Radar Detectors on the Lake

[onlywinni]

I had the following response to a question I posed in another thread:

Originally Posted by Phantom

onlywinni -- it doesn't appear that anyone answered your question -

Yes, the MP most definately have radar guns. I was docked one afternoon in Center Harbor and "chatted it up" with a MP officer docked there early this season. He was very congenial and even showed me the radar unit he was issued. It is about the size of a mid sized pair of binoculars (6"w x 3"h x 8"d approx) it has a monocle sighting window and display's speed & range (distance) and is completely portable i.e no wires. The interesting aspect was range as he indicated to me that he uses it to tell if two boats are 150' apart by simply "targeting" each and taking the difference in range.

Therefore, if you see a MP boat just floating/ idling (as I have seen numerous times since) and the officer has what you think are Binoculars up to his face --- SMILE, your on radar!!

Anyone try using a radar detector on the lake yet?

I might give it a shot next week, when I finally get back up there. I have a mid level model Cobra that picks up Radar and Laser-just curious if it even works on the water?

Of course I could just obey the 45mph speed limit at all times

[jmen24]

I wouldn't think it would work. Radar detectors only work if someone else is getting hit with the radar, otherwise you are just getting a reading that you have been hit with radar.

That being said, the nature of boats traveling over water is that you are not in a long line (as on the highway) and everyone might be going a slightly different course, so in theory you could pick up the radar if you were close enough but in general on the water I would think that the only time you will hear the detector go off is to give you enough warning to get rid of the open beer to reduce your in the very near future hassles.

Because the radar units that are being used by the MP are similar to the ones that the State and Local PD use on occation in that they are not broadcasting radar nonstop but are more of a point and shoot deal, this is the style that is used for speed traps and construction zone patrols most often.

[BroadHopper]

I remember reading somewhere that back in the '60's when radar was first used to trap speeders. Court system had a controversal time about auto speedometers vs radar speed. That was when auto mfg. had to make sure the speedometer in their autos were accurate.

I wonder if boaters will run into the same controversy as everyone knows boat speedometers are never accurate.

[livefreeordie]

Originally Posted by onlywinni

I had the following response to a question I posed in another thread:






Anyone try using a radar detector on the lake yet?

I might give it a shot next week, when I finally get back up there. I have a mid level model Cobra that picks up Radar and Laser-just curious if it even works on the water?

Of course I could just obey the 45mph speed limit at all times

We had my Valentine one on the boat for the poker run sat... I would say we passed 4-6 MP sitting like they were checking speeds and not once did it go off. The V1 is the best out there.... I think there is 0 MP shoting radar on the lake and if they are im sure its in front of Bear to make the only people that care about it happy...

The only time it went off was in Alton when a cop was driving down RT11 and in Meredith.....

[SAMIAM]

What about a scrambler.......do they work?

[ishoot308]

Samiam;

Yes the "Escort" laser scramblers work quite well and are legal still in NH. I currently have one in my conversion van and can tell you first hand that it works 100% of the time. I have a friend that is in law enforcement and we tested and confirmed how effective it was.

Be aware however that all the scramblers made by "Rocky Mountain Radar" do not work at all and are nothing but junk.

I believe X, K, and KA radar scramblers may be illegal but not laser scramblers.

Dan

[livefreeordie]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Samiam;

Yes the "Escort" laser scramblers work quite well and are legal still in NH. I currently have one in my conversion van and can tell you first hand that it works 100% of the time. I have a friend that is in law enforcement and we tested and confirmed how effective it was.

Be aware however that all the scramblers made by "Rocky Mountain Radar" do not work at all and are nothing but junk.

I believe X, K, and KA radar scramblers may be illegal but not laser scramblers.

Dan

they dont use laser on the lake.....

I have the binder M-20 in my show car and yes it does work saved my ass many times even at nite on Rt 3

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by livefreeordie

they dont use laser on the lake.....

I have the binder M-20 in my show car and yes it does work saved my ass many times even at nite on Rt 3

Live Free;

Do you what radar band they are using on the lake??

I think if anyone is concerned about accidentally breaking the speed limit and getting a ticket, buy a high end detector and monitor for radar overspray on other boats. If your the only boat in the area and they lock on you with a radar gun, I don't care what detector you have your getting bagged!

Your Binder M-20 is a good unit. I have friend who swears by his!

Dan



Dan

[Woodsy]

Livefree...

You are sadly misinformed... the NHMP most certainly do use LIDAR on the lake...

Here is a link to the unit they use... it has a 2000' effective range with a 3' x 3' square @ 1000'... much past 1000' and the radar operator may start to pick up chatter from the sparay & waves. LIDAR works best on flat surfaces such as automobile front ends, it does not work well nearly as well on curved surfaces such as boat bows.

http://www.kustomsignals.com/product...pagename=lidar

the radar unit...

http://www.kustomsignals.com/product...ename=handheld

There are various laser jammers out there, and they will effectively prevent "burn through" here is a site that test the various laser jammers...

http://www.laserjammertests.com/index.htm


http://www.guysoflidar.com/


Woodsy

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by JMen24

I wouldn't think it would work. Radar detectors only work if someone else is getting hit with the radar, otherwise you are just getting a reading that you have been hit with radar.

That being said, the nature of boats traveling over water is that you are not in a long line (as on the highway) and everyone might be going a slightly different course, so in theory you could pick up the radar if you were close enough but in general on the water I would think that the only time you will hear the detector go off is to give you enough warning to get rid of the open beer to reduce your in the very near future hassles.

Because the radar units that are being used by the MP are similar to the ones that the State and Local PD use on occation in that they are not broadcasting radar nonstop but are more of a point and shoot deal, this is the style that is used for speed traps and construction zone patrols most often.

I am certainly no expert on radar detectors having owned one years ago and finding it more anoying with false readings than it was helpful. But I believe I read somewhere that a radar detector has a greater range than a radar gun because they are hunting for the signal not trying to bounce it back and accurately read the speed of an object, so that the detector can pick up a signal in your general direction beyond the range of accuracy of the radar gun.

Things may have changed in the decades since I read that but it makes sense. As far as the radar operator turning his unit on and off, I don't think a radar detector will help in that case.

[cowisl]

NO need for a radar detector. Please just use common sense. Its easy enough to tell a marine patrol boat from others both during the day and night

[VtSteve]

I'm sure that no matter what they use, it's the same as it has been for many years. Your detector can't pick up on something until it's on you. On the lake, you're less likely to get "lucky" by picking up stray signals from their units, since they can simply turn them on and off to spot check a certain target.

I believe that the value of detectors was diminished, though certainly not entirely, when the Ka (or whatever it was) instant on types of radar became the popular way to catch speeders. I found this out years a go on a curvier stretch of the NY throughway. On a straight stretch, I was Zapped. No warning, nothing. (the officer did ask me how I liked my new Escort).

I just smiled, and said "You 1, me 0"

[Skip]

As Woodsy has correctly pointed out, the primary speed enforcement tool of choice on Winnipesaukee is the handheld LIDAR (or sometimes referred to as Laser) unit. This unit does not emit or use radio frequency for ranging, it uses light. Therefore you would need a LIDAR rated detector and would need to be in the LIDAR unit's limited emitted light cone for the brief bursts that it's being activated in order for your detector to alert. Given the conditions over water, if you are within the LIDAR's emiiter light cone for the brief time it is activated, all your detector will inform you of is the fact that your speed has just been measured by a NHMP officer.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by cowisl

NO need for a radar detector. Please just use common sense. Its easy enough to tell a marine patrol boat from others both during the day and night

LOL... I sure don't need one! The only way by pontoon could go 45 MPH is on a trailer being towed behind my car!

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by Skip

As Woodsy has correctly pointed out, the primary speed enforcement tool of choice on Winnipesaukee is the handheld LIDAR (or sometimes referred to as Laser) unit. This unit does not emit or use radio frequency for ranging, it uses light. Therefore you would need a LIDAR rated detector and would need to be in the LIDAR unit's limited emitted light cone for the brief bursts that it's being activated in order for your detector to alert. Given the conditions over water, if you are within the LIDAR's emiiter light cone for the brief time it is activated, all your detector will inform you of is the fact that your speed has just been measured by a NHMP officer.

Skip is correct as usual!

There is a slim chance your detector might get some backscatter from another boat or the water but its very slim... The only upside is the 2000' range of the unit.... and that it still needs to a head on (or transom shot is the best) to work properly.

Best advice is to keep your speed down...

or buy an expensive jammer!

Woodsy

[onlywinni]

I guess it is the same scenario as when you speed on the street...If you do it, make sure it is safe to do so and no one is around and then hope for the best


Has anyone heard about a speeding ticket being given? I would like to hear the details? I imagine if you are blasting across the broads in the low 50s with no other boat traffic around the MPs would give you a pass, but then again maybe not?

[Mee-n-Mac]

So what channel do people issue "bear reports" on ?

It's like the 70's except that instead of radar, detectors and a CB we've got lidar, jammers and the VHF.




... and Rap instead of Disco .... not sure which is worse.


FWIW : While laser jammers are legal, radar jammers (at least the active ones that work) are definitely not. I am surprised the lidar is the choice, I'd have thought the rocking of the boat due to wakes on any weekend would be a major problem.

[Phantom]

Woodsy -- the link you gave to the "Pro-Lite" model (your first link) is EXACTLY what the MP officer showed me in Center Harbor!!!

Using it makes many of the MP officer "appear" that they are their binoculars