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Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse
Forget about the claims of laser detection, by the time an aimed laser hits your detector, it's too late, you're probably been nabbed. Radar detectors were successful when given the propagation of a radar signal aimed at a car ahead of you also made it to your car and set it off. With laser your only hope is that the officer jiggles the laser and causes a stray beam to hit your detector, or some stray beam finds your detector.
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Actually, laser detection before it is too late is very possible. The laser can reflect off a car infront of you and give you enough warning to slow down. But, if you are the lead car, once the laser is detected, its too late. Also, it is important to note that laser can only be used if the shooter is 100% stationary.
But, laser is not as common here in Calgary as you would think. I've only detected laser 3 or 4 times here in Calgary in the past 3 years. More often than not, it is short KA band radar that the police use here in Calgary. All multinova, and the vast majority of traps are KA band. On the highway, longer range K band is used often - ussually by the RCMP who is driving and just leaves the radar on. A stopped RCMP in the median will likely be using KA.
With any radar, if you get painted cleanly before you know a cop is around, it will be too late. What you are hoping for with a detector is finding out the cop is there when they shoot at another car. It is that stray signal reflection that gives you warning and time to slow down.
As for what detector to buy, there are only two that offer much of anything. The Escort Passport and the Valentine One. Both are reliable, both are expensive. I personally opted for the Valentine One.
In the end, a detector is only a tool. It helps one avoid being caught for speeding. But, as with any tool, it's only as good as the person using it.