Do I need a Laser Jammer?

[RoNSX]

I have searched and read numerous postings and several articles on radar/laser detectors and laser jammers.

When it comes to rader/laser detection, I've jumped on the bandwagon and ordered my Valentine 1 with remote display. (Hope it arrives before I leave 10/10/03 for NSXPO).

I've now turned my attention to laser jammers. I've read what radartest.com has to say about 6 of the more prominent players. They conclude that the Escort Shifter ZR3 is the best unit, and basically say that the Lidatek LE-20 performed so badly that it must have been broken. Nonetheless, it seems the majority of those expressing an opinion on the subject on this site recommend the Lidatek.

Why?

Also, I've come to understand that with laser detectors like the V1, that by the time you get an alert, its too late to slow down (should you be speeding) to avoid detection. What I want to know is this, I live in S. Cal., those of you with laser detectors (such as V1), how often do you find that CHP or other law enforcement agencies are hitting you with laser? (I'm assuming the units alert on laser differently than on radar)

Anyone in S. Cal. ever get pegged with laser?

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I don't have any experience with the laser jammer, but the recent consideration of it leads me talking to one sales rep of the Escort. (at a tent sale/car show this summer.)

Here is the scenerio of most people encounter the laser/lidar...
You are driving down the road, your detector catch the laser beam, and while you stomp the brake and try to bring the car under speed limit... Half of the time you are done, the officer already got your speed even before you touch the pedals.. So.. the other half of the time, the officer didn't get the reading. (maybe too much coffee!! ) So he will keep "trying" to tag you, it won't too surprised him if he needs to do it 2 to 3 times to get your speed. So, there goes that sometime we "escape" from the laser. (yes, I had been stopped by the cop who used laser for 2 times, and I also escaped from that for couple times too...)

Now the Escort unit is that it interferes the laser reading... However at the same time, it will alert you that it's doing its work and jamming the laser gun, and you would need to react and slow down to the speed limit, as soon as that happens you "disable" the jamming, now the officer is probably on their second / third time, boom, he got your legal reading, you car passed by and "you win!!"..

This is what I heard from the guy trying to sell me the unit on that day, but I think it's a pretty brilliant idea...

 

[bacon]

First of all if you are going to get one of those laser/radar jamming devices make sure they are legal in your state...they are illegal in a lot of them....secondly if the officer is using his radar or laser gun to his advantage your very expensive detectors are useless, i am referring to normal radar/laser detectors.....when i turn my unit on i immediately get a reading on your vehicle...by the time you hit the brakes its too late...I had a buddy who had one of those jammers though and when i tried to lock a speed on him i could not get a reading...unfortunatley for him they are illegal here so if he gets caught he could have bigger problems...the reason your detectors are getting readings is because the officer just leaves his unit on which is constantly sending out a signal....most experienced traffic guys keep the unit in standby mode and only turn it on right when they see you and a speed pops up immediately......i will be honest.....i let a lot of speeders go...especially if they have a good story... but i never let the guy go that has the radar/laser detector on his dash...

 

[Zishan]

For future reference, what’s a good story?!? j/k
How's........."I needa peeeee!!!!"

 

[nkb]

First of all if you are going to get one of those laser/radar jamming devices make sure they are legal in your state...they are illegal in a lot of them....secondly if the officer is using his radar or laser gun to his advantage your very expensive detectors are useless, i am referring to normal radar/laser detectors.....when i turn my unit on i immediately get a reading on your vehicle...by the time you hit the brakes its too late...I had a buddy who had one of those jammers though and when i tried to lock a speed on him i could not get a reading...unfortunatley for him they are illegal here so if he gets caught he could have bigger problems...the reason your detectors are getting readings is because the officer just leaves his unit on which is constantly sending out a signal....most experienced traffic guys keep the unit in standby mode and only turn it on right when they see you and a speed pops up immediately......i will be honest.....i let a lot of speeders go...especially if they have a good story... but i never let the guy go that has the radar/laser detector on his dash...

One of the reasons radar detectors still work (and this is one of the concepts they were designed for), even when the officer is experienced, and using "instant-on" mode, is that the officer is periodically using the radar gun to check other people (assuming other cars are on the road). You may be a 1/2-mile down the road, with a decent radar detector, you will probably catch some of the "spray", with enough time to slow down. If you're the only car on the road, or the officer is very selective, then all bets are off.

And, that's where laser is so deadly. The beam is so narrow, that the dispersal, or spray, is so minimal (or non-existent) that you will get no early warning.

Here is a good link, which was discussed in an earlier thread: http://www.radartest.com/index.asp

I don't know the legality of laser jammers, but I would think that they are illegal. However, they do work (at least some of them) in that they jam the laser gun long enough, while letting you know you're being lasered, to give you time to slow down.

 

[nkb]

For future reference, what’s a good story?!? j/k
How's........."I needa peeeee!!!!"

I'm sure this varies greatly by each individual officer, but I would be curious as to what stories have gotten you to let people go with a warning.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I'm sure this varies greatly by each individual officer, but I would be curious as to what stories have gotten you to let people go with a warning.

Pretty girl driving an NSX??

bacon, I'm by no means assulting your profession...

 

[NSXpnsv]

Originally posted by bacon i will be honest.....i let a lot of speeders go...especially if they have a good story... but i never let the guy go that has the radar/laser detector on his dash... [/B]

C'mon Bacon, don't leave us hangin'. Give us some examples of "good stories".

 

[bacon]

well to answer one of the questions the hottie driving the nice car always gets a ticket...let me explain...the way i look at it they have gotten their way their entire life and they expect to get out of the ticket....i will let the homely girl go with a warning before the hottie but thats just me though....exceptions would be if they have a story that makes me laugh........i can't write anyone that makes me laugh its just a personal thing...after they make me laugh i feel some sort of friendly bond.....i cant think of any off hand but it has been a while since traffic enforcement was my thing....i get into different cycles...i don't like writing tickets so my big thing i do now is give them the option of the ticket or the lecture and everyone so far has opted for the latter...

 

[nkb]

bacon,
I hope you give the women who cry a ticket every time.

It pisses me off every time I hear about women who get out of tickets because they start crying. I would probably get dragged out of the car and beaten if I tried that.
Meanwhile, I basically get a ticket everytime I get stopped (even though I am always courteous and cooperative).

And then insurance companies will base my premium on statistics that show that men speed more than women. Drives me nuts.

 

[Andy Buzz]

I offer many laser jammers in my store and personally use in my 97 NSX. The K40 laser diffuser, Blinder, and Escort shifter are the models that I sell.

If anyone is interested private to [email protected] and I will quote you a good deal.

I also carry the G Tech horsepower calculator so you can monitor performance.

Need anything let me know.
Andy

 

[RoNSX]

Laser Jammers illegal in CA

This weekend I drove to the track where the NSXPO event was taking place. It was about 500 miles each way and took me from Southern CA into the Northern territory. Plus I drove around N. CA about 600 miles. Over the course of the trip countless speed limit signs stated "Radar Enforce" or some variation of a radar warning, but not a single sign said anything about Laser enforcement. Does this mean CA doesn't use Laser?

My V1 didn't alert on laser during the entire trip.

Also, took a few moments this morning and found that Laser Jammers are illegal in CA, its an infraction. This includes any device designed for or capable of jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling or otherwise interferring with radar or laser. If you have four of more of these devices its a misdemeanor.

 

[RPM217]

Re: Laser Jammers illegal in CA

This weekend I drove to the track where the NSXPO event was taking place. It was about 500 miles each way and took me from Southern CA into the Northern territory. Plus I drove around N. CA about 600 miles. Over the course of the trip countless speed limit signs stated "Radar Enforce" or some variation of a radar warning, but not a single sign said anything about Laser enforcement. Does this mean CA doesn't use Laser?

My V1 didn't alert on laser during the entire trip.

Also, took a few moments this morning and found that Laser Jammers are illegal in CA, its an infraction. This includes any device designed for or capable of jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling or otherwise interferring with radar or laser. If you have four of more of these devices its a misdemeanor.

The trick in using a "diffuser", or "jammer" is once it has been activated, and you "get the message" get your speed down as quickly as possible, and turn off the device. This way, law enforcement is able to get a reading on your car (now doing a "legal" speed) and you avoid pissing off the "law" with your device. If you just use your V1, and get hit by a laser, just pull off to the side of the road, and wait to receive your ticket. Detection with a laser detector will not give you enough notice to avoid a ticket, sooooo, whether you choose to use more efficient means of avoiding this situation or not, is up to you!

 

[Andy Buzz]

The Blinder comes with a switch to momentarily turn off jammer to allow the officer to read the adjusted speed.

 

[tararan]

jammers are good but illegal..

laser detector is no good cause once it beeps that means you have been zapped...

 

[Andy Buzz]

Speeding is illegal. The solution is to either slow down or get a laser jammer to avoid getting caught. If you pass a speed zone doing 100mph you may still get caught if you dont slow down but I can tell you from experience that I use a Blinder in my NSX, and I have personally hit many city laser traps doing 60 in a 35 numerous times without a pull over.

I have a few Blinders in stock and many Escort Shifters. The Blinder rep drove my car thru a trap with me operating the laser gun. I could not lock in a speed reading. I have sold many Escort shifters and have had no complaints. The Blinder rep says that he can read thru a Shifter. I have not confirmed this yet.

 

[RoNSX]

Price?

What's the price for the Blinder and Shifter?

 

[Andy Buzz]

The moderator has requested no quotes, therefore feel free to call me at 813-882-8477 when you are ready and I can put together a great deal for any NSX prime member.

Andy

 

[ONEADAM12]

A LITTLE ADVICE

FIRST... laser and readr jammers ARE illeagal in California !!!! SECOND.. it's not the radar/laser that gets you the ticket... to be radar/laser certified in California, an officer has to be certified in visual speed estimations.... what that means is an officer must be able to estimate the speed of your car visually and be within 5mph.... after he does that, he CONFIRMS his estimation of your speed with the radar/laser unit.... then he has completed the TRACKING HISTORY of your car..... what that also means, is the officer doen't even NEED a radar/laser unit to issue the citation.... without using the radar/laser unit to confirm your speed, a speed estimation ticket comes down to how well the officer presents his trainig and testimanoy in court should you choose to challege the citation... THIRD.... a GOOD traffic officer will be able to reccognize you have a detector or jammer based on his visual estimation and the eroneous reading he will get on his radar/laser unit... also the sudden nose dip of your car when you hit the brakes is a big clue too.... therefore, radar/laser detectors/jammers are pretty much ineffective.... i am sure you MAY get away with it once in a while, but the penalties for getting caught with one is pretty spendy !!!! FINALLY... if you choose to speed, and get caught, take it like a man and pay the fine, go to traffic school and learn the lesson.....because, if you got the ticket, face it.. you desrved it..... and if you think the cop is LYING just to give YOU a ticket, ask yourself this, would you throw your reputation,carrer, livelyhood, and life all away for a speeding ticket ????? I'll get off my soapbox now... hopefully I answered some questions for you... PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRIVE SAFE

 

[Andy Buzz]

Driving safe and speeding have nothing to do with one another. In proper conditions, driving in excess of the posted limit has very little to do with safety and much to do with the fact that the pokice department benefits on issueing tickets. The biggest expense relates to the increase in insurance premiums and the aggravation of getting stopped.during the pleasure of speeding.

The interuption of the high of speeding seems violating. Road racing is definitely unsafe. Most laser traps are on open stretches of highway where speed has little correlation to safety.

 

[racerX]

Great Friendly Debate. What a great country we live in.

 

[ONEADAM12]

Just a little fact for you Andy.... Police departments that issue the citations receive VERY little $ from the fines issued from speeding tickets !!!!!!!!!!!!! Most of the money goes to the county courts, another chunk goes to the state POST ( training for police), and a little goes to the DMV...... I suggest you stick to what you know (selling illeagal equipment to unknowing buyers) and leave the legal knowledge to those that have it !!!!!!!!!! The last time I looked, this was still a country of LAWS .... We have them for a REASON !!!!!!! and like I said, if you get a ticket, stand up like a man and accept responsibility for your actions.... It may just get you a warning from the cop instead of the ticket !!!!!

 

[bacon]

In Georgia we are required to be within 3mph with our visual estimation or we cannot get our certificates to operate the radar or laser............I guess I should clarify I think P.O.S.T. police officer standards and training requires 5 mph but my department requires 3 mph...........a case this week lost the radar part of the ticket because the soliciter didn't have us bring the right documents to court but won the case because of visual estimation...........so go ahead and spend spend away........my advice to all of my fellow nsxers...........don't be the lead car and stay out of the number 1 lane.........and if you are the second car don't be right behind the first or you are going to get grabbed too.....but to be politically correct just slow down a little.......i mean we won't even look at you if you are doing 10-14 over.........and as oneadam12 says you are sadly mistaken if you think the police department sees any money....in our county the few cents on the dollar that is given to the county goes into a general fund it doesn't even go the the police department it goes to fix roads...

 

[RPM217]

no disrespect intended

Just a little fact for you Andy.... Police departments that issue the citations receive VERY little $ from the fines issued from speeding tickets !!!!!!!!!!!!! Most of the money goes to the county courts, another chunk goes to the state POST ( training for police), and a little goes to the DMV...... I suggest you stick to what you know (selling illeagal equipment to unknowing buyers) and leave the legal knowledge to those that have it !!!!!!!!!! The last time I looked, this was still a country of LAWS .... We have them for a REASON !!!!!!! and like I said, if you get a ticket, stand up like a man and accept responsibility for your actions.... It may just get you a warning from the cop instead of the ticket !!!!!

I see from your profile that you're a police person, I do not see any details of NSX ownership, you may or may not own one. I think that if you did own one, you'd know that what some other cars can get away with (5MPH over the limit) we can't. I've been stopped for no reason (doing nothing other than being in the car). The most important thing is to drive safely at all times, that being said, speeding in excess of the posted speed limit, isn't limited to NSX's or any marque for that matter, nor is it always unsafe. "Speed traps" are just that, usually set up on roads where people will drive in excess to the posted limit, and yes, it is a large revenue generator for many towns. The biggest expense to the speeder is the change they face in insurance premiums. I for one, don't speed on the streets in towns and neighborhoods that I drive through, I do speed on the highway when road and traffic conditions permit. I have a V1 (remoted in mirror) and Blinders in the front bumper. I feel that since the "traps" are out there, I will take advantage of the technology available to help protect me from receiving points and insurance premium increases. If I get stopped for any violations, I will as always be respectful and courteous. If I was doing the violation, I expect to pay the consequences. That being said, enough preaching on both sides. I'd rather have the police out there to "preserve and protect" than to hand out speeding tickets on highways that were made for cars to go 70-80 miles an hour on safely, but have an arbitrary speed limit of 55 mph. I hope that everyone on this forum would be respectful of any officer of the law, acting responsibly in the enforcement of their sworn duties.

 

[bacon]

I feel for you being pulled over for no reason unfortunately that too is against the law and you should complain to a supervisor...there must be probable cause to make the stop...and to answer your question i have a 1993 white 5 speed and used to have a 92 red five speed...not at the same time could not afford to have two ...really cant afford to have one but i love sports cars and i love the nsx.....at present as i have mentioned in a previous post i also have a 2003 350z that i reallllllllllly need to sell because i cannot afford to make these two car payments and the nsx must stay ..........but one must go or my wife is going to kill me......but it is nice that we can agree to disagree and still get along..........to answer your last question about fighting the real crime and leaving the speeders and red light runners and stop sign etc. alone i hear that one as much as what donut do i like best.......but you must understand that most large departments have a unit that there only function is traffic enforcement so speeding, etc. is their job....we have a whole group of other guys that takes care of the violent crimes and the crimes of people trying to steal our beautiful cars......our traffic unit consists of appoximately 50 officers and that is there only job so when people ask them dont they have anything better to do .......no they really don't..........the best thing i can tell everyone on the forum and what i tell people when i give presentations is even if you feel you are right and we are wrong which is perfectly fine dont get into a pissing contest on the side of the road all you are going to do is get more paper to sign....take it to court and let the judge decide.......i personally have let more drivers go than i ever hope to write a ticket too but i have never let the guy or girl go that show absolutely no respect........in this job it is very important to treat people as you would want to be treated......and until you start with the attitude you get treated as i would treat my mom..........anyways i know we will never be popular with the driving public but oh well......