Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Radar

Hmmm, possibly a clean car? I have had this happen to me a few times. While true that 99% of true Laser readings are a result of your car being clocked, there are times when that is not the case.
The real reason (for me) to use the Lidar warning is Highway use. If you get hit when hauling "the mail" you become aware and can take evasive action. Now, mind you, I am not saying "run" from the officers. That would be illegal and merely mentioning it could lock this thread. I am saying that before his lights become visible to you, you can hastily exit the highway as to not be in his/her direct line of sight.
This has saved me thousands if dollars.

Even if a scanner is illegal, there's the case of:

1)You have an amateur radio license

2)Your amateur radio transciever happens to also include scanner functions.

In that case, I think that merely showing your FCC license to the officer seeking to bust you for posession of a scanner will get them off your back.

Brian

A lot of the laws are a bit vague. They say scanners are only illegal if used in the pepretation of a crime. I guess an officer could argue that speeding qualifies. But they said people getting ticketed for scanners is rare to begin with.

I'm getting the V1

Sandman, the odds of getting a false within a few hundred yards of a real lidar trap are as equally long as hitting the lottery. This occurred in Ohio, when they had just started using lidar, so I'm sure it was unfamiliarity with the use of the equipment that cause the stray beam. As OH has gotten more experience with the units, there has been no true warning in any of my other trips through their friendly state (at least 6 times a year, PA to Toledo and back on I-80).

You didn't quote the part of my post where I agreed that getting a laser warning is pointless because in every other situation I have encountered, my V1 going off meant it was too late to slow down. I'd say at least 10 times this has happened.

However, my detector has alerted every time I have been targeted with lidar (it's line of sight, so I see him and he sees me), so there must be some reason for that, because I don't have a laser detector antenna mounted on my front bumper (PA doesn't require a front license plate to be displayed) or my headlights (second most favorite place to target, correct?). Just right in the middle of my windshield.

I'm agreeing with you here, for the most part. I'm not saying it is likely, or probable, or that you can even count on ever receiving a true lidar warning (before it is your turn to be clocked). I am saying that it can happen, but only through operator error or carelessness on the part of the officer using the equipment. When done right, lidar enforcement gives zero warning to a target motorist. You know that and I know that.

I agree with what you wrote, just that it would have to be a one in a million shot is all. I don't want people thinking that they will automatically detect Lidar traps well ahead of the "danger zone" as is the case with radar. The two are simply different technologies, and do not even use the same operational principles (timed light pulses vs. Doppler shifted radio signal).

oooh, that is damn sneaky. Sometimes I'm more relaxed about speed when an officer is in front of me (if there's no rear antenna). I never considered the possibility of shooting the mirror, heh. I'll have to remember that trick.

As for lidar, I've seen active lidar jammers on the market. They are legal because the spectrum is not FCC-regulated. Those jammers actually work, but since the dispersion is so narrow it, mounting location is important. The grille is the only place that would give you a fighting chance. Personally, I'd save my money and take my chances, but if you want to go all out with the electronic warfare...

Lidar is brutal, but it has limitations. The biggest is that the enforcer has to be stationary, so traps are usually in plain sight from a ways off. If they ever perfect moving lidar, I'm ending my speeding career.

Concerning the scanner issue: I think some of the legality is really dependent on an officer. Being that it's a gray area.
Example: A few months back (mid march) I was driving home for my upcoming spring break. I had my friends handheld scanner and 12 volt power cord in the passanger side footwell, I wasn't using the unit as the radar detector was ocupying the cigarteete lighter socket. Anyway, so I am driving home at about 3am on a sunday morning (prime drunk driver time) and minding my own business on the interstate with the cruise set at 77 (in a 65 zone). I notice a car gaining on me fairly easily in my rear view and decide that after it passes me I will follow it and make some better time. Once the vehicle catches up with me, I notice that it's not passing me and thus must be a cop pacing me, so I kick off the cruise and he lights everything up. After pulling to the side of the road and being asked if I had been drinking (I had not) I was given the 3rd degree about the scanner, despite how I calmly explained to the officers that I couldn't have been using the scanner as the radar detector was plugged in. I got a ticket (82 in a 65 somehow) and was sent not-so-merrily on my way.

Concerning lidar: Lidar is the same thing as laser I presume? I got hit with it once and as everyone points out it's very quick and very accurate but not ideal for every situation (the cop was OUTSIDE the car steadying the gun).

Rye lou, I think you made the right choice with the detector, just don't be one of the dumb people who thinks it guarantees them not to get stopped :rolleyes:

-Pete

I have a $100 Cobra and it has saved me plenty of times. That is all I have to say on the matter.

I don't know of any actual Lidar jammers (not snake oil). In order for that to work, you would have to know exactly when and from where the officer shoots the Lidar gun. I suppose when they invent time travel, that will become possible... :rolleyes: