Radar interference with tinting?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
It depends. Metallic film tint will cause some loss of radar signal if you mount the detector behind it. Regular tint will not affect radar reception. ANY tint will negatively affect laser (LIDAR) detection by reducing the amount of light that reaches the detector.
Only if it has metal layer. Some tints are dyes which will appear more of a blue/gray and some have metallic inlays which will reduce the effectiveness, but I wouldn't think by any real margin.
I work with radar everyday as an avionics tech so I have a little inkling on what's going on.
Nate
I work with radar everyday as an avionics tech so I have a little inkling on what's going on.
Nate
im an electronic warfare tech, so i work with radar everyday as well. and reg tint will have no effect. but i do mount mine above the rearview mirror, for one reason its illegal in va to have them...and two it works best when its mounted in the highest location with a clear view out the front/rear windows.
Trending Topics
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by 99FormulaM6
im an electronic warfare tech, so i work with radar everyday as well. and reg tint will have no effect. but i do mount mine above the rearview mirror, for one reason its illegal in va to have them...and two it works best when its mounted in the highest location with a clear view out the front/rear windows.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo but, if you think about it. most police depts use radar and not lidar. just because of the cost. i know where im from they dont use it, only radar. so for me, in my case, higher is better
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Yep, you're right. There's also the fact that, in most cases, if your laser detector goes off you should just pull over and wait for the ticket 
But I just wanted to present all the information so others can make an informed choice.
But I just wanted to present all the information so others can make an informed choice.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
i have had my dectector go off a # of times and it said laser, but i never got pulled over.
i also always have my on top of the rear view mirror, right behid the tint strip ( its illegal in NY too have radar too )
i guess it just picks it up when other cars are being tagged too. there is usually a meter that show how strong the signal is on my dectector as i am sure everyone has that.
i also always have my on top of the rear view mirror, right behid the tint strip ( its illegal in NY too have radar too )
i guess it just picks it up when other cars are being tagged too. there is usually a meter that show how strong the signal is on my dectector as i am sure everyone has that.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Hey Radar Detectors are not illegal in NY. They will hassle you about it, but they aren't illegal. Radar Detectors are only illegal in two places Virginia and the District of Columbia, THAT IS IT!!!! They are legal everywhere else. Sometimes people get a little confused about their state laws regarding radar detectors because A) cops will tell them they are B) Cops will hassle owners C) People mistake radar jammers (which are illegal everywhere) with radar detectors D) Laser Shifters are Illegal in a few states.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If your laser detector went off a number of times and you were speeding but you (or the car in front of you) didn't get pulled over then you're not being tagged by laser. There are a number of other sources that can cause laser detectors to alarm. One of the worst is that neon-style third brake light on Envoys and some other GM SUVs. It will trigger most laser detectors because the light is at almost the same wavelength as LIDAR. The laser beam is only about six feet wide at its maximum effective distance so the LEO would have to be tracking you or somebody very close to you for your detector to pick it up. Also, your tint strip will cause reduced sensitivity to laser (it is light, after all) and may even cause some of your false alarms by changing the color (wavelength) of light that reaches the detector.
I also work with radar(patriot/hawk missles). Just to let some of you know. The laser gun does not have more than a 1000 ft of range, this is federal law. It also throws in reasonable doubt when it is raining outside, because the raindrops happen to be about the same width of the beam in some ranges. Just some needless information. Even with Ka band some officers won't use it based on the same principles.
I do believe the last couple post are correct regarding the metalic material in the tint.
To the other radar fella's where do ya'll work at? AirForce? Army? Navy? I was Air Force now I work for the Army as a civialian(much better).
I do believe the last couple post are correct regarding the metalic material in the tint.
To the other radar fella's where do ya'll work at? AirForce? Army? Navy? I was Air Force now I work for the Army as a civialian(much better).
Last edited by w02ramair; Jan 27, 2005 at 05:52 PM.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
No, the factory tint is not metallic - it's not even a separate film, it's just tinted glass. However, don't put your detector high enough to be behind the blackout portion surrounding the glass. That will block some of the signal.
BTW, radar detectors are also illegal in all of Canada (at least all of eastern Canada, I'm not sure about B.C.).
Also, detectors are illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds and on all military bases (Federal law). Minnesota has a law that is not specifically aimed at detectors but makes it illegal to have things hanging on your windshield or rearview mirror (which could be interpreted to include windshield mounted radar detectors).
BTW, radar detectors are also illegal in all of Canada (at least all of eastern Canada, I'm not sure about B.C.).
Also, detectors are illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds and on all military bases (Federal law). Minnesota has a law that is not specifically aimed at detectors but makes it illegal to have things hanging on your windshield or rearview mirror (which could be interpreted to include windshield mounted radar detectors).
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Feb 1, 2005 at 11:26 AM.
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
No, the factory tint is not metallic - it's not even a separate film, it's just tinted glass. However, don't put your detector high enough to be behind the blackout portion surrounding the glass. That will block some of the signal.
BTW, radar detectors are also illegal in all of Canada (at least all of eastern Canada, I'm not sure about B.C.).
Also, detectors are illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds and on all military bases (Federal law). Minnesota has a law that is not specifically aimed at detectors but makes it illegal to have things hanging on your windshield or rearview mirror (which could be interpreted to include windshield mounted radar detectors).
BTW, radar detectors are also illegal in all of Canada (at least all of eastern Canada, I'm not sure about B.C.).
Also, detectors are illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds and on all military bases (Federal law). Minnesota has a law that is not specifically aimed at detectors but makes it illegal to have things hanging on your windshield or rearview mirror (which could be interpreted to include windshield mounted radar detectors).
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The blackout area around the windshield is just that - an area that is completely blacked out and can't be seen through. When you look at your windshield from outside, you'll see what I mean. There is an area around the entire edge of the windshield that has a black covering that I think is used to support the mounting surface. Mounting the detector above the rearview mirror is fine as long as it is pointed through the normal tinted portion of the glass (the part you can see through) and not that blacked out area that you can't see through.
I've always mounted mine on the top of the dash. Done it in my old 89 Blazer, 95 Eclipse, 95 MX-6, 93 Formula and my present 00 hawk. I've had zero problems with it picking up anything. Plus it's not as obvious as well, not to mention I could easily run my power cord under the dash and to the rear of the fuse box (to keep it stock looking plus was soldering the power for my alarm at the same time).
