Regarding laser jammers ... if they do what I've read, which is to either:

- Show some really low speed, like 20mph, or
- Just show gibberish on the laser gun's display,

doesn't the officer automatically know he's been jammed?

I was under the impression that "active" countermeasures like jammers (which actually emit a signal to confuse the gun) are illegal in all states. Just receiving a signal (like radar/laser detectors do) is perfectly legal, except in a couple of states (VA, D.C.) who are basically usurping our rights by banning them.

So aren't you inviting the cop to stop you and confiscate your laser or radar jammer (and ticket you) any time you use it?

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Radar jammers are illegal in all states by federal law (FCC) since they are governed as a radio emmiter. Laser "blockers" are optical devices and as such are governed by the FDA, thus, there are no regulations regardings their use. The blocker is simply a multi LED IR laser device (like many pointers put together). They are not illegal in any state. They completely befuddle laser guns by emmiting random IR flashes(invisible just like the laser) when they detect laser. The laser gun shows lines instead of numbers as if the instrument had malfunctioned. Since you are alerted when all this good stuff is happening you have plenty of time to slow down before they can "radar" you.
Even if the cop realizes you are actively blocking him, which you are, they have no legal recourse to stop you. The escort blocker uses 2 in the front stradling the license plate and one in the back in the license plate holder, they are essentially invisible.
Of course, if you drive buy at 100MPH you'll still get stopped even if they don't know your speed. This already happened to me when driving at 150 in my TL, he never knew exactly how fast as was going so he gave me a ticket for speeding NOS (more than 99MPH) all he could say was that he knew I was going fast because for a minute his crusier was doing 130 and he wasn't catching up to me . He never used radar or even turned on his lights but when I was slowing down from my little top speed "test" and saw a car approaching at 100mph I knew it was a cop DUH ! Note this was in and empty country highway with not a car in sight for miles.

 

Note that the passport has very similar performance to the 8500 but costs quite a bit more. If you are going to use it wired just buy an 8500. The passport is an excellent detector but it eats batteries like there is no tommorow. I bought one for rental car use.

 

Some states do restrict laser blockers (new laws).

The use of laser jammers is prohibited and/or restricted in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Utah

Copied from the bel site! Guess its a testament to their effectiveness!

 

Since when have laser jammers been banned in Il. I do not believe that's true.

 

Here's a link to an informational site regarding radar detectors and scanners and such.

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/index.html

 

Gov. Blago signed it last year.
The police have the right to rip it right out of the car if they find it.
FYI, this governor is about as bad as your worst nightmare.
I hope that we get anyone else.

 

Two links: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...ehicle+Code%2E
http://www.guysoflidar.com/illinois-...mmer-laws.html

 

Well look at that. it's true. I knew that the radar jammers were, but didn't know about the LIDAR jammers.

 

I saw that!

 

I've been driving with a laser shield on my front plate for several years. I know that those are illegal as well.

 

so is my photoblocker on my rear plate.
IL has become so driver unfriendly.
they just love to point out to me that I dont have a front plate when I get stopped for some traffic stop.
I always plead, really? It must have been ripped off, and then I just order (for $9) a replacement to prove that I am going to get in compliance... I have 6 extra's so far.
best way to beat it.

 

Note that "only if its in use" The jammers can be turned off. Thus you can turn them off in states where they are banned and turn them back on in less Nazi locales

 

Again, why all the bad rap on cordless.....I use mine every day and battery life is excellent, and I use rechargable cells, so it's essentially free.

 

My expirience was in a very long drive, the batteries did last about 24hrs of almost continous use. I have never used it on a "normal" basis, rechargables
are a great idea. One thing I have not done, but with all this discussion will do soon is to compare the RX 75 with the passport side by side. The RX has a huge concealed radar antena (bigger than any whole detector), but of course, it is set at bumper level. The passport goes much higher in the car so it does have a horizon level advantage. I'll use them both for a week or so to see how they compare and let you guys know.

 

Does anyone know if the CMBS radar interferes with anything? I am guessing it is a whole different (shorter) frequency than used by traffic radar.

 

no issues with any consumer products, or military products known to date.
Dont worry it wont interfere with police radar or your radar detector.

 

No interference.

 

Did you ever get the chance to compare the two models (RX75 and the Passport)?

I'm assuming these are both cordless models. With Christmas coming the kids want to get pop a gift so I'd like to let them know what they will spend my money on.

Now here is where my ignorance will probably shine. What about inexpensive brands of detectors they carry at Costco. Its a Whistler, but they boast about detecting radar from all directions and seem to have most if not all of the features of the valentihne (minus the arrows) and the 8500. Is there really that much difference in sensitivity or performance? There sure is a huge difference in the price. Just curious.

 

Thanks for all the info !!! I thinking about getting the V1.

 

Replies to previous 2 messages:

1. Radar detectors at Costco is/are a no-no. I've purchased a LOT from there (multiple flat-screen TV's, food, computers, liquor, etc.) - but radar detector has not - and will never be - one thing I get there. Why? You're getting quantity (low price) over quality, and I'm not willing to cut corners on a "protection" device (funny aside is that I did purchase two fire extinguishers at Costco).

2. Valentine 1 is still my choice (I've owned two). This defies all rules that "newer is always better." The technology might be 30+ years old, but it sure as hell works. Arrows, numbers, beeps, and dots. That's all I need. Mine is upgraded to the latest POP detection and Ku band hardware.

With that said, I never use it. I live in Georgia and must be super lucky...

-josh

 

I no longer use a radar detector for a number of reasons. I live in Pittsburgh and travel the NE extensively (in sales). I used to use a Passport Solo. I can tell you that just in PA, the state police use instant on radar exclusively. If they want you, they'll get you 9 out of 10 times so it's just not worth it. Also in PA, only the state police are allowed (by state law) to use radar. Locals can only use Vascar or some other timing device. The state is worried about the locals using speeding tickets as a revenue source. So in my travels:

1. I have yet to see a state trooper even look at you (on the interstates) if you set the cruise at 10MPH over the limit. This is true for every state I travel in (PA, NY, NH, VT, ME, MA)

2. Believe it or not, I do all of my speeding (10MPH+ above the posted limit) in the rain. Why? Because I always have excellent tires on the car so I can usually drive well above the limit without hydroplaning in all but the heaviest rain. I also use Rain-X religiously so I can see well regardless of the weather conditions. Bottom line: I never see police using radar in the rain because the rain drops scatter too much of the beam for it to be effective. Been doing this for at least 15 years now and have yet to get a ticket.

3. Using a detector just puts me in the mindset that it's a competition which does nothing more than raise my blood pressure just so I can try not to get caught, i.e., to beat "the man". To me, that just takes all of the fun out of my driving. I'd rather just set the cruise at 10MPH over the posted limit, and let other people with detectors pass me to become "radar bait". I love nothing better than having people fly by me like I'm standing still only to see them pulled over miles ahead. I believe that detectors give many people a false sense of confidence. What's even funnier is when you get to a rest area and that guy who was flying low when he went by you miles back is parked there. Somehow, the whole risk/ reward ratio just doesn't seem right if you drive foolishly fast but don't get any further ahead over time.

So I would ask, of those who use detectors, how far above the posted limit do you usually drive?

 

You can protect yourself against instant on by making sure that here is always traffic ahead of you. It's not foolproof, but you will get a warning from the residual scatter. If you're the only one on the road, especially at night, then you best be going not much over the limit.

I learned that the hard way last year driving from Illinois to Minnesota. I got cocky and was going 86 in a 65 at around 12:30 am. I was the only one on the road and I got hit with instant on.

Other than that I have always had good luck with having a "rabbit" up ahead as a decoy. I feel naked if I'm ever driving without my Passport.

Now since moving to Michigan, the land of 70mph speed limits, I hardly ever stray too far over that limit, nor do I need to. I'll occasionally creep towards 80, but that's as fast as I need to go.

 

I'll agree and say that the normal police-interest cut-off point for most roads is +15. Stay under +15 and you'll be OK. I had this confirmed by friends of mine who are/were police at each level -- local, county & state -- when I had about 10 of them working with me in the Army Reserve. They told me there are just too many people exceeding +15 to worry about the others.

So, when I'm on an interstate with a 65 mph limit, I generally drive at 78 or so. I have never gotten a ticket with that formula (BTW, I also have a V-1)

 

I admit to bursts of 15-20 over the limit (75-80 in urbanized areas of Ohio), but only when traffic is light or if I'm inbound to the hospital for an emergency.

With that said, I don't use my V1 locally. I know where all the local cops hide and I know to slow down before I get there. One municipality through which I travel uses laser, and so I back off there, too.

I do use the V1 when I travel out of the area. It has saved my ass on a number of occasions. If I'm the only one on the road, I don't do more than 10 above the limit to avoid attention from the state troopers.

 

Those who figure 10 or 15 over is always safe better not venture into Texas (or New Mexico, for that matter).

I've had a state trooper do a U-turn across the median and pull me over for doing 7 over. My radar detector emitted one single beep as he approached from the opposite direction, then in the rearview mirror I saw him cut across the grass median to come run me down and pull me over.

Parts of I-35 through Central Texas are renown for cops who'll ticket you for 3mph over the limit. I know a guy who got such a ticket.

I wouldn't go anywhere without my detector, but when I travel on the open highway I usually set the cruise at about 6-7 over. Then if I get a beep, a tap on the brakes will slow me to 5 or less over the limit in a matter of yards. Any cop who will ticket you for 5 over is a real chickensh!t, so I feel pretty safe doing that.

In town, I almost always go to 3-4 over the limit, set my cruise control and go. No tickets in 20 years.

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I agree Mike, +10 is about the max, I would never feel safe at +15, been pulled over for that as well.

 

Interesting. I should have mentioned that the police I spoke to about the +15 mph cut-off were (maybe obviously) from in and around my area -- which is Rochester, NY (about 350 miles northwest of NYC). Different areas can certainly have different cut-offs. Some areas even have different cut-offs depending on the time of month or yeear and or their need for additional cash flow.

Having said that, I'm amazed that people get stopped for +3mph. I'd fight that ticket on principal alone because all the equipment involved -- both the cop's and yours -- can easily be that far off. (i.e., That's easily in the normal range of error.)

Sounds like some police have way too much spare time on their hands

 

In PA, officially the state police are required to give you posted limit +6MPH to account for speedo error. With timing devices like Vascar, it's posted limit +10MPH.

State Police typically don't want the bother of ticketing people for limit+10. They're more concerned about the 15+ crowd. I don't even tap the brakes when I cruise at 10+ because they don't even pick their heads up to look at you. Their radar units allow them to preset the alarm level based upon speed so they literally don't get an alert unless you're over the speed they've preset the alarm to.

johnnykuz

 

Just wanted to update on the solo. I switched to Lithium batteries for it and the results have been spectacular. Whilst I had to recharge my rechargeables every week (6-8 hrs use), the lithiums have lasted over a month and are still going strong. My guess is that the passport requires a quite stout current level which the rechargeables cannot hold for long. In my expirience the regular alkaline batteries needed replacement after 15 hrs or so of operation. I use the passport on my S2K.
One point on the solo, however, is that detection is significantly inferior to the 8500 and my Bell RX 75. In part it has to do with how high the detector is "Off the ground" . I have to place high on the windshield for best results, but even then detection distance is still less than the RX 75 whose detector actually lies in the bumper of my RL. Still its detection distance is satisfactory though waiting to react as can be done on the others its not an option.

 

Or CA - I think I read recently they are starting to enforce less the 5 MPH over - and the CHP is one tough bunch.

Me - I always make sure there are cars going faster (never seems to be a problem) and I almost ALWAYS use cruise control. I usually stay at 2 - 3 over. No tickets in 20+ years.

 

I've abandoned the idea of getting the Solo s2 and have decided to go with a hard wired unit. I've been reading about the Bel RX65 or the Passport 8500. Do you have an opinion between the two. Also I'm talking hardwired because I can't think of a place to mount the detector in the RL w/o the coiled cig lighter cord getting in the way of the nav screen, and I think I would rather have the detector mounted on the left side of the dash.

 

Here's how my hard-wired 8500 is mounted:



Works like a charm.

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LOL, I think it bears mentioning that the amount of tickets written in any geographical area is most likely directly proportional to how much tax revenue is taken in, not by how many MPH over the posted limit is.

Also good mention by johnnykuz about no radar traps in inclement weather, but you should also mention the cops not wanting to get their spiffy uniforms wet.

The only place I drive above the posted limit is on multi lane divided highways here in MA, and that means 80+ on 95N and 95S, and even faster on 495 S, and that is just going with the flow. The only time I see a Trooper here is glaring at traffic at the Braintree split to make sure you don't use the HOV lane, and at construction sites.

One thing about buying a used car in Massachusetts...you know the directionals will be in perfect order because they've never been used.

 

LOL, the revenue issue is precisely why PA won't let the locals use radar. They're afraid that they'll focus on using speed traps as revenue sources.

You are 100% on target about speeding on multi-lane divided highways. Anywhere else is just an invitation to a ticket (and is not safe IMO). I drive 90, 290, and 495 in my New England travels quite a bit and yes, at 80MPH, you're just going with the flow.

Oh, and the directionals, that one has me ROFLMAO.... so true.

 

Thanks thats exactly the location I had in mind. It seems like the only place that is flat enough and it looks good there.

 

What's holding the detector up? I don't see suction cups there.

 

Here is my mod for detector mount that I stole from my flat 7" LCD.




Anh here the final mount with the alum shield which you can not tell what it is from outside.

 

It's the magic of Velcroİ.

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I notice you have an 8500 and the 8500 x-50. Do you prefer one over the other? Both are stil offered with the 8500 a little less expensive.