Placement of Radar Detector

[Redwingsguy]

Does it matter where I put my radar detector? I'm getting one and want to put it in the little cubby hole I have under my cd deck. Would that affect the detection? BTW its a Bel Express 936

 

[erikistired]

im pretty sure it has to be somewhere on the windshield.

~erik

 

[Viper GTS]

It has to be somewhere where the signal won't get blocked. Since radar reflects off the body of the car, you need to have the detector in the windshield.

Also, some newer windshields block or greatly diminish the strength of incoming radar, thus pulling the proverbial wool over your detector's eyes.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

You want it high up. go to valentineone.com and you can there see which windshields in particular inhibit radar detection.

 

[amnesiac]

the higher up the detector is, the longer its ability to warn you of upcoming speed traps.

It has to have line-of-sight with the signal it's detecting so putting it in a cubby hole wont work at all.

 

[StageLeft]

Generally I recommend placing the detector on a long broomstick. For secure placement you should drill a hole in your roof and base the broom end on the floor in the back of the car.

 

[erikistired]

i believe the tint along the top of some windshields can block the signal tho. i had mine above the rearview mirror with the power cord run along the top of the windshield molding and then down the a pillar. worked great there, saved me a few times.

~erik

 

[Tominator]

Read about how radar works and you can answer the question yourself.

I don't have a link 'cause I know....

 

[NakaNaka]

can you get fined for having them??

 

[StageLeft]

can you get fined for having them??

Only if illegal in your state.

 

[Viper GTS]

Depends on where you live.

In Canada I don't believe they're legal at all, in the US they're only illegal in a couple states. Perfectly legal here in Oregon, but it's generally a good idea to hide them when the cop approaches your window - They pretty much scream "I speed all the time & don't intend to get caught," which is not the best attitude to display to a cop.

Viper GTS

 

[Redwingsguy]

Their legal in mi right?

 

[prodigy]

From that valentineone site:



Aren't radar detectors illegal in a lot of places?
- T.G., Virginia


You still have the right to know when you're under radar surveillance almost everywhere in the US. The exceptions are Virginia, which bans detector use, and nearby Washington, D.C., which bans possession. Canada is much less friendly toward civil liberties. Detectors are banned everywhere except British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

 

[StageLeft]

Canada is much less friendly toward civil liberties. Detectors are banned everywhere except British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

I love that line from the valentine site. Canada is less friendly to civil liberties, such as breaking the law.

 

[Viper GTS]

I consider radar detectors to be a civil liberty, who are they to say you can't have a device to detect frequencies traveling through the air? While I don't support the use of radar detectors, the principle that the government can tell you it's illegal to detect signals of a certain frequency is, IMHO, ludicrous.

Viper GTS

 

[Tominator]

Viper GTS

The court battle that stated receiving radio waves is a 'right' was debuncted by thecourts when you were shetting yellow.......

The only reason for a Detector is to break the law! Although I have used them, I do not now or will allow the use in my own cars.....much to the distress of two teenagers...

 

[mrCide]

<< Viper GTS

The court battle that stated receiving radio waves is a 'right' was debuncted by thecourts when you were shetting yellow.......

The only reason for a Detector is to break the law! Although I have used them, I do not now or will allow the use in my own cars.....much to the distress of two teenagers... >>



actually detectors are good for certain zones that you have to be more 'awake' for.

 

[Viper GTS]

Tominator

Frankly I don't give two sh!ts what the Government thinks on the matter, but think about it...

Waves traveling through our surroundings are all basically the same thing. Be it light, sound, or whatever.

Would you say it's your right to listen to the sounds that reach you? More importantly, would you be disturbed if it became a law that you couldn't listen to certain sound frequencies? Maybe we'll eliminate the frequency range that your wife speaks in.

How about seeing things? Would you like it to be illegal for you to see the color blue?

Why should radio waves be any different?

I have no problem with laws restricting the transmission of certain frequencies, but restricting the reception of frequencies is dangerous.

Just my opinion, whether or not you or the law agree with me.

Viper GTS