Laser on or off

keithaba · Jan 25, 2008

My X50 goes ape **** every time I pass the airport on the laser band. I have never seen it go off otherwise. Even when I passed a cop in indiana clearly using a lasar speed detector.

How many people actually leave the lasar on? From what I understand it can't warn you anyway?

NEPRT me if you must, but I am just curious....

tom b · Jan 25, 2008

keithaba said:
My X50 goes ape **** every time I pass the airport on the laser band. I have never seen it go off otherwise. Even when I passed a cop in indiana clearly using a lasar speed detector.
How many people actually leave the lasar on? From what I understand it can't warn you anyway?

NEPRT me if you must, but I am just curious....

I leave laser, x band and "pop" off.

Geezer · Jan 25, 2008

I leave it on. I was actually warned once by the laser detector on my X50 in time to prevent a performance award. I also have it go off every once in a while when there is clearly no radar in the area.

It is rare, but some LEOs still run X band in the more rural parts of NJ. And I get plenty of false alarms on Ka from highway signs in PA. I'd rather get the false alarms than not be warned. I guess it depends on your tolerance for 'crying wolf'.

Good2Go · Jan 25, 2008

QUOTE (tom b @ Jan 25 2008, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

keithaba said:
My X50 goes ape **** every time I pass the airport on the laser band. I have never seen it go off otherwise. Even when I passed a cop in indiana clearly using a lasar speed detector.
How many people actually leave the lasar on? From what I understand it can't warn you anyway?

NEPRT me if you must, but I am just curious....

I leave laser, x band and "pop" off.

I leave mine on. I've probably only had it go off twice in the two years I've had it.....BUT....

...I installed Fiam freeway blaster horns on my FJR...now the low tone horn triggers the laser alert on my X50 !?!?! :huh: Really! And it only happens in a closed garage. I'm thinking there's an intermodulation product generated in the horn circuit that just happens to fall in the laser band. Wierd. I'ma turn laser detection off.

CAJW · Jan 25, 2008

Laser on (I put up with the occasional false alerts in BFE) and have X off. CHP are now using LIDAR so my hope is I'll get some sort of warning, but I'm keeping my head up just in case.

keithaba · Jan 25, 2008

CAJW said:
Laser on (I put up with the occasional false alerts in BFE) and have X off. CHP are now using LIDAR so my hope is I'll get some sort of warning, but I'm keeping my head up just in case.

The vast majority in KY still use regular old radar. Only seen laser 1 time here and 1 time in IN.

I take the major highways to work everyday and know most of the spots where they set up radar traps. Even the undercover cars use radar here, my X50 has consistently given me a significantly early warning when approaching a speed trap.

Edit* Some cool info. radar info

"There is no “scatter” with laser compared to microwave radar. In past testing, we proved this with laser aimed at a lead vehicle while the trailing vehicle’s detector remained silent. No advanced warning!"

Toecutter · Jan 25, 2008

I turned my laser off last week, after a series of false alerts in the Bay Area. I've never been warned by a laser alert without first seeing a patrol unit*, but the radar part has tipped me to many units before they became visible. Knowing of their presence before they know of yours is tantamount in avoiding unscheduled roadside chats and accompanying documentation thereof....

* Luckily, the "warning" the Escort gave me was followed by a verbal version by the "Arresting officer". Yet to be convicted of any extra-legal activities....:knockonwoodsmiley:

LAGO RUNNER · Jan 25, 2008

Due to the cost most law enforcement agencies use dopler radar,however some Traffic units and Motor units use laser. It is used like a gun, a quick pull of the trigger when the vehicle is in his sights, the signal will only last for seconds. Dopler is a broad signal that can be detected with ease compared to laser...

keep laser detection on, so you know to start pulling over, because its probably too late by then

Mr Bill · Jan 25, 2008

keithaba said:
How many people actually leave the lasar on? From what I understand it can't warn you anyway?

I have everything on. Pop warnings are always a false alarm, but it keeps me on my toes so I leave that turned on. I never get laser alarms.

X band is still used here in Massachusetts by some state troopers so turn that on if your coming this way.

ngarider · Jan 25, 2008

Laser detection is useless. Go read Keith's link.

My V1 is good insurance against the cop who's just sitting there with it on waiting for an alert. For the traffic cop with the laser gun, I'm toast detector or not. So, laser stays off and I don't have to listen to it bitch everytime i pull up behind a GMC or Caddy with that damn LED CHMSL.

650cent · Jan 25, 2008

...I installed Fiam freeway blaster horns on my FJR...now the low tone horn triggers the laser alert on my X50 !?!?! :huh: Really! And it only happens in a closed garage. I'm thinking there's an intermodulation product generated in the horn circuit that just happens to fall in the laser band. Wierd. I'ma turn laser detection off.

My laser alert goes crazy with a blast from my fiam horns also. I leave the alert on anyways, just on the off chance the LEO is a poor aim with his gun and I pick up a stray beam.

Bill

LDRydr · Jan 25, 2008

ATWATT (All The Warnings All The Time). Sometimes my V-1 laser goes off and I don't see a thing, but it definitely won't give any warning if it's turned off. Info on laser warnings at Valentine-1 HERE and HERE.

Lake Powell · Jan 26, 2008

Does anybody know of a site that lists state by state what is being used, x-band, laser, etc.?

RonBB · Jan 26, 2008

Laser on-at least one known save by it. 1/4 mile behind several cars being checked & the beam happened to sweep across the X50 which went off. On my 05 I had several false alarms until I aimed it slightly away from the LCD display. No more falses after that. Might have had something to do with reflections off of the LCD refresh (?) rate.

Bounce · Jan 26, 2008

Laser on. But then I use a V1 and it's saved me on more than one occasion.

Jagermeister · Jan 27, 2008

I drive around 60k miles anually, mostly KY TN & IN, and have never encountered State or LEOs using Laser. After several of the airport encounters Keith mentioned, I finally turned laser detection off. Since Laser detection is Line-of-Sight only, you're screwed if a real alert goes off, anyway.

painman · Jan 27, 2008

I leave the lazer on. Coming back from the group ride in Plymouth area recently coming out of Ione, two lane country road, I got 2 very slight blips before I ever saw him and started to cut back on speed just after passing and then the lazer equiped CHP hit me with his LIDAR unit which he was sitting just on the other side of a knol on the side of the road slightly out of view. The first hit I got I was 80+ and when he targeted me I was near 65. This is usually a road where usually there is no police presence. This is the third time I have picked up LIDAR in advance with the X50. But it was because they were targeting other people first. Yes it works. I must admit CA has and is stepping up their speed enforcement lately in large IMO CA is running low on revenue. PM. <><

keithaba · Jan 28, 2008

Lake Powell said:
Does anybody know of a site that lists state by state what is being used, x-band, laser, etc.?

I have been looking for something like that. If anyone can find a link with info like that, please post it!

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