radar detectors

are radar detectors legal in BC... i've got one, and 'if' i get pulled over, should i $hit a brick and hide it... or are they legal...

thanks
ian

answered my own question, they're legal

http://www.ccmta.ca/ENGLISH/pdf/radars.PDF

I think radar detectors are a waste of time. By the time they go off the heat has already clocked your speed. Don't see too much radar these days, touch wood. I'd sell it and save the cash towads your speeding ticket, if you are unfortunate enough to get caught. :p

Oh, I don't know about that Drum........many many people claim that they have been saved from potential tickets by them.

Some of the better ones say they can get a tone from radar as much as 6K away!:eek:

It's all here. (http://radartest.com)

I absolutly LOVE my Escort Passport 8500. It HAS saved my ass a time or two.

Most of the time it just reminds me to act civil and not thrash around to much. Other Wsie I catch my self drifting in almost every corner in town :D

We run a Radar detecter in every car we own. Then again we commute 100Kms a day

My radar has saved my ass on many occasions. I dont leave home without it. I got a Passport Escort 8500 that has seen over 100,000 kms. Zero tickets. :bow:

they're not full proof, thats for sure, but my friend had one when he went up to osoyoos, and he was doing 150 in an 80 zone, the detector went nuts, so he slowed right down (the sea-doo he was towing behind him hopped all over the place :) ) and sure enough he looks up, and there's a cop coming round the corner...

also, i see so many cops on south west marine, by UBC that i just think i'll feel a bit safer with the radar

I haven't used a radar detector in years so I guess the technoligy has improved. I trashed mine after I recieved a ticket plus they go off alot from other signals. I'm glad to hear that they work sometimes, maybe I'll get one again if they're that good.

I swear by my Valentine 1!! Its paid for its self like 3 times already! I love the way it tells you which direction the radar is coming from and how many there are. Definatly worth the investment in my opinion. You could also get a radar jammer but if you get cought with one of those your in serious trouble. ;)

Originally posted by irocz383
You could also get a radar jammer but if you get cought with one of those your in serious trouble. ;)

Why? Jammers are not illegal.:)

Drumhawk, The Valentine 1 and Passport Escort 8500 are the top two detectors on the planet. Buying anything else is a waste of money.:cool:

Thanks Kaos, I'll check them out boxing week. ;)

I was pretty sure jammers were illegal.

I wouldn't get one anyway... I think it looks dumb having a black box siting over your licence plate. Unless they've come out with some new ones.

The Valentine 1 is big money from what I remember.

Its not the ticket that I'm affraid of, its the points you have to pay for. My birthday is on Sunday (payment due) and the bill is $520 this year. Thats 8 points....also the first time I have ever had to pay for points

Andy

I remember at one time 8 points would have been a good year.:cool:

Originally posted by ianwells100
they're not full proof, thats for sure, but my friend had one when he went up to osoyoos, and he was doing 150 in an 80 zone, the detector went nuts, so he slowed right down (the sea-doo he was towing behind him hopped all over the place :) ) and sure enough he looks up, and there's a cop coming round the corner...

also, i see so many cops on south west marine, by UBC that i just think i'll feel a bit safer with the radar

i have yet to see a cop on sw marine, i drive out there every week to see my gf and i would say i tend to drive pretty fast on the nice 2 lane stretch there. :)

i have heard about lots of cops there, but still have yet to see one.

now that i have said that i bet i see one tomorrow wheni go out there.

The top 2 are the passport escort 8500 and the bel vector 990 international or 985 which is the domestic north american version.......Im sorry but Ive got your specs from the texas highway patrol as well as maryland.....Unfortunately valentine one did not even rate in the top 5.......Did I mention that bel and passport are the same company???

If anyone wants info concerning the radar detectors on the market feel free to email me......I have spent many years and thousands of dollars on junk equipment...You shouldnt have to go thru this.....

Word of advice.....

Phazer
black widow
k-9
phantom1
phantom 2
phantom3
eclipse
mirage
spirit
shadow

These models are junk and only worth about the cost of the parts.......They do not work and you will get caught....
My companys policy is this......If you have one of these units that really does work they will pay you 3x the money you spent on it with valid receipt......If they really jam laser and you can prove it you will get paid......There is your challenge

Secondly
Radar jammers are illegal in all 50 states

laser jammers are illegal only in the states and district radar detectors are illegal......
Otherwise you can use them........

Feel free to email me.......And for the record

Laser guns emit several pulses in a few seconds......It is quick but you still have a 3 second time to tap the brakes......If you do the pulses will vary and they will have to clock you until their gun has read you speed consistently........Knock on wood my detector has seaved me from every laser gun.......If you dont think they work you are wrong
They work well just drive reasonably and keep alert you will not get caught

Thanx
Jim

mr_muff, i agree that sometimes there are strectes of like 2 weeks that i see no cops... however for all of september and until 2 weeks ago i saw a cop / someone pulled over at least once every other day... scary stuff (i usually was speeding past them as i saw them, i don't know how i didn't get caught...)

also, i think the cops hit up at certain times, when lots of classes finish, i.e. 1/2-4pm, also, fridays, especially sunny ones are hot cop days... damn that lovely 2 lane section, which is asking for me to go 140...

Jim, I have a very hard time believing that the V1 didnt place in the top 5. I researched extensively before I purchased my 8500 which was an improvement from my old belltronics 940. Are the sites such as radartest.com biased then? I can see that happening but do a search on Ls1.com and people will swear on the V1 over the 8500 eight times out of ten.

What is the company you work for? What product are you endorsing because you sound like a salesman. Your info is great for the US of A but the fact is radar jammers are legal here in BC.

You info on the laser guns is great. To add to that however, laser also can not be used in a moving patrol car.......just for the record.:)

The results were based on state trooper tests in the states listed......JD Power and Associates which does not endorse any company but only the best.........For example when automotive makers want to see how they rank, JD Power is solely based on customer opinion and vehicle record......They pay thousands of dollars to get this info.......The laser tests were not done in any moving vehicle because at current time these laser guns are based on pinpoint accuracy which is achieved only when a police vehicle is stopped or they are clocking from a stand.....It is not possible to accurately clock with laser while the police cruiser is moving......

I was always taught when a good thing comes along then stick with it.......

Dont switch......If people swear by the valentine then it is their right....I only base these findings on distance over a hill, how far away radar and laser can be picked up without so many false alarms......etc......You are right about valentine one......It did pick up results before the other detectors and that means all them.....

If valentine one had passed one more simple test known as the best at detecting pop modes pop test then valentine would have ranked #1.....This was the test that brought the valentine one down.....

It means that in the places radar detectors are illegal the valentine hid itself against K band pop but the VG-2(radar detector detector managed to pop it and detect it with ka band pop

This site doesnt recommend detectors at all.....

Valentine one hailed all but it was popped by VG-2 thus bringing down consumer ranking

According to this site valentine one ranks higher but the bel and passport are undetectable.......Folks the choice is yours.....

distance difference was always less than 1/8 a mile with the exception of one test the valentine kicked ass in.......However it is not fully undetectable......

heres the webpage:
www.speedzones.com

If you dont want to read everything just scroll down to the bottom of the page....You will see the best in all categories.....
Good Luck to all in their choices
Jim

All this info is based in the US only, not in BC where radar jammers are legal ......

Jim, thx for clarifying your first post. Im assuming you work for JD Powers. I dont think there is anyone on the board with a laser jammer setup so that is really a non issue. The fact that the V1 failed pop up detector/detector tests means nothing here in BC as radar detectors are legal here.

The Valentine 1 and Escort 8500 are still the top 2 detectors that money can buy with the Beltronics 985/990 close behind. Im assuming you use one of these.

It all boils down to the cost factor.....you get what you pay for.;)

Very true.....I was born in Virginia and I researched these things for years on end because in Virginia all detectors are illegal.......So I needed one that would work without being detected.......Fortunately I can say that I use none of these......I use a laser jammer from blinder

I now live here in BC where all of the above are legal as well as in alberta and saskatchewan but are illegal in the other provinces I believe......

Anyhow good luck to all in their choices as they are all good pix.....
Thanx
James

Radartest is biased beyond belief.

Valentine 1 is the only way to go. I paid the $400 US that is costs (as well as the $136 cdn that UPS wanted at my door). Payed another $100 cdn for the concealed kit later on as well.

Performance is amazing on it. I'm always laughing when a cop is coming up because I've got him detected from way far away.

I had a Bel and a Whistler before. Don't waste your time on them.

The V1 has tons of features that the other brands don't. And they're all useful features too. Easily the most fun "mod" you can do to your car. Worth the money.

I have mine set on "A" all bogeys with X band turned off. Full mute rather than reduced volume too. V1 has magnesium case instead of plastic (keeps interference out better, and handles the sun's heat better), upgradable for the future, the arrows are easily a great feature, simple operation (one big radio button instead of rice grain buttons on top of the other detectors), auto dim/bright, something like 20 different manual settings, the suction cups are 10x better than the Bel ones I used to have......but when it comes down to it, it's the performance that makes it the hands down way to go.

Car and Driver tests detectors every couple of years. V1 has won every time since 1992.
http://www.valentine1.com/demo/demo2.asp

I beg to differ, I have a valentine one and got nailed 2 times already.....I want the bel because it has 2 things that are better.......Its undetectable unlike the valentine and it has a better field point of laser......Thats how the speedlabs tests went anyway.......besides I use a jammer......

I go on honest testing and I dont believe opinions...Thats why I bought a valentine and I still got caught.......The jammer is what I use now only......but a good friend said the same thing and that is that bel was the first workable laser detector.......That holds true......I heard nothing but good about both detectors but after the experience with valentine I sold it and will probably never use it again......

Thanx anyway
Jim

Jim, I looked over the speedzones site you posted. The V1 is immune to VG2 on Speedzones as well as on Car & Driver. It is not immune to Spectre (I know a guy in Ontario that got hit by it and had a V1). Nothing is immune to Spectre though.

As for laser performance, the Speedzone site shows that only the Valentine and Passport SR7 could detect laser at 500 ft. Looks like the Bel didn't make it on that test.

The Ka band POP mode goes to the Bel 985.....However, if you do get nabbed by the POP mode, I'd take it to court and get it thrown out. REASON WHY (http://www.valentine1.com/pop/)

You guys are getting a little to technical. I use a bel 980 and it seems to do the job. A lot of guys use the ones on the so called junk list and they swear by them. Why crap on their parade? Shouldn't a radar detector be used in conjunction with being alert as to what's going on ahead of and behind you. I found the page www2.deskmedia.com/~dev/speeding.phtml [ if it does't work search successful speeding ] quite informative. And shouldn't you pick the right time and place to speed? Places like school zones and Grand Forks B.C. are not good choices

Now that we have hashed out which one to get, the radar jammer sounds like the one I want. If it's illegal in the states it has to be great. How much and where do I find one. :usa:

Originally posted by pmatch1
Places like school zones and Grand Forks B.C. are not good choices

LMFAO!!! GF is NOT a good place to be speeding in. They always set up across from the rink those fokers. Good to see another Kootenay guy on here.:thumb:

Originally posted by KA0S
LMFAO!!! GF is NOT a good place to be speeding in. They always set up across from the rink those fokers. Good to see another Kootenay guy on here.:thumb:

Fokers? Hahahaha. Is that like a group of folk musicians?

http://www2.deskmedia.com/~dev/speeding.phtml

Just read through this. Pretty good info actually. But placing the radar detector in front of you is not a good idea. You want to get it as high as possible so you can see over hills and through the windshields of cars in front of you. Also want to have a clear view behind you if you have rear detection. No point in having your body blocking the way.

Easy tip for speeding. Drive in the right lane. Oncoming cops typically look for people in the left lane to be speeding. Next time you're driving, note the traffic coming towards you. You'll tend to notice the people in their left lanes that are going too fast but won't notice when somebody in the right lane is.

Anybody else hear the news about raising the 110 km/h limit up to 120 km/h? :) Bout time.

I heard that Gord. Also about raising the fines. A couple questions. How much does having your rear window tinted affect the detectors ability from the rear? Do cops try to bounce lazer [ or whatever ] off something metal like a license plate or rad/condensor? Good to see you here KAOS. Not many of us out here but we do have the best roads!!!:D

Originally posted by pmatch1
I heard that Gord. Also about raising the fines. A couple questions. How much does having your rear window tinted affect the detectors ability from the rear? Do cops try to bounce lazer [ or whatever ] off something metal like a license plate or rad/condensor? Good to see you here KAOS. Not many of us out here but we do have the best roads!!!:D

Tint is hit and miss. I have 5% in my back window and after driving past a school zone with the cop bouncing radar off me, I noticed that instead of driving a few blocks before my rear arrow goes off, I now drive the same few blocks but the rear arrow stops about 100 ft less. So yes it does reduce it "a bit" but the overall reduction is not something to worry about. I have the sides tinted too and honestly I didn't notice a reduction in any direction except for the one example above where I get the rear arrow past the school zone on a regular basis.

As far as shooting laser at you, yes they typically aim for the plate. This is why you have a better chance of getting out of a laser ticket if you have no front plate. They're aiming for something reflective. If you drive a 4th gen TA with it's hidden headlights, no plate, your chances of a laser ticket are actually pretty slim. :) Drive one of those old big cars with the chrome front ends and you're guaranteed to get a ticket. It's surprising how hard it is to get a laser ticket in a TA though not fool proof. Sometimes you'll drive right by the cop and he won't get a reading.

Avoid provocative license plates and bumper stickers: "How's my driving ? Call 1-800-EAT-SH!T" will not give you any breaks when stopped by an officer.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Keep your eyes peeled. Scan your rear-view mirror often while driving. Look for possible spots far ahead where a patrol car could hide. Also, watch how professional truckers drive, and slow down when they do; they’ve got far more experience detecting Smokey.

This should be added into that little writeup. I drive for a living and Ive seen more than a few get pulled over after I suddenly slowed to an "acceptable" speed. It always makes me wonder what people are thinking.:rolleyes:

lets get some more info on these radar jammers. where can i get one and how much?

Look to blinder for jammers.....Honestly there isnt much else that works efficiently for the jammer line ,it is pretty much hit and miss but STAY AWAY from Rocky Mountain Radar......You have been warned.......The only jammin they do is what they say on the box...I have used blinder for about 3 or more years and I havent been nailed yet.....Once you have one invest in a good detector as well......That way you have both ends surely covered.....

Did you know that your paint color and custom panels can affect lasers ability to read speed........Darker colors are 99.9 % impossible to detect.......Also cops dont like tinted license covers......Add some blackouts to your headlights and you are pretty much fightin the beam......For those who have white cars I feel sorry for you as they are the easiest to detect.......Cops mainly aim at your headlights and your license plate......If it isnt reflective enough they cannot read it.......Just some small advice....
Thanx
Jim

From what ive read , radar jammers do not work properly in automotive applications and are a 90 % scam like said above . Lazer jammers do work if you get a good setup like the one bap was selling or the bell like I have installed . There is tons of great info online if you search . We just went through a lazer trap by stanly park flooring it through secont to 100 plus as the lead car racing a minivan too :rolleyes: My laser jammer box went ape **** and we shut her down and drove right through . The dude started walking out into traffic and then just stopped . I also went through a lazer trap on the mary hill bypass , pulled out and passed some guy while going through it with the tunes cranked and didnt notice the box freaking out . It tells you if its from the front or from the back is pretty cool .

Weird thing is , I run it with a new bel 985 ( same as escort 8500 ) for my radar detection and When the lazer jammers are activated my bel 985 goes quiet everytime :confused: I have them mounted in my hood snorkels , one on each side and one on the rear plate and I dont run a front plate . So far no tix and I speed everywhere :)

what woudl the cost be roughly?

Originally posted by desertwind
Look to blinder for jammers.....Honestly there isnt much else that works efficiently for the jammer line ,it is pretty much hit and miss but STAY AWAY from Rocky Mountain Radar......You have been warned.......The only jammin they do is what they say on the box...I have used blinder for about 3 or more years and I havent been nailed yet.....Once you have one invest in a good detector as well......That way you have both ends surely covered.....

Did you know that your paint color and custom panels can affect lasers ability to read speed........Darker colors are 99.9 % impossible to detect.......Also cops dont like tinted license covers......Add some blackouts to your headlights and you are pretty much fightin the beam......For those who have white cars I feel sorry for you as they are the easiest to detect.......Cops mainly aim at your headlights and your license plate......If it isnt reflective enough they cannot read it.......Just some small advice....
Thanx
Jim

Actually the headlight covers would probably be worse. Since driving with your headlights on actually reduces the chance of getting a reading. However, driving with your headlights on would also attract a cop's attention I would think.

I don't like DRL's, so the issue is moot with me anyways.

Jim, any idea if the RCMP are using Xband anymore? I asked this a while back but didnt get an answer.:)

It is possible in the small town areas where the rcmp is limited and so is the funding that they are still in use, I did pick up x band a few years ago from the rcmp but I have not seen it since......Mostly I see them standing on the side of the road using laser or k band in their cars.......

I will ask a friend of mine as this is his last year before he becomes an rcmp officer.....If he doent know his professor will....

Let me get back to you on this

Thanx
Jim

Good info from desertwind and Gord except the comment about speeding in the right lane. I mentioned this to a friend of mine who is a police officer and he burst out laughing. Nothing personal Gord but your tip about speeding in the right lane is a bunch of :bs: The only good tip on speeding is to say you don't speed, that said who wants a race? :p My tip on speeding is to never admit you do. :D

Originally posted by Drumhawk
Good info from desertwind and Gord except the comment about speeding in the right lane. I mentioned this to a friend of mine who is a police officer and he burst out laughing. Nothing personal Gord but your tip about speeding in the right lane is a bunch of :bs: The only good tip on speeding is to say you don't speed, that said who wants a race? :p My tip on speeding is to never admit you do. :D

PEDAL TO THE METAL! :D

Not saying you won't get caught, but just that the cop is less likely to be scanning the right lane for speeders.

Actually in all seriousness, I was talking with Drumhawk (here) and I have to agree with him. There are good places and bad places to speed. Nobody should be going nuts in school zones and in the downtown city areas. Although it does boggle my mind when I hear about speed traps set up on the Upper Levels. :confused: WHY!!!

Yes Gord we where talking on the phone. You said you got my number off-line but I don't recall leaving it there. I enjoyed chattin with ya but please don't phone me at home anymore. You wouldn't tell me anything about you so that makes me a little suspicious of you. Please respect my wishes and keep our communicating on-line. Calling me at home without getting my number from me is bad manners and an intrusion of privacy. If I new you, had your number and new where you lived I'd feel different. Your idea of doing smoke shows in front of the police stations on Halloween cause they'll be too busy cruising the streets is totally crazy. :shock: If you are looking for trouble that bad stay away from me. Has anyone here ever met Gord's Green Z28? Lots of post and been here since 99. I'm probably over-reacting but I don't trust strangers knocking on my door or calling me when I never gave them my number. I've had all my valuables stolen before along with my 70 f-body. Not too worried now cause there's four guys over 200 lbs living under my roof. Two of us are gun club members and anyone entering my home will be shot before I ask any questons. Just a warning for any would-be theives. :alert:

OK, let's straighten this out. Drumhawk, I sent you an email earlier today with the email that you sent me with your phone number included in it. You told me to phone you sometime. You probably don't remember sending it to me because it was back in April when I bought the ticket to the 2nd Peter Gabriel show in the USA. So you did give me your number. Since Gabriel doesn't get much media coverage nowadays, I figured I'd tell you about the new DVD. I have both live albums, his POV video, Secret World on VHS and DVD (boy did they ever butcher the DVD transfer :(), tickets to the Vancouver and Houston shows, the Houston show recorded off the soundboard, a bootleg of the NY show on VHS and now the Growing Up DVD on order. So when I heard about the new DVD, I thought I'd spread the word. Hence the call. As you can tell, I'm a big Peter Gabriel fan.

I've met a few people on here. Bought Dave Grant a CD and a grey-green Z28 emblem to match his car as well as took him out for coffee before he moved to Europe. Helped CanadianZ with some LT1 Edit stuff. I've taken probably 75-100 pictures as well as some drag racing videos for Bennyboy to upload to the VIFBody gallery. Still waiting for him to post them on the net. They're on his private FTP site right now. I also picked up a business card from him a long time ago. Ran into Epyon there. We talked about his air setup. but I'm not sure if he is on CZ28 or not. I've known Mr00Jimbo online for years. Also talked to Pandamonkey on numourous occasions, usually dealing with electrical issues.

Sorry to hear about theft and getting your car stolen. I've had stuff stolen from me and know how aggrivating it can be. I hate crime!

I like to keep a low profile for myself online. Too many people post things like "I was going 120 mph on ____ highway" and then they have links to their homepage with pics of themselves, their cars, their license plates, and descriptions of their cars.....This is just asking for trouble from the police. In Houston, the insurance companies have taken to looking at car club webpages as well as going to the drag strip and taking down plate numbers. If they catch you racing at the drag strip or see pictures of you drag racing, they cancel your insurance coverage and refuse to re-insure you. You have to go through somebody else then. I think it's crazy. I mean it's legal drag racing, but that's the way it is. Luckily it isn't like that in BC.....yet.

As for the burnouts in the police parking lot. Hahahaha. That was a joke! :D Nobody is that crazy that they would go do burnouts in the police parking lot.

P.S. Rumour has it, I live in the Cobble Hill area.

Gord, sorry i didn't remember giving you my number. That was six months ago and I did forget. I didn't make the connection on the phone. Peter the great Gabriel is awesome and I've followed him since the Genesis days. I had comp tickets for his last show in Vancouver Dec.02. His band is a great influence for my drumming. Anyways, only a few here have my number and once gain sorry to act paranoid on you and thanks again for respecting my wishes. :cool:

SOAPS ONLINE
:D :bow: