How do you determine whether traffic enforcement is using LIDAR or RADAR around you?

[iPhoneEngineer]

I'm in the market, probably going all-out with a detector + jammer like the Escort 9500ci. However I first would really like to know what I'm up against--if the threat is primarily LIDAR, I might choose a more advanced jammer system even if it doesn't cleanly integrate with the detector (like the Escort combo).

My Google queries haven't turned up anything; are there sites that publish this sort of information? Thanks!

[Greenkirby21]

well, laser can only be used basically when a cop is stopped. Do you see cops stopped in hidden places or the side of the road pointing a gun at traffic?

Or do you just see cops driving around town, they use radar.

I usually see 90% radar and 10% laser. The only laser I have seen really is on the highway because it is virtually impossible to evade. Usually around here a cop is hiding on the entrance ramp where nobody cans see him. However, that is only about once a month this occurs.

If you have anymore questions let me know

Edit: I have a valentine one.

For your radar, do you do mostly highway driving or city?

If highway, you might want a long range detector like the V1 or the escort redline. If for city driving, I would go with the 8500ci or escort with gps.

[iPhoneEngineer]

Fantastic input, thanks! I hadn't realized that LIDAR was only used while stationary, but yes, given the precise aim required that makes sense. Though I suppose some might have an in-car mount aimed directly at the car ahead when the gun is at rest and could still give a reading, no?

Fortunately most of my driving is in rural areas where there actually are no police, but once I'm into town, it's primarily city driving that is the concern. There is a pretty even mix between mobile and stationary (somewhat hidden) officers. It's an affluent area (Silicon Valley), which makes me think the latest equipment could be in use--that's what I'm really not sure about.

I'm impressed by the Escort Redline but the GPS feature of the 9500i is probably pretty valuable in urban settings, so as far as the detector, it's the frontrunner at the moment.

I don't want to get too off-topic here so I'll post a separate thread about LIDAR defense specifically...e.g. how to handle an officer who knows you have a jammer, thoughts on anti-reflective coatings, etc.

[O-cha]

Lasers more expensive plus departments don't want to spend the money when they already have radar guns. As a result, at least around here, they are exclusive to the purely traffic enforcement folks. IE bike cops and some FHP.

In the end though, detectors wont save you from laser, they just tell you you are fucked, and sometimes they wont even go off even when your the one being shot.

[iPhoneEngineer]

Indeed, that's why I'm also in the market for a jammer--but it's clearly a more experimental, and in some sense "risky" mechanism of defense.

[UltimateBMW]

The only risk is the cost. It isn't illegal to jam light waves.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by iPhoneEngineer

I'm in the market, probably going all-out with a detector + jammer like the Escort 9500ci. However I first would really like to know what I'm up against--if the threat is primarily LIDAR, I might choose a more advanced jammer system even if it doesn't cleanly integrate with the detector (like the Escort combo).

My Google queries haven't turned up anything; are there sites that publish this sort of information? Thanks!

It should be written on your ticket.

From what I have read, the 'jammers' are not effective (maybe things have change, and I am not aware of it) they are not big enough or powerful enough to make enough 'noise' to screw up police equipment.

The problem with any detectors is that there has to be someone in front of you to get the cops attention so they turn their guns on, particularly liddar, it is much more of a precision tool.

[iPhoneEngineer]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

The only risk is the cost. It isn't illegal to jam light waves.

I wish it were that simple in CA: http://www.laser-interceptorusa.com/11201.html

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

It should be written on your ticket.

From what I have read, the 'jammers' are not effective (maybe things have change, and I am not aware of it) they are not big enough or powerful enough to make enough 'noise' to screw up police equipment.

The problem with any detectors is that there has to be someone in front of you to get the cops attention so they turn their guns on, particularly liddar, it is much more of a precision tool.

The reduce range, not jam them completely.

[flyinb501]

Around here it seems to be about 95% radar. I have an 8500 X50 and I couldn't be happier with it. It has saved me countless times, and driving without it now gives you the feeling of being blind. Jammers are illegal here in MN.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by iPhoneEngineer

I wish it were that simple in CA: http://www.laser-interceptorusa.com/11201.html

Wow, Texas adopted one 4 days ago.

That is extremely aggrevating.

[MisterSkiMask]

it will be interesting to see if BMW's laser headlights cause any trouble for liddar, probably not but we can hope

[iPhoneEngineer]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

it will be interesting to see if BMW's laser headlights cause any trouble for liddar, probably not but we can hope

Ha, good question--I'm sure they will coordinate with enforcement to avoid the wavelengths that could be a problem. Plus the jammers, from what I know, have to pulse in a particular way to work properly--not just full-on blind the equipment.

From my research, it looks like the ZR4 jammers included with the 9500ci installation are pretty poor compared to the latest generation jammers. Laser Interceptor with version 8.8 jammers is consistently rated among the best, usually the very best. Because it doesn't particularly integrate with any detectors like the Escort setup, my best option (and perhaps that of others especially in jammer-illegal states) is to get a clean steal install of a good detector (either Escort 9500i's "remote detector" variant /without/ the ZR4 shifters, the Beltron STiR Plus, or the V1 with remote display)...and only later figure out the jammer since it's a separate install process.