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Limeyboy
02-19-2006, 01:09 AM
As a newcomer to USA/NorCal, I wanted to try to get some input from you seasoned residents on the following:

1) Are Radar or Lidar (lazer) detectors legal for everyday use?
2) Is Lidar even used here in the US (its very popular with police in England as a fundraiser)?
3) If Lidar is used here, what is the legality on 'infra-red garage door openers' (AKA Lidar Jammers)?
4) Do NorCal police cars carry some kind of transponder or other signal generator that is constantly transmitting? I know some UK forces have radio equipment that continuously 'talks' to the police control center (I think they use it for tracking purposes or something like that), which makes it easy (with a bit of electronic know how) to tell if a patrol car is in the vicinity.

Thanks for the help!

Matz
02-19-2006, 10:12 AM
As a newcomer to USA/NorCal, I wanted to try to get some input from you seasoned residents on the following:

1) Are Radar or Lidar (lazer) detectors legal for everyday use?
2) Is Lidar even used here in the US (its very popular with police in England as a fundraiser)?
3) If Lidar is used here, what is the legality on 'infra-red garage door openers' (AKA Lidar Jammers)?
4) Do NorCal police cars carry some kind of transponder or other signal generator that is constantly transmitting? I know some UK forces have radio equipment that continuously 'talks' to the police control center (I think they use it for tracking purposes or something like that), which makes it easy (with a bit of electronic know how) to tell if a patrol car is in the vicinity.

Thanks for the help!

Radar and Lidar detectors are completely legal in California. Jammers are NOT legal. As far as detecting a police officer's radio signal, I don't know...

StockEVO
02-19-2006, 11:55 AM
Detecting police signals are legal. Whether you can "translate" that is another story. Most law enforcement agency here in California at least nowadays scramble or encode their signal.

Jammers are illegal if you get caught. Most agency don't have jammer detector and beside if you get caught with one. It just a fix it ticket.

Eclipse
02-20-2006, 02:27 PM
Detecting police signals are legal. Whether you can "translate" that is another story. Most law enforcement agency here in California at least nowadays scramble or encode their signal.

Jammers are illegal if you get caught. Most agency don't have jammer detector and beside if you get caught with one. It just a fix it ticket.

And then you can watch every radar detector user you pass slam on their brakes and look around frantically.

Limeyboy
02-20-2006, 06:19 PM
Thanks :D

EvoRicer
02-20-2006, 06:36 PM
Radars Detectors are Illegal. I tried to buy one from a site a while ago. It takes you to a process of checking your state to see if its legal or not. I put my State in, then it took me to a page that said that they are Illegal and If you buy it and Install it, it is your responsibility and not theirs. I was wanting to purchase the Valentine 1. That's the only reason I don't have one right now.

Eclipse
02-20-2006, 06:51 PM
They are not illegal in California but they are in Canada and a few states on the east coast.

Edit: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are the only provinces where radar detectors are legal.

earlyapex
02-20-2006, 07:04 PM
Radar detectors are 100% legal in California.

Valentine One FTW.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times the V1 Tony uses has saved us going to/from Thunderhill/Buttonwillow.

StockEVO
02-20-2006, 08:47 PM
Speaking of V-1, what's a good place to buy one. The newer version with pop technology.

earlyapex
02-20-2006, 08:52 PM
I think you can only buy it from the source

http://www.valentine1.com/

Eclipse
02-20-2006, 10:08 PM
If you have an older one they'll upgrade it. You'll never need to buy another radar detector again. :lol:

The source counter and directional indicators alone have saved me from a couple of tickets.

turbotiger
02-21-2006, 11:12 AM
Lidar jammers are legal, since there's no law regarding output of light. FCC only has control over radio spectrum.

Limeyboy
02-22-2006, 11:20 AM
Lidar jammers are legal, since there's no law regarding output of light. FCC only has control over radio spectrum.

Good point. but would that then consititute 'interfering with a law enforcement officer in his duty' ... I suppose i need a lawyer on that one, but Lidar jammers are pretty easy to make.

VOD
02-22-2006, 11:58 AM
so the v1 is the best detector out there has anyone tried anything else besides the v1 for comparison?

Eclipse
02-22-2006, 09:45 PM
I used to use a few different Escort detectors through the 90's. They are high quality and sensitive as well but still at the upper end price wise. Just not quite as sensitive and they lack the number and direction of alert signals compared to the V1.

Matz
02-22-2006, 11:37 PM
V1 has won every radar shootout that I've read for over a decade. I think I bought mine back in 1991, which is a huge testament to its upgradability. I've got pretty much the latest version of hardware after sending it in for the update (just don't have POP). I think the upgrade cost is pretty reasonable, too.

methods4
02-28-2006, 11:11 AM
Radar detectors are 100% legal in California.

Valentine One FTW.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times the V1 Tony uses has saved us going to/from Thunderhill/Buttonwillow.

Word to yer mutha. This thing has definitely paid itself off by letting me drive 140mph everywhere I go without getting caught.

V1 has direction arrows which are very helpful. They let you know if the cop is in front or behind you. I got mine last year so I think it's the latest one. It's thinner than the old model V1s.