Radar and Laser Detection - what works in PA?

**thePurist** · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 05:16 PM

I had escort 8500 x50 for few months but only clocked a cop once, and given that I don't speed all that much I just gave it away... My impression was that they either don't have radars any more, or use lasers, or both... for some reason I kept driving by one cop after another without a beep.

Do you have any experiences with laser shifters around PA and NJ? Do you know if lidars are used often? Any stats you know of with regard to breakdown of conventional radar vs lidar equipment available to cops in these states?

thanks!

**Gator Bite** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 05:47 PM

Lidar is getting more and more popular. In my opinion, using any detector without active lidar countermeasures will only increase your chances of getting a ticket as they will only provide you with false confidence. I am routinely saved from lidar traps by my Escort SRX.

I would recommend either an Escort 9500i + ZR4 or a new 9500ci.

I'm short on time right now, but I will provide more info later.

**thePurist** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 06:20 PM

Thanks Gator, 9500ci is the one I was looking at... As far as confidence.. I don't think I'll ever get my confidence back after I got ticketed by a cop who confessed he didn't have a radar (or lidar), but was pretty certain I was speeding..

That's one of the things I never understood about radars, law and detectors - if they see you, say, speeding about 90 in 55, but don't clock you for whatever reason - will they just wave you "nice car..", and not do anything? Do they have to show you a proof that they have your "number"

?

**Gator Bite** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thePurist

Thanks Gator, 9500ci is the one I was looking at... As far as confidence.. I don't think I'll ever get my confidence back after I got ticketed by a cop who confessed he didn't have a radar (or lidar), but was pretty certain I was speeding..

That's one of the things I never understood about radars, law and detectors - if they see you, say, speeding about 90 in 55, but don't clock you for whatever reason - will they just wave you "nice car..", and not do anything? Do they have to show you a proof that they have your "number"

?

This is a myth. They don't have to show you anything, and asking to see the gun is essentially the same thing as calling the officer a liar, which is likely to have a less than desirable affect on his/her attitude.

An officer can write you a ticket without radar or lidar backup, but in court they are almost always dismissed if you fight them and ask the right questions. They don't stick well.

The 9500ci just started shipping, and Escorts last day of sponsorship is today. We are discussing renewal with them and hope to test this new product soon. Sit tight.

**chows4us** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thePurist

My impression was that they either don't have radars any more, ... Any stats you know of with regard to breakdown of conventional radar vs lidar equipment available to cops in these states?

Watch "Speeders" some time on TrueTV if you get that channels. Its virtually all laser.

***catchacab*** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 06:54 PM

In Pennsylvania most local cops are not allowed to use lidar or radar. There is a state law stating that only police dept. with X amount of officers are allowed to use it. This has limited use to the State Troopers, Philadelphia and some other larger cities in PA.

**thePurist** · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catchacab

In Pennsylvania most local cops are not allowed to use lidar or radar. There is a state law stating that only police dept. with X amount of officers are allowed to use it. This has limited use to the State Troopers, Philadelphia and some other larger cities in PA.

reeeeeeeeeealy... I'm in Bucks... so that answers it. Thanks catchacab!

**Gator Bite** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 05:13 PM

Holy cr*p. I drove to Philly and back yesterday from Connecticut. I took my Cayman S on this 350 mile round trip. Anyway, the NJ State police were handing out tickets as if they could achieve world peace by doing so. My God, I was half wondering if they were getting a commission or something.

I must have seen at least 10 cars being ticketed on the side of the road. After the first 2, I adjusted my speed to 9 MPH over the limit and activated the cruise. No sense tempting fate like that. After that, I saw 3 traps that were targetting me, but no tickets.

Too bad for that guy in the Cayenne S who went screaming by me after exit 6. I had the displeasure of going by him later as he was being ticketed.

***catchacab*** · #9 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 05:29 PM

I have a friend who is a local chief of police, he told me that the state of PA has given out grants to local law enforcement for speed control, in PA the local cops use a timing between two points and they also have a device that looks like a realestate lawn sign that emits two light beams that is reflected back to determine speed

**thePurist** · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 02:35 AM

Hmm.. so if you blast by one on the back road, how will they know how fast you were going? Just a guess?