Radar Detectors - 2015 Opinions

[killramos]

So looking over threads it seems like that last reasonable discussion on the topic was in 2010 :nut: .

So i have been thinking of investing in a radar detector lately, never received a speeding ticket and would like to keep it that way. I don't do stupid things on roads but i would like the peace of mind of being able to travel a bit quicker than posted on highways and not get screwed by a hidden trap in the city or anything. Seems to me like at least having a detector is a good insurance policy.

Most online review collections i have found seem a touch biased ( i.e. some reviews don't even include the top models from other reviews :nut: ) so i figured Beyond was a good place to ask about what people are buying and using.

Sounds like there are still a ton of people who love the V1's, even though it looks straight out of the 90's. Others swear by the many passport devices ( which i can't tell the difference between for the life of me)

Anyhow, beyond recommend a radar detector!

:goflames:

[gwill]

Here's my 2 cents. I've had a 9500ix for a couple years which is the passport model. Super quiet and was very useful early on when I purchased it but a lot of police vehicles are starting to use lidar when on routine traffic patrol. My passport doesn't pick this up. I'm not sure if there are any radar detectors that can as its a very small narrow band from what I've read.

Perhaps others can chime in on models that pick up lidar. With the shift to this it's making radar detectors pretty useless. My passport won't even pick up the photo radar trucks anymore unless they are one of the older ones that didn't upgrade to lidar.

I also got a ticket on the highway a couple weeks back. The cop when he comes to my window comments on my radar detector to put me in my place. "Oh is that a radar detector your using? Bahah he says... Guess you shouldn't have relied on that today eh? This was a small town under cover vehicle as well... Just something to keep in mind.

[killramos]

Lidar is just laser isn't it? Which to the best of my knowledge any modern detector can pick up.

The issue with laser is by the time you detect it the cop has already clocked you in 90% of cases.

But then again I have never owned one so :dunno:

[gwill]

I'm not an expert when it comes to this but lidar is one of the waves they can clock you speeding on. It's a narrow band that's harder for radar detectors to pick up as it focuses on a smaller area. Used to be the x bands or k bands police would mostly use.

By the time you get lazered it is too late but when a roving patrol vehicle has a lidar speed detector you're also screwed. I can drive beside a photo radar truck using lidar and my passport won't pick it up. I was just reading that in Canada police use a dragoneye speed lidar laser guns. It's not all vehicles that have this yet but the majority of police patrol vehicles don't give me alerts anymore.

The good example was my recent ticket when driving back into the city... The cop came around a corner and snagged me without may radar detector ever going off. If he wasn't using lidar I would have detected him from a mile away on a highway.

[killramos]

So does no one use them any more then as they are useless?

[revelations]

I would say that in the city, esp. Calgary, that their purpose is limited now. If you drive on the highways, then I would recommend one as the RCMP are old school.

[dirtsniffer]

Laser is only used while stationary. You will still pick up cruisers on the highway with radar but you're pretty well screwed. Get a jammer if you want want to speed.

[gwill]

Originally posted by killramos
So does no one use them any more then as they are useless?

Best way to answer this is for someone to confirm what the CPS uses to clock vehicles and what the surrounding communities are still using.... Different communities or cities have migrated from standard radar at different rates.

[phreezee]

I only use it on road trips. Saved me a bunch of times in B.C. and once recently in Canmore.
You still need to watch the road as RCMP use the head on, moving technique where they zap you as they get close travelling in the opposite direction, giving you no warning.

[ryder_23]

Keep in mind CPS traffic unmarked use Ka moving in the city as well. Narrow K band now for Photo radar, of course lots of LIDAR.

I still rock a v1. Have for 14 years(different versions)

[BokCh0y]

I rock a Escort Passport 9500xi in both my cars, same as what gwill uses. And like he says, it's pretty much useless now cept for it does tell me where the speed cams and stuff are.

When I first started using radar detectors a while back, my bel whatever, or escort 8500i and the current 9500xi used to pick up everything. Photo radars a mile away, rcmp's driving with radar guns on and laser if I was behind some :D. But now....doesn't pick up anything basically. I don't know if it's really saved me nowadays from any radar traps to be honest. I can spot the ford explorer or f-150 photo radars if they aren't hiding, but my 9500xi rarely ever goes off now.

I guess maybe from a psychological aspect knowing I have a radar detector in my car it makes me feel...better haha. :dunno:

[zieg]

There's an app called camsam that you can use for cameras if you're driving in an unfamiliar place. Otherwise you're pretty much boned nowadays. I won't even bother on the highway since they can be aircraft patrolled (at least on the qe2, where I spend most of my time). Detection isn't enough with laser. You need a jammer - a good one, and those are not cheap.

[revelations]

^ with an exotic you really need all 3

- gps warning for common areas for police and photo radar, intersection camera locations
- lidar jammer
- radar detector for highways


I say exotic because most drivers wont drop 1500-2000$ for this setup unless they drive something serious and where getting pulled over could mean your license.

[killramos]

Yea I drive a 2 series. Not a vanquish.

Not that I would let some teenager hard wire in a laser system into an exotic.

So really no one on here that runs a detector finds it valuable?

Interesting, well I have been avoiding buying one for years as I think they are irritating and ugly (in other people cars I have driven or been in) . Sounds like one of the better decisions I have made.

[zieg]

Originally posted by revelations
where getting pulled over could mean your license.

Also a good argument for not doing insane speeds in the first place.

[jacky4566]

I would disagree will the above. Own a 9500Xi and find it very useful.
It has most certainly saved me from a few tickets and the GPS feature is great when you forget about that speed camera or in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

I have also never seen a moving vehicle using lidar. Maybe im mistaken but i thought laser had to be aimed manually limiting it from being bumper mounted on a vehicle. Always had a Ka reading with RCMP patrol cars.

With that being said you are screwed for laser traps since they have your speed in 2 readings.

My recommendation. If you have some extra change and would like to frequently speed then go it.

[BensonTT]

9500xi is called the Passport 2 correct?

[Kijho]

I bought a (used) 9500ix earlier this year and used it for about a month before re-selling it back on kijiji and got my money back for what I paid for it haha...

It's cool how it warns you of speed-cameras. I could see that feature useful for people who drive all over the city on different routes each day. For myself, I drive the same roads all the time and already knew where they all were.. it got a little annoying.

It never picked up the photo-radar vans, driving cruisers (I know this can't be expected though), and I went through a few police radar setups and I really assumed it went off by the time I was already clocked in by laser....

The one and only time it warned me was when driving in Banff, just passing the gates.. it began to go off. I was doing the 90km/h limit, but as I came around the turn/bend there were 3 RCMP patrols sitting in the middle of the grassy area with speed-trap setup.. :D :D :D It felt real cool, but that was the one and only time hahaha..

[jacky4566]

Originally posted by BensonTT
9500xi is called the Passport 2 correct?
idk what a Passport 2 is.

9500xi is the older model that has now been replaced with the MAX/MAX2 (Bluetooth is the only difference).

I suggest the Max simply because the interface is miles better and the alert system is less annoying without comprise.

[revelations]

Originally posted by ZiG-87


Also a good argument for not doing insane speeds in the first place.

I can tell you that in BC with their 50 over laws, and with an exotic, it starts to make sense - not that I advocate constant driving idiocy.

Either way, continued douche-baggery will net you tickets through visual estimation. If you flew through a Lidar trap with a dazzler/disruptor, the cops can still cite you with a ticket based on eye sight.

[gwill]

I think there is confusion that lidar means stationary lazer. That's not really the case. For example my ticket on the outskirts of town. It was a cop car going the opposite way and he hit me when he drove by. I had No alerts, no notice... If he was using regular radar I would have been notified well in advance on a high way.

The radar detectors definitely work best on the high ways. I've been half a km away when it would start to go off giving me lots of time to slow down. There are tons of times its gone off and given me plenty of notice... Even driving down the freeway late at night as the police are roaming for speeders while speeding them self.

With all of the lidar I see a radar detector as a diminish value especially if you aren't regularly speeding.

[revelations]

The only thing with lidar is that it cant really be used in snow or rain..... ;)

[NoPulp]

I've been thinking about getting a radar detector too. I usually don't break the law but it would be nice to know who's watching. Unfortunately Lethbridge bought a few undercover trucks for cash grabs, the buggers turn off their equipment until its needed. There's no way to see or detect them until it's too late. They have vehicles pulled over 24/7.

Also, the couple of police officers I know say they have no mercy if they pull over a car with equipment. Automatic ticket for what they pulled you over for with no deduction. Yes, I know that's why you have the detector but people still get pulled over with them.

So IMO it's a lot of money to spend for something that isn't terribly effective.

[Akagi Redsuns]

Originally posted by revelations


I can tell you that in BC with their 50 over laws, and with an exotic, it starts to make sense - not that I advocate constant driving idiocy.
................


In BC excessive speeding is actually going over 40km and at first offensive your car gets taken away for 7 days plus fines and fees. Pretty brutal and why I am always very wary of my speed when visiting.

http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/road-safety/speed.htm

[Team_Mclaren]

Originally posted by ryder_23
Keep in mind CPS traffic unmarked use Ka moving in the city as well. Narrow K band now for Photo radar, of course lots of LIDAR.

I still rock a v1. Have for 14 years(different versions)

werd on V1, have had one since I've used yours hahah

[kenny]

With the introduction of photo laser (3 years ago in Edmonton, Calgary must have at least started testing it) and most (all?) speed traps utilizing laser a radar detector is pretty useless now.

Get a laser jammer instead.

[BokCh0y]

Originally posted by kenny
With the introduction of photo laser (3 years ago in Edmonton, Calgary must have at least started testing it) and most (all?) speed traps utilizing laser a radar detector is pretty useless now.

Get a laser jammer instead.

Oh is that what they did? Introduce photo laser? Would explain why my 9500xi never goes off haha.

[jacky4566]

Just for fun I shopped around and the 9500ix is on sale right now.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F0RPGG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001F0RPGG&linkCode=as2&tag=craigsl-20&linkId=IAPI5S4IGWBTGETP

Also if anyone has a Red 9500ix and wants to trade let me know.

[spike98]

I use the 9500xi and just the GPS feature with camera locations is worth it alone. Its also very good at detecting RADAR and LIDAR. The issue as stated with LIDAR is that if you detect a signal, you most likely are already clocked. The exception is if you detect a reflection off of a vehicle near by.

LIDAR can be used in moving vehicles but given the operation of the unit, the accuracy of the gun is dramatically reduced and i would question every instance that you are ticked while the cop is moving. It is typically used in trap applications and not likely to be used while moving.

RADAR will generally be used to catch speeders while moving and in mobile photo RADAR applications.

Photo Laser Camera's use the new(ish) Dragon Cam and AFAIK calgary does not use them. I believe they use sensors in the roadway to detect the speed for speed on green and different imaging sensors for red light cameras.

The best defense is obviously not speeding but for RADAR is a good detector and LIDAR is a jammer. In AB, both devices are legal for now.

[OTown]

Originally posted by spike98
The best defense is obviously not speeding

Wow! Finally some sense. Pretty simple concept!

I've never had a single speeding ticket, and never had a detector of any kind. Waste of money IMO

[gwill]

Originally posted by spike98
I use the 9500xi and just the GPS feature with camera locations is worth it alone. Its also very good at detecting RADAR and LIDAR. The issue as stated with LIDAR is that if you detect a signal, you most likely are already clocked. The exception is if you detect a reflection off of a vehicle near by.

LIDAR can be used in moving vehicles but given the operation of the unit, the accuracy of the gun is dramatically reduced and i would question every instance that you are ticked while the cop is moving. It is typically used in trap applications and not likely to be used while moving.

RADAR will generally be used to catch speeders while moving and in mobile photo RADAR applications.

Photo Laser Camera's use the new(ish) Dragon Cam and AFAIK calgary does not use them. I believe they use sensors in the roadway to detect the speed for speed on green and different imaging sensors for red light cameras.

The best defense is obviously not speeding but for RADAR is a good detector and LIDAR is a jammer. In AB, both devices are legal for now.


Umm sorry but your 9500ix can not pick up lidar. I have the same machine its just not possible. I had a roving vehicle that hit me on the highway i assume was lidar. Ill confirm when i go to trial but i never received any hits at all. He hit me while going the opposite direction and his ticket matches 100% what my radar detector had my max speed at before he hit his lights. I don't really have a defense so ill plead down but ill get a chance to speak with the officer on what he was using. You're kind of off base in almost everything you wrote.

[spike98]

Originally posted by gwill



Umm sorry but your 9500ix can not pick up lidar. I have the same machine its just not possible. I had a roving vehicle that hit me on the highway i assume was lidar. Ill confirm when i go to trial but i never received any hits at all. He hit me while going the opposite direction and his ticket matches 100% what my radar detector had my max speed at before he hit his lights. I don't really have a defense so ill plead down but ill get a chance to speak with the officer on what he was using. You're kind of off base in almost everything you wrote.

I disagree with you based on the specs Escort supplies and the fact i was hit by laser yesturday on the 1A to cochrane.

https://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix/

OPERATING BANDS
X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
RADAR RECEIVER / DETECTOR TYPE
Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
LASER DETECTION
Quantum Limited Video Receiver
Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes

EDIT: Not receiving notification of LIDAR is possible of course but it depends on the distance of the measurement (beam spread) and the installation of the detector.

[R-Audi]

I have an escort 8500 and V1, and the 8500 is always on backup duty or thrown in my Wifes car.. tough to live without the arrows!

[gwill]

Originally posted by spike98


I disagree with you based on the specs Escort supplies and the fact i was hit by laser yesturday on the 1A to cochrane.

https://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix/

OPERATING BANDS
X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
RADAR RECEIVER / DETECTOR TYPE
Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
LASER DETECTION
Quantum Limited Video Receiver
Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes

EDIT: Not receiving notification of LIDAR is possible of course but it depends on the distance of the measurement (beam spread) and the installation of the detector.

You can literally park beside a photo radar truck and move your radar detector to angle at any direction towards the vehicle and if its using lidar it won't pick it up. But whatever go ahead and think the 9500x is good at picking up Lidar. Maybe do a bit more research on it.. yes in the slightest possibility it might pick up a lidar but the chances are extremely remote. Hence why the detectors can be very useless.

[spike98]

Originally posted by gwill


You can literally park beside a photo radar truck and move your radar detector to angle at any direction towards the vehicle and if its using lidar it won't pick it up. But whatever go ahead and think the 9500x is good at picking up Lidar. Maybe do a bit more research on it.. yes in the slightest possibility it might pick up a lidar but the chances are extremely remote. Hence why the detectors can be very useless.

I cannot tell if you are trolling or really just don't understand the differences between LIDAR and RADAR.

Photo RADAR uses....RADAR. Not LIDAR. None in calgary do. Please refer to the City of Calgary link describing the system is a RADAR based system.

http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Traffic/Photo-radar.aspx

Then you say that the 9500ix "can not pick up lidar." in one post, then you say "yes in the slightest possibility it might pick up a lidar but the chances are extremely remote." These are contracting statements. Is your position that it does or does not detect laser?

I am not arguing the effectiveness of detecting LIDAR as that would vary wildly depending on installation, environment, and equipment operators. As i stated, if you get a signal, is most circumstances they have your speed clocked. But the 9500ix DOES detect LIDAR and given the correct installation of the device, is one of the better ones at detecting it.

I have provided links and references to back up my position and all you have done is told me to "do more research". Why don't you start backing up your statements with some facts instead of opinion so we can get a coherent debate going on.

EDIT: Here is a link to a Radar Detector forum i frequent that discusses the implementation of ultra low k band for photo radar. K band is a RADAR band, not non-visible light like LIDAR. It also may explain why you have/had issues detecting photo radar. Its low powered and has a very narrow forward facing beam. Unless you get some bounce from on coming traffic/obstacles, you wont catch a signal until you are passed the unit.

http://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=26072

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by OTown


Wow! Finally some sense. Pretty simple concept!

I've never had a single speeding ticket, and never had a detector of any kind. Waste of money IMO

I've owned one because I hate being pulled over and bothered for going 10/20/30 over the limit with the flow of traffic on highways. Inner city they are pretty useless I agree.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Most useless thing I have ever owned - 99% of CPS/RCMP staffed speed traps are Lidar which you cannot "detect" (the laser beam is only a few inches wide even at 500M - if you detect it you've been hit already). Photo radar is a mixed bag whether or not you will pick it up (you probably won't), and the cars stand out like a giant sore thumb, there is no need for a detector. Anyone who thinks a radar detector can provide some sort of early warning to Lidar does not understand how it works.

In fact, the only 3 times I've ever been pulled over in my life have been while I owned my radar detector haha. Even rural cops are using Lidar.

Get a laser jammer and hope you don't get an obstruction of justice ticket if you ever get caught, or don't bother at all.

[spike98]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Most useless thing I have ever owned - 99% of CPS/RCMP staffed speed traps are Lidar which you cannot "detect" (the laser beam is only a few inches wide even at 500M - if you detect it you've been hit already). Photo radar is a mixed bag whether or not you will pick it up (you probably won't), and the cars stand out like a giant sore thumb, there is no need for a detector. Anyone who thinks a radar detector can provide some sort of early warning to Lidar does not understand how it works.

In fact, the only 3 times I've ever been pulled over in my life have been while I owned my radar detector haha. Even rural cops are using Lidar.

Get a laser jammer and hope you don't get an obstruction of justice ticket if you ever get caught, or don't bother at all.

Here is an interesting article on the Obstruction charge. The onus would be on the crown to show that you have willfully obstructed policing duties WHILE being clearly informed that the police are executing a duty prior to the alleged obstruction.

http://www.sense.bc.ca/2013/02/12/take-the-trap-away-from-speed-trap-before-laser-jammers-considered-obstruction/

[killramos]

Honestly I am not installing a jammer, i would sooner buy a track membership. I was just looking for a littler insurance of impending quota speed traps on a highway or something where they will ding for for 5-10 over offences etc.

I never drive enough over the limit to warrant a reasonable police response in anything but a trap situation.

I was mostly looking into what detector is best. But seem to have found out that even among people who use them their value is questionable.

So a 500+ dollar device that wont protect me against 80% of enforcement? May even reduce leniency on the side of the road if seen?

Doesn't sound valuable to me.

:dunno:

:closed:

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by spike98


Here is an interesting article on the Obstruction charge. The onus would be on the crown to show that you have willfully obstructed policing duties WHILE being clearly informed that the police are executing a duty prior to the alleged obstruction.

http://www.sense.bc.ca/2013/02/12/take-the-trap-away-from-speed-trap-before-laser-jammers-considered-obstruction/

Interesting article, it makes it sound like there is no way for an obstruction charge to stick with a jammer, unless the cops alert you that there is a speed trap ahead haha.

I think you would get out of it, but I also think they tow your car until it's all sorted out, so there would potentially be a lot of hassle. (that is what Traffic Cop on here was saying).

[EM2FTL]

^As others have said, the high-end detectors are great on the highway. I've had multiple laser saves on highways with an older 9500i, including one at very high speed near Hope BC (laser setup on a tripod). Detectors are still great for catching roving or stationary Ka-band cars as well.

However, many police forces (particularly in urban centres) are modernizing their laser guns with the 'Dragoneye' which is not detectable by most (or all) detectors. These guns can only be jammed by one company last I checked. You're looking at the cost of a detector ($500+), the base ALP system ($700), and then $350 for each additional sensor (need 4 sensors to defeat dragoncam).

http://www.antilaser.ca/buy-alpriority/

Not cheap, but this is the only way to be effective against the new laser guns being rolled out.

[max_boost]

^^^

That's why I picked up a radar detector. To help but not entirely avoid. It's still handy and I use mine everyday.

Wait till a sale hits.

[spike98]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Interesting article, it makes it sound like there is no way for an obstruction charge to stick with a jammer, unless the cops alert you that there is a speed trap ahead haha.

I think you would get out of it, but I also think they tow your car until it's all sorted out, so there would potentially be a lot of hassle. (that is what Traffic Cop on here was saying). Oh i do not doubt that you would be in for a major pain in the ass but when the dust settles, you'd get off of the charge.

Id be interested in understanding the towing part though. I get the speeding laws surrounding that, but can you town a car for an alleged obstruction charge?

[spike98]

Originally posted by EM2FTL
^As others have said, the high-end detectors are great on the highway. I've had multiple laser saves on highways with an older 9500i, including one at very high speed near Hope BC (laser setup on a tripod). Detectors are still great for catching roving or stationary Ka-band cars as well.

However, many police forces (particularly in urban centres) are modernizing their laser guns with the 'Dragoneye' which is not detectable by most (or all) detectors. These guns can only be jammed by one company last I checked. You're looking at the cost of a detector ($500+), the base ALP system ($700), and then $350 for each additional sensor (need 4 sensors to defeat dragoncam).

http://www.antilaser.ca/buy-alpriority/

Not cheap, but this is the only way to be effective against the new laser guns being rolled out.

I've read about the DragonEye and its anti-jam technology. Pretty neat if you ask me. But i haven't read anywhere about the units being undetectable to current model detectors. Care to cite a source?

[EM2FTL]

Originally posted by spike98


I've read about the DragonEye and its anti-jam technology. Pretty neat if you ask me. But i haven't read anywhere about the units being undetectable to current model detectors. Care to cite a source?

No source, sorry - just common sense. The problem with dragoneye is it's being paired with photo enforcement (here in YEG they sit on overpasses and target traffic passing underneath them on another roadway), and no detector will pick that up until you've gone past it and gotten a ticket - even then i'm not sure many detectors will register the dragoneye in that scenario. The only way to protect against it is to jam it, AFAIK.... unless you're aware of some info that i'm not?

[spike98]

Originally posted by EM2FTL


No source, sorry - just common sense. The problem with dragoneye is it's being paired with photo enforcement (here in YEG they sit on overpasses and target traffic passing underneath them on another roadway), and no detector will pick that up until you've gone past it and gotten a ticket - even then i'm not sure many detectors will register the dragoneye in that scenario. The only way to protect against it is to jam it, AFAIK.... unless you're aware of some info that i'm not?

I think that is the case with any application of LIDAR. If it his you, you've been clocked unless you get a lucky bounce. But im sure IF you do get a bounce, your detector will pick it up.

Whats scary (neat) as well is the Obstruction mode that allows targeting though tree limbs, wires and fences. :eek:

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by spike98
Oh i do not doubt that you would be in for a major pain in the ass but when the dust settles, you'd get off of the charge.

Id be interested in understanding the towing part though. I get the speeding laws surrounding that, but can you town a car for an alleged obstruction charge?

According to Traffic Cop you can get towed on the spot (he said he has done this to people as well), but I am just going off of what he's said in his posts in similar threads rather than the letter of the law.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by EM2FTL
^As others have said, the high-end detectors are great on the highway. I've had multiple laser saves on highways with an older 9500i, including one at very high speed near Hope BC (laser setup on a tripod). Detectors are still great for catching roving or stationary Ka-band cars as well.

However, many police forces (particularly in urban centres) are modernizing their laser guns with the 'Dragoneye' which is not detectable by most (or all) detectors. These guns can only be jammed by one company last I checked. You're looking at the cost of a detector ($500+), the base ALP system ($700), and then $350 for each additional sensor (need 4 sensors to defeat dragoncam).

http://www.antilaser.ca/buy-alpriority/

Not cheap, but this is the only way to be effective against the new laser guns being rolled out.

If your detector warned your of a laser trap, they would have hit you already.

[gwill]

Spike- i took issue with your comment that your 9500ix easily alerts you to LIDAR. That's false. You also mentioned a roving police vehicle will have a hard time knowing your actual speed. That's false. You ignored my comment how i got pulled over 2 weeks ago. The rural cop didn't radar me as my detector didn't go off. The only option with this is LIDAR. He was also going the opposite way from me yet my dash cam recorded the exact speed he wrote me a ticket for.

I was the first to post here and said to killramos i'm no expert but here's my 2 cents. I also said someone needs to confirm what's being used by Calgary LEO most of the time before saying if a radar detector is worth while in Calgary. Consensus with most is its not.

From your link it mentions there are only 6 photo raar units in all of Calgary. How awesome. In Edmonton and surrounding areas its photo LIDAR that's used absolutely everywhere and that's where the majority of my driving is done. In Edmonton they regularly setup photo radar on consecutive over passes on the Anthony henday going in the same direction. I can pass 6 photo radar traps in an hour of driving there. When i say photo radar its actually photo lidar in Edmonton and surrounding areas as they have all moved to the DRAGONEYE. Its so bad around here that the surrounding communities hide boxes behind benches snapping photos of speeders.

Again i stand by that my 9500ix never ever picks up these lidar vehicles. You say yours easily does which is great but i drive by these trucks daily and my 9500ix never detects them. Some of the comments from the forum you posted range from: In Edmonton its a completely different league then Calgary to if you live in Edmonton anything less then a laser jammer is pointless.

[EM2FTL]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


If your detector warned your of a laser trap, they would have hit you already.

Actually, high-end detectors can pick up a laser targeting other vehicles. I've been nailed by laser on the highway while speeding (not 10 or 20 over, but speeeeeeeeding), braked, and not been ticketed, so....?

In the city it's a totally different ballgame - you're dealing with far shorter range and less time to react, or pick up a trace signal.

[revelations]

^ they usually try to get two LIDAR readings. Good brakes/reaction times help ..... haha

[spike98]

Originally posted by gwill
Spike- i took issue with your comment that your 9500ix easily alerts you to LIDAR. That's false. You also mentioned a roving police vehicle will have a hard time knowing your actual speed. That's false. You ignored my comment how i got pulled over 2 weeks ago. The rural cop didn't radar me as my detector didn't go off. The only option with this is LIDAR. He was also going the opposite way from me yet my dash cam recorded the exact speed he wrote me a ticket for.

I was the first to post here and said to killramos i'm no expert but here's my 2 cents. I also said someone needs to confirm what's being used by Calgary LEO most of the time before saying if a radar detector is worth while in Calgary. Consensus with most is its not.

From your link it mentions there are only 6 photo raar units in all of Calgary. How awesome. In Edmonton and surrounding areas its photo LIDAR that's used absolutely everywhere and that's where the majority of my driving is done. In Edmonton they regularly setup photo radar on consecutive over passes on the Anthony henday going in the same direction. I can pass 6 photo radar traps in an hour of driving there. When i say photo radar its actually photo lidar in Edmonton and surrounding areas as they have all moved to the DRAGONEYE. Its so bad around here that the surrounding communities hide boxes behind benches snapping photos of speeders.

Again i stand by that my 9500ix never ever picks up these lidar vehicles. You say yours easily does which is great but i drive by these trucks daily and my 9500ix never detects them. Some of the comments from the forum you posted range from: In Edmonton its a completely different league then Calgary to if you live in Edmonton anything less then a laser jammer is pointless.

I have to say i can't debate with you as your understanding of the topic is bellow my level of tolerance. I have posted the manufacturers website indicating that the device detects LIDAR and you fail to grasp that. Ill bow out now. Cheers

[bspot]

Originally posted by gwill


You can literally park beside a photo radar truck and move your radar detector to angle at any direction towards the vehicle and if its using lidar it won't pick it up. But whatever go ahead and think the 9500x is good at picking up Lidar. Maybe do a bit more research on it.. yes in the slightest possibility it might pick up a lidar but the chances are extremely remote. Hence why the detectors can be very useless.

Lol, that's because they aren't using lidar, they are using low power K.

Now that everyone has adaptive cruise, K band will false all over the place.

Detectors are useless in the city besides for ghost cars.. and laser.

I've won the laser lottery twice. V1 picked up laser scatter off of someone ahead of me. I don't count on it though. As has previously been said, you're most likely screwed by the time it goes off.

Where they pay off is all the Ka mounted in ghost cars and highway patrols.

Even more so on a road trip to the US. Tons of old equipment down there. X, Ka, you are getting tons of warning on a lot of the speed traps.

The arrows are essential though. It helps you know if you're picking up a semi, or some approaching old ass radar trap.

I drive down to Moab for mountain biking every year and my V1 has saved me thousands.

[D'z Nutz]

Originally posted by jacky4566
Also if anyone has a Red 9500ix and wants to trade let me know.

evMg3DFXWi4

[killramos]

Bumping an old friend for anyone with a new mercedes:

This is a radar detector solution I can wrap my head around!

https://www.midcityengineering.com/product/escort-radar-integration-maxint213/

Apparently even works in HUD.

[Disoblige]

Neat that it is more hidden and less of a security issue. But I love my Max 360 so much I can deal with the nuisance of taking it on and off. The directional arrows and front/back sensors provide great indication of the situation. It would be awesome if they came out with a device that had the same capability in this.

[killramos]

I think the box works with the Max Ci 360 and will give indicator of where threat is occurring from.

Documentation on the box itself is horrible, even their install guides are years out of date haha.

If you go on their YouTube channel you can see it giving threat direction indication on an S550.

Basically the mid city box just provides the oem integration. Capabilities are ultimately based on the escort system you have installed.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Problem is like all these systems are that it still does literally nothing against Lidar, which is what most people get nailed by in & around Calgary.

[killramos]

Escort claimes otherwise. As do some other shifter suppliers.

Reality likely somewhere in the middle of each side of the hype.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Escort claimes otherwise. As do some other shifter suppliers.

Reality likely somewhere in the middle of each side of the hype.

Your OP said "radar detector solution" are you also talking about laser jammers? Two very different beasts.

There is literally no way laser can be detected prior to you getting nailed by it. Only way is to try jam laser, which can work but has quite a bit of controversy around it, and if you get caught with it you can get an obstruction of justice charge.

[killramos]

It’s one integrated system that does everything. All the mid city box does is add oem integration to escorts integrated all in detector shifter system.

Not my fault you chose not to read the link which was the entire point of the post.

I just think it’s cool.

[Mitsu3000gt]

It’s one integrated system that does everything. All the mid city box does is add oem integration to escorts integrated all in detector shifter system.

Not my fault you chose not to read the link which was the entire point of the post.

I just think it’s cool.

I read it, I was just confused by your use of the singular "radar detector solution" :) It is a neat product for sure, the more integrated the better for those types of things if you're in an area where they don't use Lidar.

[bjstare]

Your OP said "radar detector solution" are you also talking about laser jammers? Two very different beasts.

There is literally no way laser can be detected prior to you getting nailed by it. Only way is to try jam laser, which can work but has quite a bit of controversy around it, and if you get caught with it you can get an obstruction of justice charge.

I thought jammers were still legal in AB? Source?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I thought jammers were still legal in AB? Source?

They are technically legal unless things have changed recently, since the good ones like the Blinder system are passive until a laser hits them. The problem is that CPS officers who post here occasionally said if they find it, they confiscate it and slap you with obstruction of justice knowing full well that if you want to fight it, you will probably win but it creates an enormous hassle and potentially cost due to the much more serious charge compared to a traffic violation. On the off chance you lose, I am not sure what those consequences would be exactly but I'm guessing they aren't fun as it's criminal code. Also most of the newer Lidar guns tell them it's being jammed, or throw a code that indicates a possible jam, so if they go investigate your car they will find your jammer at which point they might be nice to you, they might not be. Didn't seem worth it.

[killramos]

Filing charges that have no chance of conviction because police don’t like what you are doing?

That would never happen!

:rofl:

[Mitsu3000gt]

Filing charges that have no chance of conviction because police don’t like what you are doing?

That would never happen!

:rofl:

I assume you are being sarcastic, but a CPS officer on this board claimed he has done it himself in this exact scenario.

Some Jammers are even marketed as parking sensors now to make them harder to go after.

[killramos]

Quite

[bjstare]

I assume you are being sarcastic, but a CPS officer on this board claimed he has done it himself in this exact scenario.

Some Jammers are even marketed as parking sensors now to make them harder to go after.

Ugh I really hope that wasn't Phil. I thought he was a decent guy. Any CPS officer that would do this is definitely a dick hole.

[killramos]

I think it was traffic cop people were quoting a few pages back I think!

[Mitsu3000gt]

Ugh I really hope that wasn't Phil. I thought he was a decent guy. Any CPS officer that would do this is definitely a dick hole.

Ya I think the guys name was Traffic Cop. A real treat to deal with, I am sure. Anyways he claimed he charged someone with obstruction with a jammer and I have read about those charges happening elsewhere. You probably wouldn't get convicted but it's a nightmare to have a criminal charge.

[g-m]

Sounds like a treat to deal with given that they're legal and it's basically spite

[Disoblige]

K, just to clear up confusion.
Laser jamming I don't believe is illegal but I wonder why cars install secret-ish switches to turn it off just in case cops pull you over for obstruction? Kind of shit you don't want to deal with.
Laser detection is not, but if your radar detector has this feature, it is pretty useless anyways as cop already got you. Just hope your car's front end has less reflective surface area and maybe you got lucky.

Lastly, agree radar detector is not that useful in the city, but if you do lots of highway driving (which I do), it saved my ass over 20 times already. The only sneaky ones are the cops who don't radar you until they're somewhat close.

[ramminghard]

Bumping an old thread back up.

Do a lot of highway driving in addition to city and am thinking of picking up a radar detector for the summer. Been looking at a Passport 9500IX as it seems to be a good balance of price and features/functionality. Any others that should be considered?

[spike98]

The issue with the IX and previous models is the wake of Blind Spot Monitoring systems (BSM). They use radar (and sometimes LIDAR) in similar bands as police equipment. This has made it challenging for manufacturers to reduce the amount of false alerts. Having owned a 9500ix (and its for sale), I have found that it has good amount of false alerts compared to my Redline EX. That said, as a highway detector, it has surpurb range and the GPS database is awesome. Your biggest threat is LIDAR so a jammer is always the best bet, but for speed on green/red light cams, and highway detection, the 9500IX will do quite well if you dont mind the falses. Of course, pair it with Waze for LIDAR traps, and you should be pretty protected.

If you want the best of the best, the new 360c or the EX are top of the lines (but cost a mint).

[KRyn]

Bumping an old thread back up.

Do a lot of highway driving in addition to city and am thinking of picking up a radar detector for the summer. Been looking at a Passport 9500IX as it seems to be a good balance of price and features/functionality. Any others that should be considered?

If you want the best, get the Uniden R7. If that is too rich for your blood I would get a Uniden R3, the 9500IX is dated.

[spike98]

If you want the best, get the Uniden R7. If that is too rich for your blood I would get a Uniden R3, the 9500IX is dated.

Uniden makes some great detectors but the lack of auto silence and poor (comparatively) BSM filtering, there is better options out there. Of course, if range is a top priority, the R7 will meet expectations.

[revelations]

If you drive a lot in AB (outside of the cities), its worth optimizing your setup for THIS province (RCMP, Sheriffs) in the rural areas.

Look up their devices and see how well any detecting equipment stacks up.

Personally, I would be going for a small, frontal lidar jammer/alert system.

[KRyn]

Uniden makes some great detectors but the lack of auto silence and poor (comparatively) BSM filtering, there is better options out there. Of course, if range is a top priority, the R7 will meet expectations.

Given he does lots of highway driving I would be less concerned about BSM filtering and more interested in the the superior range.

[ramminghard]

If you drive a lot in AB (outside of the cities), its worth optimizing your setup for THIS province (RCMP, Sheriffs) in the rural areas.

Look up their devices and see how well any detecting equipment stacks up.

Personally, I would be going for a small, frontal lidar jammer/alert system.

Highway driving is mainly in Alberta and BC (95%) but if there is a detector that also functions well in the city that's an added benefit. Do the provinces differ in what the RCMP are using?

[revelations]

Highway driving is mainly in Alberta and BC (95%) but if there is a detector that also functions well in the city that's an added benefit. Do the provinces differ in what the RCMP are using?

In that case, if you are serious about this - buy two units that could potentially work, use them side by side (but not too close together) and then keep the better one,

[ramminghard]

In that case, if you are serious about this - buy two units that could potentially work, use them side by side (but not too close together) and then keep the better one,

I am definitely not that serious about it! Was hoping to be $200-$300 serious about it but that is starting to feel a little low based on the options.

[gwill]

I had the 9500ix and got tagged going way too fast on the highway one time. It didnt pick up the rcmp officer at all. I was quite surprised by that. The cop laughed at my radar detector and made fun of me. Rightfully so I suppose.

I'm still not sure what sort of radar that rcmp used to tag me driving the opposite direction on a one lane highway. The escort at that time was one of the high end radar detectors.

I'm using the redline international right now so it can pick up mrcd which is used a lot in Alberta.

[spike98]

I had the 9500ix and got tagged going way too fast on the highway one time. It didnt pick up the rcmp officer at all. I was quite surprised by that. The cop laughed at my radar detector and made fun of me. Rightfully so I suppose.

I'm still not sure what sort of radar that rcmp used to tag me driving the opposite direction on a one lane highway. The escort at that time was one of the high end radar detectors.

I'm using the redline international right now so it can pick up mrcd which is used a lot in Alberta.

MRCD is NOT used a lot in alberta. In fact, there is one city in western canada that has been reported to use MRCD and its not Calgary.

[ramminghard]

Thanks for the recommendations, picked up the Uniden R3. Need to figure out how the thing works now!

[spike98]

Start here

https://www.kmph.ca/blogs/radar-detector-and-laser-jammer-reviews/program-uniden-r1-r3-settings-canada

[ramminghard]

Start here

https://www.kmph.ca/blogs/radar-detector-and-laser-jammer-reviews/program-uniden-r1-r3-settings-canada

Followed the advanced settings and am making some good progress! Definitely getting a few km warning of RCMP on the highway. The two items that I am still having difficulty with are not picking up any photo radar and Honda's triggering the K band.

Anyone else having issues with detecting the new photo radar vehicles in Calgary?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Where are you guys driving that the cops still use traditional radar? Every highway speed trap I have seen in the last 5+ years is all LiDar. I have numerous friends on the RCMP as well and they only use LiDar. You see the odd dash-mounted radar unit in cruisers but those aren't usually what they're using. Photo radar isn't used on highways and you can spot it a mile away in the city because they don't hide or are in the same spots every day even if they do hide.

You can't detect laser until it's too late, and if you jam laser you can end up fighting a (BS) criminal charge. None of it seems worth it anymore. I used to be all over this stuff but just keeping an eye out for the super obvious speed traps has kept me ticket free for over a decade.

[ExtraSlow]

Are people actually getting criminal charges for laser jammers in Canada? Has that truly happened?

[spike98]

Are people actually getting criminal charges for laser jammers in Canada? Has that truly happened?

No, i can't find a single case in the research i did. That is unless they are being used in a province where the corresponding radar detector is illegal.

[revelations]

^ but you can have a lidar (light) jammer going all the time without a corresponding radar detector.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Are people actually getting criminal charges for laser jammers in Canada? Has that truly happened?

Traffic_Cop claims he charged everyone with obstruction that he caught with one, knowing it wouldn't hold up but creating enormous cost/hassle to fight a criminal charge. People on jammer forums also claimed to have it happen to them. Not worth the risk at all IMHO.

Lots of jammers are sold as "parking distance sensors" but law enforcement knows exactly what you're doing.

[spike98]

^ but you can have a lidar (light) jammer going all the time without a corresponding radar detector.

Absolutely. But some or even most Laser jammers use the radar detector as the "brain".

- - - Updated - - -

I read that, but the burden of proof would be on the officer to prove you obstructed. It shouldnt be an enormous hassle at all. The cop would have to prove that you were otherwise breaking the law and that you obstructed the collection of evidence to demonstrate that.

[revelations]

Absolutely. But some or even most Laser jammers use the radar detector as the "brain".

- - - Updated - - -

I read that, but the burden of proof would be on the officer to prove you obstructed. It shouldnt be an enormous hassle at all. The cop would have to prove that you were otherwise breaking the law and that you obstructed the collection of evidence to demonstrate that.

Still, you end up going to traffic court for it = hassle. Also the member can just as well provide a visual estimation if your Ferrari is WOT.

[spike98]

Still, you end up going to traffic court for it = hassle. Also the member can just as well provide a visual estimation if your Ferrari is WOT.

In court, visual estimation, will need two known reference points and the ability to time. An officer set up in a speed trap situation pointing a gun at you would have a hard time demonstrating an reliable estimate.

At any rate, this isn't traffic court. I have not heard of a single instance where the use of a lidar jammer has lead to an obstruction charge. Thats the point here.

[ExtraSlow]

That's what I thought. I was caught off guard by that comment.

[revelations]

In court, visual estimation, will need two known reference points and the ability to time. An officer set up in a speed trap situation pointing a gun at you would have a hard time demonstrating an reliable estimate.



Thats not what I am talking about -> if you are pulling 100kph in a 50 zone, the member can visually estimate your speed and cite you accordingly. I've seen many members do this.

What usually happens though is that it gets reduced in traffic court to 10 over or something - especially if there is no traffic to reference to.

[gwill]

Followed the advanced settings and am making some good progress! Definitely getting a few km warning of RCMP on the highway. The two items that I am still having difficulty with are not picking up any photo radar and Honda's triggering the K band.

Anyone else having issues with detecting the new photo radar vehicles in Calgary?

If the photo radar uses lidar your radar detector will never alert you.

[spike98]

Followed the advanced settings and am making some good progress! Definitely getting a few km warning of RCMP on the highway. The two items that I am still having difficulty with are not picking up any photo radar and Honda's triggering the K band.

Anyone else having issues with detecting the new photo radar vehicles in Calgary?

Sorry i skipped your post...

You will have issues with detecting photo radar in calgary. It uses a low intensity poliarzed K band system called Redflex. I have a redline EX and i have a very hard time detecting it if at all. You best bet with Photo radar in calgary is Waze. I use it daily and it almost always reports locations. I am sure to also report where i can.

For the Honda BSM falses, that is usually up to the detector. Software updates may improve the BSM falses so be sure to update your unit. While in the city, i run on a lower K mode that does a good job at filtering them until i am exactly beside them which helps identify them as falses. Other K signals like Sherifs still come one with a nice ramp but with a reduced range. Enough for me to slow down.