Are they legal to have ? I live in Virginia. I was just wondering, and how do they work? Like do you just drive and suddenly see a dot on it which resembles a cop or something?

 

wow... nothing is legal in VA as far as cars goes it seems. So don't worry about radar detectors you can't legally have one... i think aftermarket exuast or anything that makes the car louder is illegal too

 

Radar detectors are definatly illigal in VA..

But as the saying goes...

Its only cheating if the referee see's you

 

radar detectors are very detectable... Its not worth the risk... only the 300+ ones are invisiable to most detector detectors but if you got busted with it your going to be rolling over your $300+ toy when the cops finds you not to mention whatever other fines you get.

 

Actually, I live in Virginia and while I don't regularly run a detector, I was informed that the laws governing the use of them in Virginia has changed (within the last 5 years). It used to be that if you got caught with one in the car it was a fine and they took the detector. Apparently if you get caught with one now, you have to get caught actually using it (not just have it in the car) and they can no longer take it from you, it's just a fine (no points). Having said that, unless you verify these statements directly, I wouldn't put them to the test.

On a lighter note, I have a friend with a V1 (insert $400 here). I've borrowed it. It's awesome. Easily twice the range of most detectors, gives direction of signal, number of signals, and type of signal using separate tones not just lights. It's supposed to be undetectable (there's a nice story as to why), and he hasn't been caught with it yet.

 

This is correct. They used to confiscate the detector. Now you get a ticket and you have to put the detector in the trunk. I got a ticket for having one about 15 years ago. It was $50 and no points. A V1 can't be detected by a traditional radar detector detector, but there is a new one radar detector detector that probably finds the V1. It is explained on the V1 site.

 

I got caught with one the other day in Va. It saved me from getting a ticket but it was hanging in the middle of my windshield and he saw it clearly and came out after me. He took the detector to get its serial number and model info but gave it back to me with a $100 fine. I am a MD resident so maybe it would have been a different story otherwise.

 

Not sure if it is legal or not...but just get the V1 and get the detector signal etched into the rear view mirror

 

You guys got a link for that V1?

 

According to the VA State code, the following is true:

B. A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle.

That means that if the thing were hanging blatantly on a suction mount from your windshield, but there is no power source in the car (like a Cig. lighter adaptor), then you cannot be ticketed.

 

http://www.valentine1.com/