Radar detectors
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,232
Likes: 4,357
From: Chirper Island
BTW, police band usage for CAS is getting phased out for new cars in the US. I think by 2025, but I've already noticed a decrease in false alerts compared to five years ago. This is probably due to configuring outside the US, where most manufactures are no longer using police band in new cars, so US cars are being switched to other bands for uniformity.
I have to keep K, and even X band turned on, because every force uses K, and even two adjacent counties still use X.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,291
Likes: 2,361
From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
Radar units used by police - such as the Stalker - are very evolved, are very accurate and can be used both in a "moving" or stationary mode. They also can measure the speed of a vehicle traveling towards the patrol car or away from it, as well as one moving in the same direction (ahead of or behind the patrol car). I was a deputy sheriff almost two decades ago, and even our "primitive" Kustom Signals units had a great 'instant on' feature that could defeat almost any detector. The stuff that our state troopers have nowadays is phenomenal. Some troopers (and even county/city agencies) have lidar (laser) to measure speed - and it can be used to check velocities of cars coming towards the officer AND those moving away (shot from behind). It is very hard to detect because the beam is so narrow.
The "beep" from your detector will essentially tell you that you're about be be pulled over. A chat with one of our troopers and a court date might be in your future.
A good detector is better than nothing, but it can give a driver a false sense of security. Keep in mind that some agencies (especially in Pennsylvania) use VASCAR and other devices that don't "transmit" a signal to measure vehicle speeds. There is no signal to 'detect' - so you won't know what hit you until the flashing red & blue lights are in your mirrors. If you can put up with potty mouth truckers, a decent CB radio is a good countermeasure.
Whatever you do out there, don't be "out front" in a crowd of fast-moving vehicles.......but don't be the "last in line" either. When you drive a flashy car such as a Corvette, it is bound to grab the attention of traffic cops. Be careful and be safe!!
The "beep" from your detector will essentially tell you that you're about be be pulled over. A chat with one of our troopers and a court date might be in your future.
A good detector is better than nothing, but it can give a driver a false sense of security. Keep in mind that some agencies (especially in Pennsylvania) use VASCAR and other devices that don't "transmit" a signal to measure vehicle speeds. There is no signal to 'detect' - so you won't know what hit you until the flashing red & blue lights are in your mirrors. If you can put up with potty mouth truckers, a decent CB radio is a good countermeasure.
Whatever you do out there, don't be "out front" in a crowd of fast-moving vehicles.......but don't be the "last in line" either. When you drive a flashy car such as a Corvette, it is bound to grab the attention of traffic cops. Be careful and be safe!!
I knew guys that would guesstimate speed and then use the gun. You can get a ticket either way.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 1,167
From: Keswick, Virginia
Great post!!
Yes, technically, the officer is supposed to observe your speed and establish a 'tracking history' -- while the radar/laser unit is there to 'confirm' your velocity. It doesn't always work that way in real life..........but the judge will be the arbiter. 9 times out of 10, though, it will be your word against that of the officer and guess who will usually win? Not you.
A cop can also 'pace' you with the calibrated speedometer in his patrol car - no radar is even necessary. It can be done from behind as he follows you down the highway - or he can even be well ahead of you and 'match' your speed when you are following him. Radar is just another tool in their box.
Stay safe and save the wave!!
