Hey again people. I was talking to a buddy of mine tonight and he's a fellow Suby owner. We were talking about my plans to purchase a V1 for my ride and he explained that there's a new type of radar coming out in CA that wpuld render the V1 useles, since it's not your typical radar that STAYS on, but more like a laser/radar type deal. This true?

 

Lidar is laser.

Now, it is possible that there is a different radar frequency that might start being used but I somehow doubt that. The new toys some cops and hp are getting are hand held laser guns, but you have to aim them but they are more precise.

 

Radar that "stays on" is old stuff, a lot of LEO's still use theirs in this mode, but only for convenience, if they are really looking to write tickets they put the unit in instant-on mode.

Instant-on radar is pretty much like laser in that once your detector goes off you are busted- both these technologies make pretty much every radar detector useless- if deployed in a remote area without other traffic.

Without a radar detector, you really should just stick to within a few mph of the speed limit, or risk getting a ticket.

Even with a radar detector, you don't always get a warning so you still need to respect the speed limits- there's just a few situations where you can let loose a bit.

But speeding is illegal, -mmmkay?

 

If they are using instant on in a crowded area you will be able to pick it up. However if they are using laser you wont be able to pick it up until they hit you.

 

When I got caught for racing, the cops used liedar. Have you ever heard of it? It's when they don't use pacing techniques or radar and still write you up for an outrageous speed. Not that it made a difference anyway with a speed contest violation.

 

Lidar is laser. It's sneakier than radar, but in order for it to be accurate, the officer has to have their window down, and it has to be aimed parallel to traffic. It also reads off of either the largest object, or nearest object, so if you're going 90 mph in the lane nearest the cop, and a semi is doing 90 mph in the lane furthest from the cop, it will be difficult to distinguish which one the laser is reading. However, if both are speeding, it's just a matter of deciding who to go after. This is all what I read in my radar detector manual, so if my info is wrong, it's because I can't find the damn thing to double check.

Radar detectors are pretty much useless with laser because once your detector goes off, the laser has already hit you and you're screwed. I haven't seen ANY laser being used in California since I got my detector about a month and a half ago. I got one false alarm when I was doing 90 on highway 5...that was a frightening experience.

Apparently darker colored cars and cars without metallic paint are more difficult to get an accurate reading off of with laser. Also, the front plate is an important reflector for laser, that's why most states are so picky about whether or not you have one. Along with license plates, some headlights, and any chrome on the front of the car make it easier for them to tag you. So if you're really afraid of getting ticketed, just flat black your entire car and you'll be set.

 

Myth busters proved that wrong if I remember correctly.

 

Instant on is not as tough as laser. With instant on there is a lot of scattering. If cars ahead of you are being illuminated, some of the radiation will scatter, and you can pick it up. If you are the only car on the road, it is tough to beat. But if you have cars <1/2 mile ahead you can pick it up in plenty of time.

 

And like the other guys said, LIDAR is just the technical term for laser.

 

Lidar: Light Detection and Ranging.

Edit: McDrama, you watch too much TV.

 

No, McDrama is correct, mythbusters proved that wrong. If you do the physics analysis you'll understand that what you said about flat black and the front license plate is negligible. You'll still get dinged.

 

I wasn't arguing...I was just stating the obvious. I've never watched MythBusters, but I'll take your word for it.

 

Oh, hahah. Mythbusters is a show on the Discovery Channels that takes common accepted ideals or sayings and tests them to see if they are true or not.

 

lol... that episode just happens to be on right now.

 

not at all, I built a MythTV box(home-brewed Tivo) and just record what interests me, like comedy and shows like myth busters. =)

Don't worry, we still love you Kellie. ;P