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Author Topic: Where to get the radar detector?  (Read 2735 times)

Offline horizonstar

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Where to get the radar detector?
« on: August 29, 2005, 05:52:29 pm »
Hi guys, just got a speeding ticket:-( I heard there is some detector, which can stick to the windshield and alarm when there is a speed trap...I know it's illegal in some provinces, in BC, however, it is illegal, am I right? Could anyone pls tell me where can I buy it? I searched futureshop and bestbuy's websites, nothing there...

Thanks a lot!
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Offline ovr50

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2005, 06:21:31 pm »
In my experience, radar detectors are a mixed bag - some work and some don't work well enough to prevent a ticket. Generally, the more expensive ones work better (Valentine 1 and Escort), some of the cheaper ones don't give enough warning. Radar (including Laser and other more sophisticated poiice devices) has come a long way from the old "point and shoot" radar guns. Car mags often do tests on radar detection devices and rate them - search around.  

As to legality, it varies by province and state. In BC, I "think" they are still legal (get more up to date opinions on this). Bear in mind, legal or not, if the police stop you and you have a radar detection device visable, you're in for a rougher ride than usual.  

I used to use a windshield-mounted Escort, but found, over time, it was not effective against today's police equipment. I never bought another one. Many devices also give off false signals so they are a bit of a pain in the butt IMO.  

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Offline si

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2005, 06:29:48 pm »
They are legal in BC

They are sold at future shops and most car electronic shops

They won't prevent the police from getting your speed

Detector will only sound when police shoot their gun at you.  But detector will also go off to random radiaton.

Common sense will work better than any radar detector, like not speeding excessivly and not going too much faster than the speed of traffic.  Also slow down around known police speed traps, as well as overpasses/underpasses/highway sections with an open median.

But saying that, I have one and my driving record is clean.
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Mdxtasy

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2005, 06:29:58 pm »
I just don't speed....
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Offline si

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2005, 06:32:30 pm »
You will not find them on-line at the major electronic websites because they are not legal in all provinces.  

And yes, if police spot a radar detector kiss your warning goodbye.
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Offline tenpenny

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2005, 08:03:18 pm »
MDX - you just don't speed?

Why do I find that hard to believe?  You mean, you never, ever go over the posted limit?????  So you're the guy holding up traffic?  

That said, I've never bothered with a detector.  On my regular drives, I typically push the limits of acceptability, and on my occasionaly bursts beyond, I accept the consequences.
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Offline GTI-Gabe

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2005, 09:10:34 pm »
I was watching 5th Gear on Speed and they tested different radar detectors...

all of them worked, but by the time you got the warning, copy already clocked your speed...

BUT there was this other detector/jammer which is sold in the UK as a garage door opener ;o)  That thing was great, it detected the radar gun, and jammed its signal so it could not tell your speed.

Forgot the name of it, but it was funny as they sold it as garage door opener :o)
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Offline barrie1

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« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2005, 10:05:41 pm »
In Ont they take your Radar Detecter and smash it with a 5lb sledge they carry in the trunk of their cruisers. Then they start writing you up. Don't know the cost but its pricey as well as the ticket for whatever they clocked you at. It soon adds up. I don't own one either. No tickets in almost 30 years.
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Offline Bullet Blue

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2005, 10:18:26 pm »
I wonder what City Pig thinks about all this...
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Offline articsteve

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2005, 10:22:45 pm »
BUT there was this other detector/jammer which is sold in the UK as a garage door opener ;o) That thing was great, it detected the radar gun, and jammed its signal so it could not tell your speed.

I'd buy that.
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Mdxtasy

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2005, 11:05:34 pm »
"Why do I find that hard to believe? You mean, you never, ever go over the posted limit????? So you're the guy holding up traffic?"

No no no...I'm never the fastest car on the road.  I keep up with traffic....not the slowest, not the fastest.  Am I over the posted limit.  Yes, if the flow of traffic is also going over the limit.  
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Offline The Mighty Duck

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2005, 11:40:33 pm »
I was in Future Shop browsing for one just the other day...  they have one very cool one that you install in your dash, instead of hanging from your windshield.  Very good idea, imo.

Not sure of the price on it, though...
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Offline horizonstar

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« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2005, 12:31:22 am »
Thanks sooooo much you guys! I followed your advices and did some search online

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=1993&page_number =3
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Mdxtasy

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« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2005, 12:33:40 am »
If you can afford a V1....that's the way to go.  Pricey but you get what you pay for.
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Offline tpl

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2005, 06:26:45 am »
All the detector can do is to warn you that SOMEWHERE around there is a pulse train of RF that appears to be one of the police radar units used in NA.  If it detects the particular pulse train that has just been reflected from your car then you are probably booked already.

The reason I think that some "jammers" will work is that the police radars are very conservative and want to see several seconds of reflected pulses before they register a speed.  This is a function of having the devices built to a price AND to make sure that the operator is holding the device "stationary" aimed at the same target... easier to defend in court if the officer can say that he tracked the speeder for 5 seconds not 1 millisecond which is all the electronics would need.

Laser detectors are the same...I dont know what the sensor is like but it detects coherent light and warns. Again if that light is aimed at you your booked as you cannot "jam it" except under the condition where the laser speed detector, on purpose, requires a lot of samples to show a reading.... even then it would be a problem that would need a trunk full of computers and power supplies to power a steerable high powered laser back at the detector... star wars anyone?

I think it is easier to not speed in the presence of policemen and to speed the rest of the time.
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Offline The Fuzz

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« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2005, 08:06:03 am »
What do I think........

1) I think MDX is pulling my leg.
2) As I've said before, if you can hear your radar detector go off, let off the gas and hit the brake in the 1/3 of a second that it takes me to get a reading on you, you win.
3) If I catch you with one, you get the full ticket for your speed and the ticket for having the detector, instead of the 15km/h ticket for $52.50 and no points you were probably going to get.
4)If you drive at a reasonable pace and use your head you won't need a detector.

That's what I think.
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Offline Brigitte

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2005, 08:27:30 am »
Five from me, City P.  Always the voice of reason.
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Offline Driver

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« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2005, 08:32:39 am »
Very well put CityP!
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Offline Snowman

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Where to get the radar detector?
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2005, 08:32:56 am »
Exactly City. I have drive 20-25 over in a 90 and 9 times out of ten never get pulled over. And if I do it results in a reduced ticket and a $52 fine. Spending a few hundred dollars on a detector is hardly worth the expenditure.
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Offline safristi

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« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2005, 09:34:42 am »
Geez Snowy ya commute twice a day weekly...10 TRIPS...Hmmmm that's  ticket a week x 52+$2,500 PLUS.....that'd buy aVALENTINE or a FUZZ BUSTER fer you and the Lady...!!!!....

  Zzzzzzapppp....there goes anuffer one....!!!!!
   Zzzzzoooommmm..hairy coms again........!!!!!

A few years back a bud had one in his car...stopped on a country road...before Cop came up he tossed it into the ditch and swore he didn't have one...got ticketed fer speeding...went back at night !!!! sure he knew the spot ..gave up his $200 Toy after a 2 hour search....BwaaaHAAAhAAAA
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