Hehehe...

Thanks guys! I'll keep my eyes peeled on my next trip north.


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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Hey Andy,

What are the photo radars like in Vancouver?
Are they the ones that automatically measure your speed and takes a photo? We have something similar to that in Korea. V1,K40,and all of the radar detectors sold in the states don't work well on the photo radars in here, but there is a illegal detector made in Korea built just for the photo radars that sells for about $100(US) here. It is a very small device that sends out a warning signal from about 600~700 meters away from the radar. It saved my ass more than a few times.

Chuck

Chuck,

Here in Vancouver, Police uses Vans as Photo Radars. Usually the Van is parked on the side of the road. And 45 degree across the street is a sensor, which will receive laser beam from another sending device on the Van. It measures the speed of passing cars, and takes photo automatically accordingly. It's easier to spot a Photo Radar Van during Winter time, as the police inside the van will keep the car running(and turn up the heater.. :p). And there is always a tripod in front of the van(though couple tricky ones mounted the flash light on the front bumper). And they always used same type of van....GMC Astro...

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Pearl Grey/Black Leather
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.homestead.com

Do you suffer from PhotoRadaritis? I remember seeing a product in MT or C&D that is a piece of angled clear plastic that fits over your license plate. Plate is unobstructed from straight ahead, but causes the plate to blur at angles used by photo radar, thereby rendering the photo useless.
Hope you can put this info to good use...
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

Here is an article that claims that none of those things work: http://www.ettm.com/news/foil_photo_cop.html
It sounds like they are able to enhance the image. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has actually used something successfully.
Maybe a device like the Michael Knight had, where he hit a button and his license plate changed, would be a better way to go. Anybody remember the Knight Rider? Perhaps it's still on somewhere outside the US.
I heard a story one time about a guy on a motorcycle in Germany who saw the photo radar at the last minute and reached around behind him and covered his license plate with his hands. They never found out who he was.

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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
ICQ #300030
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Do what I do -- carry the plates in the vehicle (as well as a screwdriver). My story if/when I get pulled over, "Sorry officer, I'm selling my car and was taking pictures of it, but forgot to reinstall the plate(s) -- I've got them right here and I can do it right now, how's that?". Even if he writes you a "fix-it" ticket, it'll only cost you a few bucks, if any (here in California you used to be able to get your fix-it ticket signed off by any officer with no fine, now you have to get it signed AND pay a fine ). However, I'd much rather pay a fix-it fine than a speeding ticket any day.

Hope this helps.

Brian

How often do they pull you over for that?
Seems like getting lots of fix-it tickets could wind up being more expensive than the occasional speeding ticket.
I've never heard of photo radar being used in California. There are just those cameras in San Francisco and a few other cities that take your picture when you run a red light, which is even more expensive than a speeding ticket I guess. At least there are signs to let you know the cameras are there.
Your idea sounds like a good one. I'm just curious how often you get pulled over without plates.

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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
ICQ #300030
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Dean:

Actually, I've NEVER been pulled over for a missing plate. But, I've got my story down to a tee if I ever DO get pulled over . As for photo radar, I believe my city (Campbell, CA) was the pioneer in that area. The former Chief of Police lives right behind me, and he's pioneered quite a few things for the Campbell Police Dept including patrol officers carrying assault rifles in their vehicles, and cop "trading cards" (like baseball cards) as a means of public relations with the kids. Anyways, as much as we enthusiasts take care of our vehicles, there's no question that they look as if just purchased (meaning, we haven't gotten our plates yet). That could be the reason I've never been pulled over -- my car looks brand new even tho' it's 14-years old.

Brian

That's pretty cool that you haven't been pulled over. Kind of scary that there is photo radar right here in California. I've always thought photo radar would be too "big brother" to be used in the US.

Hopefully they won't show your picture to the former Chief if you ever get "geblitzed."

So do you know if they take your picture from in front, behind, or both?

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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
ICQ #300030
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Dean:

I believe they get ya comin' (to photo the driver and front plate) and goin'(to photo the plate). There was a lot of controversy over the use of the photo radar setup and legality. I don't think they do it anymore; at least in Campbell I haven't seen it in quite awhile. Pretty weird to come up on what you think is a speed-monitoring rig, but then it snaps a photo/flash at you.

Don't know how much truth there is to this story, but I *heard* there was a guy who got a photo radar ticket in the mail. Anyways, the guy got so pissed off he sent the court a *photocopy* of his check in the amount of the fine. The judge didn't take kindly to this and fined him for contempt -- he got like 40-hrs of community service

Brian

I see my tale has escalated into quite a large discussion...hehe

Anyhow, about the license plate thing, in Ohio you're required to have two plates on the vehicle. BUT....(there's alays a but) On a car such as my DeLorean which was not meant to have a front plate, it is acceptable to run without one. I'm trying to figure out if I can get away with it on my BMW 745i since it's European-spec and the front bumper/spoiler only has anchroing points for the long European plates. Until I get stopped, I'll keep on driving it with one plate "5OH EATR" (I hate those 5.0 litre Mustangs and so does my Bimmer!). Just my $0.02.


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'85 BMW 745i Turbo