piece of plastic-enclosed circuitry saved their butts, simply passed thru a 'grazing zone,' where the officer never intended to pursue you in the first place unless ridicously reckless.

Maybe not what you wanted to hear, but that's how most of us work traffic. Nothing personal - they just don't save your butt - that decision was made before it ever started beeping, flashing, talking to you....whatever.

Now - back to the world of "No one's going to tell me my V1 or Whistler or Hyper Megatron Deluxe doesn't work - I KNOW it's saved me a fistful of tickets!"

Sure - whatever you say.

Just consider that going not quite so fast = you'll still get where you're going, and burn less gas doing it. :wave
 
Interesting Greenwald, and thanks for your post! This is what I've rather suspected for quite some time.

Could you be kind enough to refute with reasoning my previous point about following another "speeder" and picking up the residual of him being zapped, either with laser or instant-on?

I'm not trying to be arguementative, I'm honestly interested in learning. This is what is being told on many sites regarding radar detection, and I'd be interested in hearing your take on their arguement.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Interesting Greenwald, and thanks for your post! This is what I've rather suspected for quite some time.

Could you be kind enough to refute with reasoning my previous point about following another "speeder" and picking up the residual of him being zapped, either with laser or instant-on?

I'm not trying to be arguementative, I'm honestly interested in learning. This is what is being told on many sites regarding radar detection, and I'd be interested in hearing your take on their arguement.

Thanks,
Ken

Didn't find anything argumentative about genuine curiosity - NP.

When I visualize a motorist I believe, based on my training (had to attain 90% or better in accurate visual speed estimation to get certified), is speeding, I "go active" with my pre-aimed radar unit and immediately receive a strong return (bounced signal) from it. A sensitive radar detector in a vehicle following that motorist will most likely register my beam spread as well (depending on range to target), though you were not the primary interest. Nothing wrong with that - first guy gets detained, and you slow down. A win, win for safety enforcement.

Laser on the other hand is a bit more precise. If the beam is what we call a "high profile hit" (square on target), your 'detector' will not register my presence - but then again, you wern't the target in the first place, so relax.

And "riddle me this, Batman" - many jurisdictions (mine included) allow LEO's to cite you strictly based on a visual estimate of your speed, as the afore mentioned training qualifies us as an 'expert witness.' Which detector works best for that technique?!
 
Good one! You owe me a keyboard! lol

Thanks for the response. That is kind of what I had deduced about laser. Opon reading about "techniques" for beating radar, I have kind of taken the stance of believing about half of what is written, after all they are usually trying to sell detectors .

I've a good friend who is a circuit judge, and lawyer who helped me to get one reduced not long ago. (he put it that the new charge was a loose nut behind the wheel) His advice was "just don't speed", which is the best advice for anyone. Especially at our age. As we get older, I think the insurence companies are just looking for a way to cancel us.

Thanks again Greenwald!
 
The thing is, Kevin, a good radar receiver has an excellent chance of "hearing" your radar signal long before you have visual contact, over the hill or around the bend, allowing the driver/rider to check their speed and slow down if they have to. You do rely on visual input as well as radar input to make your decision about the speed of specific vehicles. I know that.

We've gone around on this before. I was an electronic countermeasures tech with military radar in what feels like a thousand years ago and it really hasn't changed much since WWII. There is no mystery about it. LIDAR is much more precise and the frequency shifters that exist to "defeat" it are optimistic about having ideal conditions at best. I wouldn't spend a nickel on them, but I've never been tagged when using a radar receiver in 40 years. Instant on is a challenge with light traffic, but I'm legal almost all the time anyways -- and when I'm not, the radar receiver is a welcome reminder.

I will say that in the last few years, traffic law enforcement is more attuned to their radio footprint and how to minimize it and they are doing so, but that said, it is still cost effective to be aware that traffic radar is in use. I have a high profile doing 50k miles a year, and only get in trouble when I'm not paying attention or don't have the radar receiver on.
 
The thing is, Kevin, a good radar receiver has an excellent chance of "hearing" your radar signal long before you have visual contact, over the hill or around the bend, allowing the driver/rider to check their speed and slow down if they have to. You do rely on visual input as well as radar input to make your decision about the speed of specific vehicles. I know that.

We've gone around on this before. I was an electronic countermeasures tech with military radar in what feels like a thousand years ago and it really hasn't changed much since WWII. There is no mystery about it. LIDAR is much more precise and the frequency shifters that exist to "defeat" it are optimistic about having ideal conditions at best. I wouldn't spend a nickel on them, but I've never been tagged when using a radar receiver in 40 years. Instant on is a challenge with light traffic, but I'm legal almost all the time anyways -- and when I'm not, the radar receiver is a welcome reminder.

I will say that in the last few years, traffic law enforcement is more attuned to their radio footprint and how to minimize it and they are doing so, but that said, it is still cost effective to be aware that traffic radar is in use. I have a high profile doing 50k miles a year, and only get in trouble when I'm not paying attention or don't have the radar receiver on.

Tom - glad to hear you've had 40 years of avoiding "performance awards," though I suspect it has more to do with your self-admission of "..but I'm legal almost all the time anyways..." than your radar receiver.

Some of the things you refer to are quite accurate: radar used by LEO's back in the 70's and 80's was almost 'primitive' compared to today's tools. Band width so wide you could practically construct a detector out of an cylinderical oatmeal box and some tin foil and know we were in the area, not to mention inadequate training and sloppy positioning tactics. Signals today are so narrow and short that it's essentially 'line-of-sight,' just like laser. Detecting us over hills and around corners? Doubt that. You can't detect the signal we're not broadcasting until you're already in our sights, so to speak - basically trying to dodge a bullet after the gun's been fired.

50k a year sounds like it's made you a pretty safe driver, so keep up your good record and be sure to make as many of those miles on two wheels as you can manage! :thumb
 
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Last citation I got was in 1982. I was not even guilty, just happened to be passed by another bike doing warp 9 on an Iowa interstate. The LEO got him and threw me in for good measure. I was speeding just before so it was probably deserved; he wrote me up for 66 in a 55. Since then I've had long chats with Troopers in CA, WY, KS and OH and was guilty as sin, but was not cited. In the last 17 years the worse I've had is an AK Trooper flashing his lights at me. I was speeding, but I assume he had more pressing business. All this without the aide of a detector. I think I'll save my money. 90% of my riding is now with Annie and we pretty much stick to the speed limits, and Kevin G. has lessened my confidence in the devices a great deal.
 
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I've had long chats with Troopers in CA, KS and OH and was guilty as sin, but was not cited.

You had long chats because you actually pulled over instead of whacking the throttle and making a run for the border. Not saying it will always work in your favor, but not making the LEO chase you and by riding something that would barely be allowed on a race track let alone the street (i.e. mufflers, visible license plate, actually having a motorcycle endorsement, etc.) go a long way towards just having a chat and getting that fat speeding ticket. YMMV of course.
 
The idea of owning a device designed to thwart the law sort of makes me feel like a "professional speeder" as opposed to the rider who occasionally opens it up on a lonely straightaway. Secondly, the absence of such a device does serve to slow me down. Thirdly, I imagine the LEO who stops me for speeding might be swayed by my safety gear and friendly demeanor as long as I don't have a "professional speeding device" and therefore possibly warn me instead of cite me. Finally, I haven't earned a speeding ticket in many years so I have no idea of the costs. How many tickets would I have to pay to make a radar detector cost effective?
 
Just consider that going not quite so fast = you'll still get where you're going, and burn less gas doing it.

Add a "bad boy" factor of 1.5 to any points penalties and take away your ability to work it off with an on-line "driver school" (as they do with Class A CDL holders in California (regardless of the vehicle being driven at the time of citation) and driving the at or very near the limit is a no-brainer.

Finally, I haven't earned a speeding ticket in many years so I have no idea of the costs.

In California...

VC 22349 Unsafe speed, 1 to 15 miles over the limit.b - $214
VC 22350 Unsafe speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit. - $328
VC 16028(A) Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance). - $796
VC 22507(A) Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense. $976 (second offense; doubled)
 
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