Are radar detectors still worthwhile?

[The BMW Guy]

Been a while since I've had a detector, let alone a ticket. But recently took a gig that will have lots of highway driving. Wondering what recommendations everyone has nowadays? Are detectors even worthwhile or do most highway cops use laser? Sometimes I see RCMP in the ditches pointing a gun (which I believe means laser?) so I'm not sure.

[ExtraSlow]

laser jammer brah.

[spikerS]

Been a while since I've had a detector, let alone a ticket. But recently took a gig that will have lots of highway driving. Wondering what recommendations everyone has nowadays? Are detectors even worthwhile or do most highway cops use laser? Sometimes I see RCMP in the ditches pointing a gun (which I believe means laser?) so I'm not sure.

I would say for the most part, no, it is not worth getting one any more. You're correct, most cops are using laser and if you get hit by a laser, when the detector goes off, it is usually too late. Sometimes you get lucky and some laser light gets scattered and you can pick it up a bit early, but, it generally doesn't happen. RCMP still use radar when driving, so you can pick that up with enough time to slow down. Not sure on the sheriffs though. And then you have to consider that going into Sask, the detectors are illegal there...

I mean, get one if you have some cash to burn, but, they are not the ticket saving device they were 10+ years ago. Tactics have changed, as have the equipment.

I would suggest that if you really want to go this route, you should consider a good detector used in conjunction with a laser jammer. That way you can detect the laser hit, get slowed down, and then turn off the jammer. I think that is about the only setup that is somewhat effective these days.

If it were me though, I wouldn't bother any more.

[Xtrema]

I would say for the most part, no, it is not worth getting one any more. You're correct, most cops are using laser and if you get hit by a laser, when the detector goes off, it is usually too late. Sometimes you get lucky and some laser light gets scattered and you can pick it up a bit early, but, it generally doesn't happen. RCMP still use radar when driving, so you can pick that up with enough time to slow down. Not sure on the sheriffs though. And then you have to consider that going into Sask, the detectors are illegal there...

I mean, get one if you have some cash to burn, but, they are not the ticket saving device they were 10+ years ago. Tactics have changed, as have the equipment.

I would suggest that if you really want to go this route, you should consider a good detector used in conjunction with a laser jammer. That way you can detect the laser hit, get slowed down, and then turn off the jammer. I think that is about the only setup that is somewhat effective these days.

If it were me though, I wouldn't bother any more.

My experience, inside the city it's pointless. Camera vans no longer emit anything. And cop all switched to laser. All detector does is early warning if emergency vehicles emitting ka band signal.

Waze has caught more cops then my detector.

[jutes]

Pretty sure detectors are legal here in Sask, I’ve had cops pass me on the highway without issue. As already mentioned, they are pointless for the city, my 10+ year old Passport 9500 still does a good job on the highway in the western provinces. I don’t do more than 20-25 over anyway.

[spikerS]

Pretty sure detectors are legal here in Sask, I’ve had cops pass me on the highway without issue. As already mentioned, they are pointless for the city, my 10+ year old Passport 9500 still does a good job on the highway in the western provinces. I don’t do more than 20-25 over anyway.

well, damn. I was wrong. I would have bet money that they were illegal there. My google-fu let me know that you are right. BC, AB, and SK are the only provinces there are legal. When I was running them 20ish years ago, I thought it was BC, AB and MB where they were legal. Maybe something has changed or my memory is worse than I thought...

Good catch, sir!

[spike98]

This topic has been beat to death many times and of course starts off with incorrect information.

In my opinion, they are worth it 100% as they have saved me from many photo radar/speed on green tickets. Paid for itself, at least twice. Youll find my comments in the other threats if you search.

[zieg]

well, damn. I was wrong. I would have bet money that they were illegal there. My google-fu let me know that you are right. BC, AB, and SK are the only provinces there are legal. When I was running them 20ish years ago, I thought it was BC, AB and MB where they were legal. Maybe something has changed or my memory is worse than I thought...

Good catch, sir!

but aren't the laser jammers illegal anyway?

edit: eh seems like a dark grey area. They are marketed as 'parking assist systems' when everyone knows that is bs, but might hold up as plausible deniability.

[spike98]

but aren't the laser jammers illegal anyway?

edit: eh seems like a dark grey area. They are marketed as 'parking assist systems' when everyone knows that is bs, but might hold up as plausible deniability.

Spikers is referring to detectors which are legal in a couple of provinces. Jammers are entirely different devices serving different purposes. Speaking on the legality of jammers...

Radar jammers are illegal as you need a license to transmit radio waves. Laser jammers are not as you do not require a license to transmit IR light. The devices themselves are entirely legal in all of canada.

The "grey" area comes from their use. Many law enforcement folks seem to think the use of the device would be obstructing the investigation of a police officer although i can't find a single documented case of someone being convicted as such. The officer would have to be in the process of obtaining evidence of a known crime before this would be considered obstruction (IANAL, my opinion) where is the act of taking ones speed is the act of determining if a crime is taking place.

You dramatically reduce the risk of even this being a consideration by slowing down, then disabling the unit for the officer to obtain a reading. Many jammers have timers built in for this function.

[zieg]

Yeah I think that's where the grey area is. I guess I can seem them arguing that jamming them long enough to stop committing the crime still counts as interfering with the investigation.

In any case, it still doesn't stop the planes/helicopters.

[Sky]

Works and always have it in my cars. Paid for itself many times over. Great for highways but in the city not so much with laser guns. I like how it reminds me to be extra careful and alert on my speed. If you don't mind some false alerts then it's worth it(can always mute it too)

[jacky4566]

Anyone remember Trapster. Fricken best app ever.

Waze and Gmaps are ok but you need to be in active navigation mode for some dumb reason.

[Disoblige]

Works and always have it in my cars. Paid for itself many times over. Great for highways but in the city not so much with laser guns. I like how it reminds me to be extra careful and alert on my speed. If you don't mind some false alerts then it's worth it(can always mute it too)
This 100%. Always have it on me when I commute on the highway. I don't use it in the city though.

[spike98]

In any case, it still doesn't stop the planes/helicopters.

I have never seen aerial enforcement nor have i heard of anyone getting a ticket for one. I am zero percent worried about the planes/helicopters.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, I know there's signs of aircraft enforcement on some roads, but I haven't seen it since I was a kid. Not convinced they bother anymore.

[killramos]

I always get a kick out of how much those signs spook people.

[D'z Nutz]

Haha yeah this thread reminded me to look up if aerial enforcement is still actually in use yesterday. I always see the signs and wondered if they're deterrents or leftover signs they never bothered to take down from decades ago cause I assumed whatever they're using now is more efficient than a stopwatch and cost effective.

Looks like it's still in use on certain highways and not just used for speeders
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/speeders-beware-alberta-highways-have-an-eye-in-the-sky

[ExtraSlow]

It's actually a great enforcement method because it's the best way to pick up dangerous, drunk or erratic drivers. Plus planes are awesome. Although I think a handful of predator drones operated from a bunker in St Albert would be cheaper

[topmade]

I have never seen aerial enforcement nor have i heard of anyone getting a ticket for one. I am zero percent worried about the planes/helicopters.

Got 2 tickets from heli . One on the way to Edmonton and one by Banff. But this was like 20+ years ago and they went all out pulling over multiple cars at a time cause someone needs to pay for that expensive heli. But I don't think it's a thing anymore either.

[killramos]

Imagine RCMP spending all that money on fuel and maintenance for a helicopter to hand out a few speeding tickets.

#governmentlogic

[suntan]

NDP briefly brought back the air enforcement.

[ExtraSlow]

Air enforcement is cool. We should do cool things. And when using fixed-wing aircraft it's not particularly expensive either.

[R-Audi]

I rely on Waze way more than my detector, but detector still gets used regularly. Doesnt work on speed traps as mentioned, but a lot of RCMP/Sheriffs still use regular radar while driving.

[D'z Nutz]

The way around air enforcement is vinyl wrap with an asphalt pattern printed on it. That would look pretty trippy from up above with shadows being cast from "nothing" haha

[killramos]

Air enforcement is cool. We should do cool things. And when using fixed-wing aircraft it's not particularly expensive either.

But a helicopter? :rofl:

[ExtraSlow]

But a helicopter? :rofl:

Well helicopters are even cooler, so the cool to cost ratio is similar.
102637

[ThePenIsMightier]

Well helicopters are even cooler, so the cool to cost ratio is similar.
102637

You droppin Air Wolf in here, & shit!!?

[Xtrema]

It's actually a great enforcement method because it's the best way to pick up dangerous, drunk or erratic drivers. Plus planes are awesome. Although I think a handful of predator drones operated from a bunker in St Albert would be cheaper

Stop making sense and give government ideas.

EDIT: $4M capex and $3400/hr opex. That's a lot of speeding tickets to keep it in the air.

[ExtraSlow]

guise!!!! moar awesomes air shait!

[suntan]

I just drive 40 everywhere.