passive radar scramblers??

[Rhett]

Has anyone used one? They are quite legal here.
Do they work? Or are they gimmicks?

Should I just go with a standard radar detector (if so what would YOU personally recommend) or should I bother with a passive radar scrambler?

 

[Cameron]

Passive? radar jammer.

If I'm not mistaken, a radar jammer works by sending a false or mixed signal to the source of the radar signal. That's not very passive. I'm not sure what the differences are between passive and active radar. But I believe radar jamming is illegal in every state. I think you could be charged with obstruction or something to that extent. I think a better rout to go is get a really good radar detector.

 

[Harry5150]

I think the FCC can get you for an unlicenced transmitter too. BIG $$$$ Fines!

 

[Maniak]

I used to work with someone who owned a radar gun. About 2 years ago I bought one of those passive radar jammers just to see if it worked. We installed it on my Motorcycle and he clocked me at around 60 (doesn't take long to get there).. Then we removed the the jammer and tried it again... There was no difference. He still clocked me at 60ish at the same place +- a few feet due to human error.

In short... it doesn't work.. (and it is still being sold.. scary isn't it?)

 

[Rhett]

Thanks for all the replies...

1st of all:

Cameron and Harry5150: A passive radar jammer works (in theory) by bouncing the incoming radar waves BACK at the transmitter. Thus there is no transmitter in the device...
In essence it uses the radar against itself...So they couldn't get you for unlicensed xmitter.

But after reading the post from Maniak I won't get one.
I was leaning against it anyway. I did think it was a sort of gimmick to begin with.

But no one gave me any advice re: the best radar detector!
That's ok, I have my ideas...hehe

 

[Ray Lobato]

Rhett,
Try a Valentine One.
Dead Link Removed

 

[Gofast]

Ray is right! I just got my V-1. Most of the people in my car club are running these and they work very well. I've had mine for 2 weeks and am very impressed.

 

[Rhett]

The Valentine detector sounds great. I'm just not sure if I would get $400 in traffic tickets in my Explorer...maybe for my Corvette it would be nice though.

First things first, I need to get rid of my Firestone ATX's...then I'll move on radar...

 

[BenA]

Rhett,

RADAR works by sending out a pulse, and then reading the time it takes for the pulse to return. The amount of time between pulses allows fairly accurate referencing of spped, attitude, and departure.

So, by your description of the passive scrambler "bouncing the radar back to the sending device" you are actually doing nothing to defeat the RADAR.

Effective RADAR jamming is an active process. It requires a machine to sample the incoming RADAR pulse(s), and then instantaneously matching the frequency and pulse rate, and THEN send out "false" information, effectively creating a 'ghost' or fooling the radar receiver into seeing a vehicle travelling at the legal speed.

My money's on the Valentine One.

Successful RADAR jamming equipment costs around 25K, and is currnetly available at your local Armed Forces Airport FlightLine.

Ben

 

[Rod Bivens]

I don't know that much about the technical side of radar jamming, but I purchased a Phazer about 3 years ago, when they were still legal in CA, and I have had some positive results. The Phazer seems similar to the "passive" device you are refering to.

I have had my doubts about how well it works at close range, within about 50 yards of a radar gun, but I can attest that it has saved me at least one BIG ticked.

I was going 85 mph pulling a trailer, (my speed limit was 55 of course), when I came around a bend on I5. The CHP was pointing his gun directly at me, and I knew I was dead. By the time I got close to him I had slowed to around 60, and I was amazed that he didn't come after me.

All I can say is that the $200 I spent on the Phazer came in handy that day.

At the same time, I often wonder if I will get pulled over some time (even if I am going the speed limit) because the Cop sees that I have jamed his radar.

Over all I think that a radar detector is a safer bet.

Rod