Starting to research my future project which is a hardwired radar detector/laser Jammer. Eventually when I get my current install projects completed I'll turn it into a thread documenting the installation.

I'll start by saying I realize there are numerous threads out there, not only in the porsche forums, but across the spectrum many types of forums and the discussions and arguments are pretty consistent. Once you decide to get to the hard wired "installed" systems it is down to just a few major candidates.

I'm only interested in "installed" hard wire systems and not windshield/dash units. Part of it is performance but also, I can't stand the looks of cluttering up the windshield and dash so it is simply not an option for me. Also, having a radar detector that is obviously visible on the dash.. just looks like a visible challenge to LE, I can't imagine getting cut any slack when getting pulled over even if it is unrelated to speed. Unfortunately an "installed' system costs close to $2,000 vs about $500.

With that I'm debating the 9500ci vs Beltronics STi-R. For the most part they are very similar and produced by sister companies.

The 9500ci comes with the "shifters" which of course is a code word for active "Laser Jammer" which is illegal in most states. The Beltronics STi-R it is an add on option. Also there is a different color Annunciation unit on the Beltronics (red vs 9500ci Blue). Seems most people like the Blue much better, myself included as the red seems rather obtrusive. Personally the ugly red annunciator is significant enough that I'd probably go with the 9500ci just from aesthetics.

There seem to be arguments that the STi-R is slightly better with a few selectivity features. So performance wise it is just slightly better although I haven't yet decided if it matters in real life. You can read endless "experts" arguing the points.

All else being equal I'll probably go with the 9500ci....

I'm going to start the process of figuring out the ideal installation on a 991 (especially the sensors in the front). The consensus seems like the laser sensors are best mounted right in front of the radiators.. The Radar sensor right in the center (assuming you don't have the 3rd radiator). I'm in the process of installing a front cam in the same place so I'm trying to take that into consideration as well.

So..... with that background one question I have to those out there that have detectors with laser jammer capability... have you ever had any push back from LE?

Radar detectors are pretty much legal in most of the US except a couple of state like Virgina and DC. But that isn't a concern as I'm on the west coast. But Laser Jammers are illegal in many states (including mine).

From what I understand and seen in videos, when the jammer does it's job it results in the LE not being able to get a valid speed reading on his equipment. From videos I've seen it looks like most of the guns give errors that they can't get a lock. However I've heard that LE can pretty much tell by the way their equipment acts that they are being jammed. There seems to be a dance that when you detect that you have been lit up, you shut the jammer off immediately.

So with that presumption, has anyone been hassled or cited for having a Jammer active? Everything you read gives warning about getting caught, but at the same time I have seen almost no stories of anyone being cited. Lots of anecdotal stories about how a friend had his equipment confiscated but nothing credible and tangible.

The benefit of an "installed system" is that it is difficult to see, but any LE I'm sure without much effort can look at the front of the car after he has stopped you (because his equipment was acting funny) and see the Jammer sensors/emitter.

It would seem that in general LE doesn't waste a lot of time searching out jammers and just gets the easy low hanging fruit (in reality all of this is just a ploy to raise revenue anyway as safety IMHO has nothing to do with why LE uses radar/laser).

Any real life experiences with getting hassled with a laser jammer?

 

I have the K40 installed and it is...adequate. I find I get a lot of false positives and sometimes it only picks up cops when I am right on top of them. The systems you mentioned might or might not be better, I don't have a lot of faith in the science used to demonstrate efficacy. But that is JMHO. If someone out there can show otherwise, I will be delighted and go out of my way to replace my current system.


As to Jammers - I did not get one - they are illegal in most places. Just a thought, look into whether or not the consequences of being pulled over for using one are greater than those for being pulled over for speeding. If the police get an error - and they clearly see you were speeding, I don't think you have a prayer in court. You will say it was not on. They will say that they got an error, which could indicate the use of a jammer, they observed you and from their experience .... blah blah blah, and that when they pulled you over, indeed they found a jammer under the hood.
You will point out that the machines have errors for other reasons. Your lawyer will quote that it is the state's burden to prove you are guilty, and that the best that they can do is prove that it is possible, and that you should skip happily out of court, with only a large bill from your lawyer (As a lawyer I must add "not that there is anything wrong with that"!)

As a practical matter, you are toast and will get the large lawyer bill, and as a bonus, you will have to pay the man.


I don't say this out of experience mind you. Best of luck whatever you do!

 

One other note. I have no evidence, only experience, but my detector, and I have friends with other brands, have been noticing that you are driving along and your detector goes off and stays chirping at you for miles with no cops in sight. I think that the new radar based crash avoidance systems are setting it off and it is a royal pain! Make sure you have easy access to a volume control and ask your dealer if the unit you buy is sensitive to this possibility.

 

Yeah I hear you, and that is sort of where I'm trying to sort out the real risk. Blow by a cop at 100 MPH and I'm pretty sure you are getting a ticket even if his equipment can't tag you. But that isn't really my scenario and in fact I'm not looking at radar/laser equipment as a way to drive like a crazy person. Just combating the chicken sh*t LE behavior which is mostly about revenue generation and not about safety. In some ways it is more about just having a reminder to give me better situation awareness that I'm driving too fast (and we all know just how easy to drive to faster than you think you are in a 991)

Philosophically, with radar the idea is for you to detect some stray RF so you have a chance to slow down before LE has even really seen you. Unfortunately that same principal doesn't work with Laser/IR.

With respect to the legality and consequences.. it is that "boogie man" that is really the focus of my question. People love to talk about the stiff consequences of anything that is rarely/difficult to prosecute but routinely broken by a large percentage of people. (things like ignoring jury duty or not pulling a building permit for trivial things like changing a window in your house). So many things, if you repeat it enough (and usually the people that repeat it most are the people who are the most scared) become urban folklore that rarely happens..

So I can read the laws and there are those typical things like can be fined up to $10,000 and 6 mo in jail etc.. But at the end of the day does anything significant ever actually happen? I suppose getting fined a couple thousand dollars isn't that big of a deal given I'm paying $2k anyway for a radar detector anyway.

That is really my question.. Not what the law is, but in practicality is there ever any significant enforcement? And if so what actually happens.

My guess is that if anything ever really happened, there would be no shortage of horror stories out there. But credible stories don't seem to exist.

 

Yes, many of the collision avoidance systems use K band radar. For example porsche adaptive cruise control uses it.. There are issues with driving by front of a retail store and getting hits from their door equipment. (That's why the marking functions are handy).

The risk (other than nuance) is that you get desensitized to the warnings and ignore them. I suppose if my goal was to drive as fast as I could all the time without getting caught it would be a problem. To me I just consider it a reminder when I'm deep in thought on my way home from work and come down the hill just a little to fast.

 

Thanks, good info. For radar, I'm trying to assess how important some of the filters and segmentation really are.

And for laser I hear things like the 9500CI shifters aren't that great. But then I hear arguments that in practical terms they are just fine.. But I'll check out the shootout.

 

I have laser jammer and it has saved me many times. I think LJ are illegal in only about 10 states, including CA, but not NY. It has certainly been worth it for me. I was hit twice on one drive a few weeks ago.

 

As a follow up I was looking at the LJ law in California (where I live) doesn't seem as draconian as I thought (but I am not a Lawyer):

28150. (a) No vehicle shall be equipped with any device that is designed for, or is capable of, jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.

(b) No person shall use, buy, possess, manufacture, sell, or otherwise distribute any device that is designed for jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a violation of subdivision (a) or (b) is an infraction.

(d) When a person possesses four or more devices in violation of subdivision (b), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who has a valid federal license for operating the devices described in this section may transport one or more of those devices if the license is carried in the vehicle transporting the device at all times when the device is being transported.

So, from this I think getting caught with one is an infraction.... But have more than four it is a misdemeanor. Not asking for legal advice, but I think it is just saying I may get a ticket for it as opposed to being cuffed and going to jail (Of course it doesn't say how much could be an expensive infraction).

If I understand correctly (and I'm not sure I do just yet) I could live with that risk

 

Rule of thumb whether legal or not don't irk the officer. Few years ago I was driving to the office on a weekend morning. I knew where the LE would sit and generate revenue. I was going exactly 56mph when I passed the officer. To my surprise he lit me up and pulled me over. He asked me what equipment (i.e jammer) I was using. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. He muttered that sometimes it was difficult to get a reading on some sports cars since they had a small front footprint. He then took a walk around the car and stated he couldn't give me a ticket for speeding but was going to cite me for improper display of my license. Moral of the story is they will find something or anything to generate revenue.

 

I learned when I was 16 to be polite and say yes sir no matter what. Otherwise unfortunate things happened as friends of mine at that time can attest.

The thing is I'll take a non-moving ticket violation any time over a moving violation since it doesn't show up as points on your lic for insurance purposes. (at least in calif). Not saying I'm going to be rude to the cop.. of course.

I suppose if he asks me if I have LJ equipment it will be a judgement call as to if I say yes. My experience with LE is that no good ever comes from being forthcoming and volunteering anything. If he wants to give me a ticket for not having front lic plate. So be it..

 

Best of luck with whatever you do. Be safe!

 

Steve, how about the K40 RL360i and G5 diffusers? As an OCD guy, there's only 2 blue LED lights inside as opposed to the gadgets needed for 9500 inside the cabin. K40 also has the ticket-free guarantee.

 

I see you're from NY
Laser Interceptors? Where did you install them, pics if any
Can you recommend an installer for your LJs?
Thanks

 

Thanks Moe, I'll take a look at them.

 

Hi, got my Laser Interceptor installed by Detailing Dynamics in Mineola, LI. There website is http://www.detailingdynamics.com/pag...le_electronics and this first couple of pic is my car, though pics are not that good. Talk to Eddie, he did a great job and I am happy with it. Also, they did my clear bra as well.