Curiosity... BMW and radar detector....

[silverdoctor]

Just a curiosity, but a BMW SUV came onto 75 st yesterday from the ramp just north of the river... My radar detector made a noise I've never heard before and no band listed, it kept up the same sound repeatedly while the Beamer was in range. The vehicle was in front of me for a few km's and the noise kept up, powered it off and back on again and it started again. After I went a different direction, the noise stopped.

What could be in the BMW that would muck up my detector? Jammer possibly? It wasn't a ghost vehicle.

[korie83]

Probably a collision detection system or he might have been using the adaptive cruise control system that I believe uses a form of radar.

The 5 and 7 (x5 included) series BMW's have a plethora of tech in them that could potentially use some form of radar.

Also could be a hidden radar jamming system.

[Jeron Kahyar]

More than likely a radar jammer. No band listed would be due to it not being on a single frequency. Just blasting out noise on a wide band.

They are definitely illegal to use and not to hard for a cop to figure out you have one. Unfortunately they can't just search your vehicle on suspicion you have one. Likely he bought some cheap POS marketed as a radar detector but is actually a jammer and doesn't know the difference.

[korie83]

Originally Posted by Jeron Kahyar

More than likely a radar jammer. No band listed would be due to it not being on a single frequency. Just blasting out noise on a wide band.

They are definitely illegal to use and not to hard for a cop to figure out you have one. Unfortunately they can't just search your vehicle on suspicion you have one. Likely he bought some cheap POS marketed as a radar detector but is actually a jammer and doesn't know the difference.

Are the jammer's actually illegal to use? If so how what law states that you can't output your own rf signals in the same band as radar use? I wouldn't be surprised to see a cop issue a ticket for it, but is it actually enforceable?

[korie83]

A quick google search pointed out that radar detectors are not illegal in Alberta. Laser Jammer's are not illegal and there is no federal laws prohibiting their use either.

Radar jammers apparently don't truly exist for this purpose, and if they did the signal range they output in would require a license to use.

[Jeron Kahyar]

Originally Posted by korie83

Are the jammer's actually illegal to use? If so how what law states that you can't output your own rf signals in the same band as radar use? I wouldn't be surprised to see a cop issue a ticket for it, but is it actually enforceable?

It is illegal to actively jam radio signals under the Radiocommunications act in Canada. Likely his jammer was putting out large amounts of noise over the full spectrum of the KA band (most commonly used for radar speed guns).

There is some hefty fines and possibility of jail time for offences under this act. Unfortunately it is not really very enforceable due to not being able to search verticals for them on the side of the road (only way to "Prove" that has such a device).

The police have started to move towards laser speed guns now. This has the problem of no regulations being in place to attempt to jam laser signals. Not sure how that will end up playing out.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst...g/sf10048.html

[Jeron Kahyar]

Originally Posted by korie83

A quick google search pointed out that radar detectors are not illegal in Alberta. Laser Jammer's are not illegal and there is no federal laws prohibiting their use either.

Radar jammers apparently don't truly exist for this purpose, and if they did the signal range they output in would require a license to use.

Yes the detectors are legal here in Alberta. But be aware if you are traveling outside Alberta with them you may be breaking the law. IIRC only Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan allow them.

[AbAngler]

A coworker is in a car club and he uses a paint on coating in addition to laser/radar jammers. Cost him BIG bucks though and he claims to have been saved a few times. I had no idea this stuff even existed.

[korie83]

Originally Posted by AbAngler

A coworker is in a car club and he uses a paint on coating in addition to laser/radar jammers. Cost him BIG bucks though and he claims to have been saved a few times. I had no idea this stuff even existed.

At what point is spending this kind of money to avoid tickets worth it?

I mean I hate getting speeding tickets just as much as the next person, but if you speed "smart and safely" I doubt these measures save you anything.

If people are using them to constantly speed excessively or to "street race", they should save their time and money and take it to the track.

I don't care if someone is doing 140 on an open non-congested highway (and has the skills to navigate at those speeds), but you start pushing more than that and the cops will not care if their detection methods work. They will pull you over anyways and just estimate your speed and hit you with the book.

It's not hard to see the photo radar setups if you pay attention to the road.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by Jeron Kahyar

Yes the detectors are legal here in Alberta. But be aware if you are traveling outside Alberta with them you may be breaking the law. IIRC only Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan allow them.

I have been under the impression that it is illegal in BC....

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by kevinhits

I have been under the impression that it is illegal in BC....

All sources are calling legal in BC...

[KGB]

I usually get a ticket once every few years and not when I am actually speeding - because when I'm speeding I'm paying attention - but when I'm driving and thinking about something else.... That's when they nail me for going 10-15 over the limit... I hate this !!! That's the reason why I'm driving now with the Escort 9500IX detector. That's the best thing since the sliced bread! I'm not saying it's 100 % proof but close! It also has a GPS database loaded with speed traps, speed cams and red light cams. It is very good detecting all bands including laser... The only problem with laser is when u get a warning signal it pretty much tells you that you just got a ticket.... And it doesn't detect this new Dragon Eye laser photo radar used by the city in a vehicles parked on overpasses.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

All sources are calling legal in BC...

Good to know.....Thanks

[curtis_rak]

Vehicles with adaptive cruise control use radar to adjust the vehicles speed based on distance to other vehicles in front of them.... May not be a jammer

[DiabeticKripple]

ive noticed the cars that have the blind spot sensors in the mirrors that show the driver when somewhere is in their blind spot sets off radar detectors.

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by kevinhits

Good to know.....Thanks

You get a ticket for it, don't be blaming me

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

You get a ticket for it, don't be blaming me

[zero]

blind spot radar and adaptive speed both blast K band radar.

older crappy radar detectors will spam junk detects from KA band, cobra radar detectors are the worst for this.

I run a V1 and it was well worth the money.

but newer Ka instant on and lidar traps are on the increase here so keep your eyes open and speed responsibly LOL

[Redfrog]

I use my cruise control and have not had a ticket in over 40 years.

[does it ALL outdoors]

Jammers only jam the signal returning to the radar gun, dosent affect radar detectors. All the new lane departure warning systems in newer cars use radar signals and is what most likely tripped your detector, they trip mine daily. Lazer jammers work flawlessly especially with the overpass eyes in the sky, leave it turned on and it won't allow the radar (lydar) gun to get a reading on you. In traffic when it goes off you correct your speed and shut it off so the PO-leece can get a reading on you.