Best RADAR for Aussie's

[BMW86]

Does anybody in Australia have a radar or laser jammer fitted to their car yet? I'm researching which is the best device to use in Australia to avoid cops, speed cameras etc in Queensland.

Anybody have any more info on which products to recommend and how much protection they provide?

[BMWDave]

I don't have a jammer as I believe they are are illegal but I do have a detector. I'm running a Bel STi-R which I've found awesome. I've previously discussed it with pics up in this thread:
Cheers

[takahashi]

Aren't they illegal in Queensland?

I know that it is mroe than $1000 fine if you get caught in Victoria, coz they now know laser jammer is in place in your car, via some sort of feedback signal.

They will most likely to pull you over when they get the jamming signal, even if it could be a failure in their gun. The jammer has to be in the front of the car and it is very easy to get spotted if the cops have some know how - then you are gone.

I would not risk it. at least in Victoria.

[oldman]

Jammers and detectors are illegal in NSW. Fines are severe.

[takahashi]

I wonder what happen if a WA car get caught using it in NSW?

A lot of people driving interstate rather than going overseas this summer.

[oldman]

You would be screwed just like you are for speeding I would suspect. Local laws are local laws.

[takahashi]

But I guess "oh really, I did not know that; this came with the car and I don't know much about it being illegal in other states" for WA drivers may work....

[BMWDave]

I can't exactly take mine out (well, not easily anyway)! If i took it interstate, I'd definitely be using it!

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by takahashi

But I guess "oh really, I did not know that; this came with the car and I don't know much about it being illegal in other states" for WA drivers may work....

I'm no lawyer but ignorance of the law is no defence.

I've actually stopped using my radar detector as I haven't seen any more than half a dozen Multanovas or Lasers in the last three or four months. Each time I did see the speed cameras I was pre-warned by oncoming drivers with their flashing headlights :smile:

[BMWDave]

Originally Posted by amk2912

I've actually stopped using my radar detector as I haven't seen any more than half a dozen Multanovas or Lasers in the last three or four months. Each time I did see the speed cameras I was pre-warned by oncoming drivers with their flashing headlights :smile:

Other motorists will always trump radar detectors! You should take a trip down south during double demerits - my radar detector was going nuts! Three cameras, two lasers and a vehicle mounted radar. All in one day.

[Zuzu]

Ahhhhh... Just dont speed..:biggrin:...and get caught...

[Redbeemer]

Having your high beams on during the daytime will shorten the reading distance on laser, which might help you a little.

[d3syd]

Damn, whilst on the subject, I just got a speeding ticket in the mail! 125kph in a 110 zone..... in my Land Rover.

[xa-coupe]

Originally Posted by Redbeemer

Having your high beams on during the daytime will shorten the reading distance on laser, which might help you a little.

That's new to me ! ... not to mention a fine in itself.

[xa-coupe]

Originally Posted by d3syd

125kph in a 110 zone..... in my Land Rover.

could you fight that one on a physical impossibility defence ?? hehehe

[lacerdaschoon]

I dont care for the jammer but i would like to know how accurate is the radar detector? Does it warn of police cars in the area or just speed cameras?

[d3syd]

Originally Posted by xa-coupe

could you fight that one on a physical impossibility defence ?? hehehe

very funny....

As a matter of fact I've had her up to 165kph, took a while but it got there.

Nice car my LR, 440nm 6spd ZF box, and unstoppable in the rough.

[d3syd]

Originally Posted by lacerdaschoon

I dont care for the jammer but i would like to know how accurate is the radar detector? Does it warn of police cars in the area or just speed cameras?

I wouldn't use a jammer, I'm sure the cops can detect that you have one and that would be the end of you.

Radar detectors are pretty effective so long as the cops have their radar on. If they decided to have their radar off and zap you at the last moment, then RDs are not much use. Works best when there are other cars in the area and the cops are checking their speed.

Another situation where RDs are not much chop is when lasers are used. These devices are very directional and beam like, and measure your speed from a great distance and are point and shoot (ie. instant on when you are in their cross hairs). So although some RDs can pick up laser, often by then it is too late. One way around this is to get a special reflective cover or coating put onto you number plate that confuses the laser reflection (the number plate is what the cops aim at to get a reflection), so that they don't get a reading while meanwhile your RD has picked up the laser blast.

All in all they are still a bacon saving device.

[d3syd]

BTW police have radar detector detectors (RDDs)(a device made by an Aussie company and exported worldwide) that pick up signal leakages from your RD. As far as I know there is only one RD on the market that is undetectable to RDDs - the Beltronics STi which has special technology to eliminate any leakages thereby making it undetectable to RDDs.

[BMWDave]

greats post(s) d3syd. All absolutely correct. Cop car mounted devices are K-band, which is also what many servo's and other places that have automatic doors are. If the cops are driving around with their radar on, the detector will find them but only on the same street, it's not like it'll find the cop if they are within a block or two 360 degrees from your position. If they are driving with it off, it's not til they flick it on and blast you with it that the detector will find it. By then it's too late.

Same thing for laser. Unlike a mutlinova which emits Ka band all the time (ie constantly monitoring all vehicles on road), the laser is a point and shoot, burst signal. My detector picked up a laser signal the other day from over 500m away. I wasn't speeding and the first time it went off (it fired twice, in quick sucession), it may have been picking up the laser burst when they aimed at the car in front but i'm not sure. Either way, had I been speeding, I would have been a goner.

Detectors are certainly not an excuse to speed. I see the value in mine more for multinovas and saving me from numerous 5-10km/h fines which tends to be where I sit*.

RDD's are also very real and whilst detectors are legal in WA so I don't have to worry, it is piece of mind to know that my detector, the Bel STi is currently undetectable, but for how long is the question...


*disclaimer: I never sit 5-10km/h officer, I always do the speed limit and never exceed it.

[d3syd]

Originally Posted by BMWDave

RDD's are also very real and whilst detectors are legal in WA so I don't have to worry, it is piece of mind to know that my detector, the Bel STi is currently undetectable, but for how long is the question...

Apparently Beltronics is confident that the STi will remain undetectable, as it just doesn't leak signals. In the past RD companies changed their frequency to avoid detection, only to have the RDDs catch up and add the new freq to their list.

Like you I have one as well. "purely for display cabinet purposes at home"

[Caduceus]

The other way you will be caught with a detector outside of WA is as follows:

The police will park off the side of the road in a concealed position. This works very well at night. They will watch the traffic drive past them and then light them up from behind with their RADAR. If anyone jumps on the brakes, Mr Plod will chase you down, pull you over and demand that you "hand over the RADAR detector". If you deny you have one, he will search your vehicle with probable cause.

I know someone who was caught like this. And the thing was, he wasn't even speeding at the time. Almost everyone will instinctively brake when they get a strong alert signal on their detector. So even "undetectable" detectors can be found by cunning cops.