Hi, from Quebec, Canada

[SuperDishMan]

Hi everyone,

I have decided to get a radar detector towards end of this summer because i got tired of not being able to enjoy my summer car once in a while with all the too many cops around.

A couple of years ago, there was not that many cops on the road but now, it is ridiculous.

So i have been doing a lot of reading for the past couple of weeks and just came accross this forum by chance today. I was glad i did and very happy to be here. Looks like a great place with lots of good info.

Now, I am trying to make up my mind on what to get. I know now i want a radar detector and laser jammer.

If money was not an issue, which it is, i would have wanted the built in escort 9500. This unit looks sweet.

Otherwise, i will wait for a redline and a good laser jammer. Maybe i will hardwire radar or use dash mount with baseball cap on top of it to make it hidden from the eyes of cops.

I have some questions that i would like to ask please:

1 - I see that price of the radar detectors is much cheaper in the US and i live next to the plattsburgh border. Does anyone have any advice on how to bring one back to Canada without problems at border. I can claim it and leave it sealed in trunk but not sure if this is ok and only open it once home. Or better yet, if there is a way not to claim it so i dont have to pay taxes. I thought about mailing it to myself from US but if it is lost in mail, i am screwed.

2 - What is chance of cops in Quebec using laser vs. radar guns? Will it be worth it to get a laser jammer in quebec?

3 - is there any unit that can detect a cop car, even if cop does not have his radar gun or laser gun out. Like if i want to go a bit fast and cop is there with no radar gun, i still want to know where their cars are?

4 - If i manage to save for the 9500 escort, would you recommend it at its high price of $1600? What if something new comes out for cops and i just spent all this money and have to upgrade? Another con about it is that it is built in and cant be moved easily to another vehicle. Is this worth all this money. I know that going with radar detector and seperate laser jammer, i will save some money but will still be missing some features the 9500 has.

Thanks

[v1user]

Hi everyone,

1 - I see that price of the radar detectors is much cheaper in the US and i live next to the plattsburgh border. Does anyone have any advice on how to bring one back to Canada without problems at border. I can claim it and leave it sealed in trunk but not sure if this is ok and only open it once home. Or better yet, if there is a way not to claim it so i dont have to pay taxes. I thought about mailing it to myself from US but if it is lost in mail, i am screwed.
2 - What is chance of cops in Quebec using laser vs. radar guns? Will it be worth it to get a laser jammer in quebec? Have to ask somebody who lives in Quebec, but to reaffirm a RD is worthless for laser protection, so if you need laser protection there is only one thing you can do.

3 - is there any unit that can detect a cop car, even if cop does not have his radar gun or laser gun out. Like if i want to go a bit fast and cop is there with no radar gun, i still want to know where their cars are?
No. I use a scanner to help with this.
4 - If i manage to save for the 9500 escort, would you recommend it at its high price of $1600? What if something new comes out for cops and i just spent all this money and have to upgrade? Another con about it is that it is built in and cant be moved easily to another vehicle. Is this worth all this money. I know that going with radar detector and seperate laser jammer, i will save some money but will still be missing some features the 9500 has. Since you live in Quebec, these are your options for a Rd: Bel sti /-r, Escsort 9500ci, Escort Redline. The sti is the cheapest option.
I don't think anything major is coming out soon.
Thanks

Answers in red.

[snoopyc4]

Since radar detectors are illegal in your area, you have to get one of these RDs:

-Bel STi
-Bel Sti-r
-Escort 9500ci
-Escort Redline

These RDs are immune to radar detector detectors. So cops in your area will not know you have a RD.

[SuperDishMan]

what is a scanner guys?

I am from Montreal by the way. In terms of savings if i manage to get my stuff from US, we are talking about $200 less for the redline for example. Here, in Canada, it costs $200 more!!!!!

I read somewhere that Quebec law only states RD as illegal which means that laser jammers are not illegal to use here. Can anyone confirms this please.

Thanks

[v1user]

what is a scanner guys?

I am from Montreal by the way. In terms of savings if i manage to get my stuff from US, we are talking about $200 less for the redline for example. Here, in Canada, it costs $200 more!!!!!

I read somewhere that Quebec law only states RD as illegal which means that laser jammers are not illegal to use here. Can anyone confirms this please.

Thanks

Search for police scanner.

The possession or use of a radar detector is prohibited, whether it is connected or not. Police officers may confiscate such devices and fine their owners from $500 to $1000 if they find one in a vehicle.

1001 Québec Canada Information - proudly presented by Kanada News' Canada Vacation Planner The Online Travel Directory

[eobrousseau]

Tu n'as pas le choix: all they use around here is laser. Rarely on the 40 they have KA radar, but youll need a jammer otherwose your wasting your hopes and money! Mailing an rd worked for me twice...

[SuperDishMan]

Tu n'as pas le choix: all they use around here is laser. Rarely on the 40 they have KA radar, but youll need a jammer otherwose your wasting your hopes and money! Mailing an rd worked for me twice...

So if most cops in Quebec use laser, will it be useless to get radar detector? Should i just get laser jammers?

Can you tell me how you mailed it from US to Canada. What did you claim it as on customs declaration form, what did you put as value, what mailing service did you use and did you pay for mail insurance?

Thanks

[SuperDishMan]

The possession or use of a radar detector is prohibited, whether it is connected or not. Police officers may confiscate such devices and fine their owners from $500 to $1000 if they find one in a vehicle.

it does not mention anything about laser jammer above so i guess the use of laser jammers is not illegal in Quebec unless someone can confirm otherwise.

This will be sweet so if they stop me for having one when i get a laser jammer, they cant do nothing. That will be nice. But if it is obvious i was going fast just by seeing me with their eyes, i wonder if they can still write me a ticket.

[snoopyc4]

Tu n'as pas le choix: all they use around here is laser. Rarely on the 40 they have KA radar, but youll need a jammer otherwose your wasting your hopes and money! Mailing an rd worked for me twice...

So if most cops in Quebec use laser, will it be useless to get radar detector? Should i just get laser jammers?

A radar detector is useless against police laser but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get one. Radar is still used in your area so you need a radar detector. I'd get both a radar detector and a laser jammer if you can.

[eobrousseau]

You'll need to get a RD - a stealth one. And you'll need a jammer too maybe a blinder or an LPP. You need radar detection, but you probably won't use it. They use laser in Longueuil, Laval, SPVM, SQ, Richelieu, everybody now does since its the best cash machine and harder to destroy in court.
To get it shipped, the customs are the federal government - its provincically illegal to own sell and blabla a RD, so I believe thats why they didnt care. Label it as radio device. It should go through shipping just fine. I had it shipped twice from dealers in the US...Ill buy you a beer if it fails (maybe..) Where are you in Quebec? I'm in Montreal...