OT: are radar detectors legal?

[antiant]

my girlfriend gave me a valentine v1 for christmas and i was curious if its legal to use in CA. all input is appreciated, thanks.

 

[raskal311]

Those things dont work too well, too many other things can set it off. But I do believe they are legal.

 

[KWoo008]

Man... That's a great present!! I'm pretty sure it is legal in California but don't quote me. My friend had one in his car when we took a LA to SF road trip and it worked like a charm! I drove the entire leg back from SF to LA on Hwy 5 and it sounded off everytime there was a cop (way before we could see him/her) with only one false alarm (at least we never saw any signs of law enforcement).

 

[KWoo008]

I think the V1 we were using was an older model as well (version 1.7?). I drove on Hwy 5 so there wasn't much interference of any sort. I didn't get a chance to experience it while driving within city limits, but I hear V1s do an excellent job of weeding out false alarms. Just give your local police precinct and the CHP a call and find out for sure.

 

[bromion]

Legal everywhere in the US except Virginia and DC according to AAA.

 

[antiant]

nice, thanks for the input guys. i just dont want to get pulled over and have to throw it behind me before the cop sees.

 

[GinaSofia]

I got one too

I got one too

..my neighbor who is an officer said that by the time it alerts me,I'll already be caught by the traffic cop's radar gun.

 

[debo]

A lot of local agencies are using Laser now, which the V1 will detect, but only within "line of sight". Basically, it's too late by the time you get the warning. It's still one of the best detectors though

 

[KWoo008]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8857645#post8857645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by antiant
nice, thanks for the input guys. i just dont want to get pulled over and have to throw it behind me before the cop sees.

V1 offers a remote mount that allows you to easily conceal it. Looks way better than having it mounted on your windshield with suction cups. I also saw another one on eBay that was even slicker but it looks a little DYI if you didn't mount it in the right place.

 

[GTR]

Laser not radar.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_lidar04.37661bd.html

SteveU

 

[NALCOMIS]

Only lazer/radar jammers are illegal. detectors are ok.

 

[bromion]

Regarding laser, if your detector goes off, it is likely too late. This is because the beam is very narrow, thus the only way your detector will see it is if it's pointed right at you.

Radar guns emit in all directions when operating, so your detector can pick it up even if you are not in the cop's sights. Some can even detect a radar gun up to a mile away on a nice flat highway.

 

[lemec]

There are radar and laser scatterers/deflectors, those require the police to try and hit you a few times before getting any reading on your speed. If you used one in conjunction with a radar detector you'd be fine. They are illegal in a few states, not sure if California is one of them....I have two friends with them, out of state, and they say they work great.

 

[AQUA951]

I heard nothing but good things from the V1 on the M3 forum. I'm planning on getting one for my M3 as well!!!