radar/laser detectors

[shagkie]

How come costco.ca is selling radar/laser detectors? Isn't it illegal to own one in Canada?

[darkseid2k]

It is illegal to use a radar detector in Ontario - only a few provinces allow it. Assuming it's concealed well enough; it's easy to live with one in the car.

[darklord]

Any good recommendations for detectors? I do think that it is a good investment in Ontario...

[schnell325]

Sask, Alberta and BC still allow them. Thank goodness.

[darkseid2k]

Originally Posted by darklord

Any good recommendations for detectors? I do think that it is a good investment in Ontario...

I personally use the Beltronics STi Driver. It's hardwired and have had no issues with it. Saved me the 2nd day I had it - picked up a radar checkpoint close to .5KM away around a few curves Only gripe I have (not sure if it's a BMW issue) but I had to have a power switch installed in the M3 as the power is always on, even after powering off. When it was in my Audi S5, it would shut off with the ignition. Might take it to another electronics store to take a look but aside from that - it's well worth it; with Ontario's speed rules, it's the only way to really enjoy the car.

[shagkie]

What are the penalties if you get caught with one in ontario?
I don't know man, with all these radar/laser detector detector that the cops have out there it seems risky heheh.

[darklord]

I 'think' the new radar's out their have anti-radar detectors built in...I think the cost of penalty is well worth the possibility of a 7 day suspension and $1K plus fine!!

[kmax1980]

i heard that if your insurance company sees a conviction of using a radar detector in ontario they jack your premiums through the roof as they see you as the type to try and "evade the law"...

im also on the fence about getting one of these

[montreal red]

its illegal here in quebec but i still use it anyway... havent got caught using it yet... i know someone else that got caught using one and he was given a speeding ticket for speeding and the detector was confiscated...but nothing else other than that.

[montreal red]

if you want to be fully protected, you also need a laser jammer on top of a radar detector since laser is becoming more and more popular here in canada. i want a laser jammer installed on my car. the price is steep (still trying to save up for one ) but worth it imo.

[darklord]

Red what kind are you using? And would you recommend it or another?

[OddJobs]

Radar is still used alot on the highways and Laser is becoming the method of choice in cities. The "laser detector" capabilites built into radar detectors are pretty much useless. Buy the time you have dected the laser you have a ticket, unless you are lucky and pick up some scatter from someone infront of you being clocked.

The photo vans out here are radar(Ka Band) which is the only reason to use a dectector in the city.

For laser protection, you need a "jammer". Some of the more popular ones are, Blinder, Laser Interceptor, Laser Pro Park, and Escort ZR4. Jammers need to be installed. The dector/jammer heads have to be on the front of the car close to the headlights and front lic plate(if required in your Prov.)

I have been lasered once since having my jammer. I was alerted buy my jammer and my windshield mounted dector didn't make a sound!!

Originally Posted by darkseid2k

Only gripe I have (not sure if it's a BMW issue) but I had to have a power switch installed in the M3 as the power is always on, even after powering off. When it was in my Audi S5, it would shut off with the ignition. Might take it to another electronics store to take a look but aside from that - it's well worth it; with Ontario's speed rules, it's the only way to really enjoy the car.

You need to have your installer change it to a "Keyed Circuit". There is a spare one in your fuse box in the top row.

Odd Jobs

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by OddJobs

For laser protection, you need a "jammer". Some of the more popular ones are, Blinder, Laser Interceptor, Laser Pro Park, and Escort ZR4. Jammers need to be installed. The dector/jammer heads have to be on the front of the car close to the headlights and front lic plate(if required in your Prov.)

+1 on this
so far the laser jammers that are getting excellent reviews are Laser Interceptor and Laser Park Pro... both are more advanced than the competition... i am getting laser interceptor myself and installing it when the weather gets slightly warmer (garage is too cold right now).

[darklord]

Anybody know any installer in T.O for this stuff??

[OddJobs]

Originally Posted by montreal red

+1 on this
so far the laser jammers that are getting excellent reviews are Laser Interceptor and Laser Park Pro... both are more advanced than the competition... i am getting laser interceptor myself and installing it when the weather gets slightly warmer (garage is too cold right now).

I have been using the Laser Interceptor since the summer, and have only had one laser encounter so far.

I was doing around 60ish in a 50 zone. Buy the time I slowed down and turned it off the PO was already lowering the gun. So I either wasn't going fast enough to warrent a ticket, successfully jammed the gun untill it was visually obvious that I wasn't speeding, or the gun finally "punched though" after I slowed below the PSL. I like to think it was one of the last two since you do not get alot of sympathy driving with the BMW badge.

I was quite pleased with the performance since the jammer heads were covered with road grime.

A number of times I have gone out of my way to go through laser traps, just a hair over the limit. I am either not going fast enough to get lasered, or they nab someone else. Everytime, my windshield mounted radar/laser detector hasn't made a sound.

Odd Jobs

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by OddJobs

I have been using the Laser Interceptor since the summer, and have only had one laser encounter so far.

I was doing around 60ish in a 50 zone. Buy the time I slowed down and turned it off the PO was already lowering the gun. So I either wasn't going fast enough to warrent a ticket, successfully jammed the gun untill it was visually obvious that I wasn't speeding, or the gun finally "punched though" after I slowed below the PSL. I like to think it was one of the last two since you do not get alot of sympathy driving with the BMW badge.

I was quite pleased with the performance since the jammer heads were covered with road grime.

A number of times I have gone out of my way to go through laser traps, just a hair over the limit. I am either not going fast enough to get lasered, or they nab someone else. Everytime, my windshield mounted radar/laser detector hasn't made a sound.

Odd Jobs

thats good to hear... laser interceptor seems to be having great success so far.

[darklord]

Would they stop you for doing 60/50?

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by darklord

Would they stop you for doing 60/50?

60kph in a 50 zone? i doubt so... u have to be going at least 65 to be pulled over.. well at least thats the usual case.

[OddJobs]

Originally Posted by darklord

Would they stop you for doing 60/50?

I am not sure how fast I was going exactly, but it wasn't 50. At that speed you feel like your walking. I would guess it was around 65. Soon after hearing the alarm I was on the brakes so we will never know for sure.

Odd Jobs

[M3 Montreal]

I was always under the impression that its easy for cops to know when/if your using a laser jammer because their reading gets all scewy (numbers jumping all over)which is a huge tipoff.

Is that the case or was I misinformed?

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

I was always under the impression that its easy for cops to know when/if your using a laser jammer because their reading gets all scewy (numbers jumping all over)which is a huge tipoff.

Is that the case or was I misinformed?

The idea is to slow down as soon as the jammers go off and then turn off the jammers. The cop supposedly figures he got a misreading the first time and by the time he gets a good reading (jammers off) you are no longer speeding. Sound good in theory at least.

CA

[OddJobs]

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

I was always under the impression that its easy for cops to know when/if your using a laser jammer because their reading gets all scewy (numbers jumping all over)which is a huge tipoff.

Is that the case or was I misinformed?

Depends on the gun.

Some guns just give an error code. Some give jamming codes. The Lasar Atlanta is one that gives a jamming code.

Regardless, laser jammers are not illegal in Canada and MOST states. Radar jammers on the other hand, are illegal. Good luck getting any sypathy for the officer however.

Odd Jobs.