Radar detectors – do they really work?
#31
Originally Posted by Klumzyee
a radar would be kept on at all times.. not really a instant on/off tool
and some areas uses airplanes..
and some areas uses airplanes..
When we moved here, my wife and I were getting paperd with tickets, so I bought 2 Uniden detectors. I have had no more tickets in 3 years since then. I realize that this is partly a result of learning all the local tricks and traps, but the detector does help to figure out what they're using, how they use it and where.
Around here, they use mostly laser for speed traps, and 1/2 the cruisers keep their radar on all the time. The worst was Photo Radar: completely undetectable until too late, but the current government nixed them.
Fortunately, the local cops won't nab you on the first shot of laser. Since I have cheap detectors I usually pick up on the laser shot, then hit the brakes and squeak by the second shot at a reasonable speed. They also like to stake out blind curves and bridges - so I scan these spots more vigilently.
#32
#33
I think that instant on radar...is the new POP unit. Hard to detect.
I have one of the Sensoro Silver Bullitts....and it actually works pretty darn well for a $100.00 detector.
I saw where it actually came in 3rd in some of the tests just behind the Escort 8500 and the V1.
Hey, at least the detector let's you know that you are about to be pulled over so you can clean out that ashtray......
I have one of the Sensoro Silver Bullitts....and it actually works pretty darn well for a $100.00 detector.
I saw where it actually came in 3rd in some of the tests just behind the Escort 8500 and the V1.
Hey, at least the detector let's you know that you are about to be pulled over so you can clean out that ashtray......
#34
#35
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Maz:
I had a few 'so-so' detectors over the years, and would have given the same review you did i.e. "they suck, what's the point"
A couple years ago I got tagged on the 138 (famous for speed trap where it drops from 70 to 55) was tagged for 85 in 55....
I then did a little research, and settled on the Escort Pasport 8500 (at $299).
It has saved my *** over and over again.
The key is placing it correctly, and ABSOLUTELY SLOW DOWN if it even twitters with a Ka band hit.
This all of course assumes the cop is using radar.
Frankly it was the best 300 bucks I ever spent.
I had a few 'so-so' detectors over the years, and would have given the same review you did i.e. "they suck, what's the point"
A couple years ago I got tagged on the 138 (famous for speed trap where it drops from 70 to 55) was tagged for 85 in 55....
I then did a little research, and settled on the Escort Pasport 8500 (at $299).
It has saved my *** over and over again.
The key is placing it correctly, and ABSOLUTELY SLOW DOWN if it even twitters with a Ka band hit.
This all of course assumes the cop is using radar.
Frankly it was the best 300 bucks I ever spent.
#36
Everyone has talked about avoiding radar, but some States have radar detector detector's. Yup, if your radar detector is on, they know it. So if your driving at the speed limit, you can still get BUSTED. I was traveling through Virginia to the Easter Shore, and a local pulled me over. I new the area well, and it's a speed trap. I forgot to pull the plug when I cross the State line. It's listed as an "Equipment Violation". Got tagged for $94.00.
#37
Originally Posted by Speedoholic
No detector is 100% bullet proof. But I can tell you that my Escort 8500 saved my a$$ multiple times and has practically paid itself off. However, even with a detector you always need to use common sense. Never speed in unknown or dark roads, or around hidden curves and such....
As long as you get a good brand (Escort or V1 are great), and use some common sense and drive in a responsible manner, you should be good.
I'm glad I got mine 3 years ago. I have yet to get any ticket since (knock on wood).
Good luck.
As long as you get a good brand (Escort or V1 are great), and use some common sense and drive in a responsible manner, you should be good.
I'm glad I got mine 3 years ago. I have yet to get any ticket since (knock on wood).
Good luck.
1. not plugged in. stupid g/f at the time was charging her phone.
2. not paying attention to the detector. there's always a stop where it goes off on the way to work because of cameras and for some stupid reason i wasn't paying attention to the fact that the signal was stronger. stupid me.
#38
Originally Posted by G35/SR71
Everyone has talked about avoiding radar, but some States have radar detector detector's. Yup, if your radar detector is on, they know it. So if your driving at the speed limit, you can still get BUSTED. I was traveling through Virginia to the Easter Shore, and a local pulled me over. I new the area well, and it's a speed trap. I forgot to pull the plug when I cross the State line. It's listed as an "Equipment Violation". Got tagged for $94.00.
#39
I read most of this, but....
ok first off... the 'stealth' radar detector his is speaking of above is just that. The cops can't detect that you have a radar detector. that's all it means. their detector detector is defeated. Not a big deal.
Radar/laser jammers are illegal in every state that I'm aware. However, as said before, equipment fails. If their radar/laser doesn't read correctly, they're not going to think that car must have a jammer and pull you over for it.
and I think the biggest misconception is that radar detectors are cop detectors. THEY ARE NOT. They do not detect cops. Just b/c you saw a cop and it didn't go off does NOT mean your radar detector is defective. If they don't have their radar on it shouldn't go off. My first instinct when I read the original post was that his problem was that he didn't understand how these things work. As far as I've read, nobody has said that yet, so there...now I feel better.
Radar/laser jammers are illegal in every state that I'm aware. However, as said before, equipment fails. If their radar/laser doesn't read correctly, they're not going to think that car must have a jammer and pull you over for it.
and I think the biggest misconception is that radar detectors are cop detectors. THEY ARE NOT. They do not detect cops. Just b/c you saw a cop and it didn't go off does NOT mean your radar detector is defective. If they don't have their radar on it shouldn't go off. My first instinct when I read the original post was that his problem was that he didn't understand how these things work. As far as I've read, nobody has said that yet, so there...now I feel better.
#40
Originally Posted by mkerley
ok first off... the 'stealth' radar detector his is speaking of above is just that. The cops can't detect that you have a radar detector. that's all it means. their detector detector is defeated. Not a big deal.
Radar/laser jammers are illegal in every state that I'm aware. However, as said before, equipment fails. If their radar/laser doesn't read correctly, they're not going to think that car must have a jammer and pull you over for it.
and I think the biggest misconception is that radar detectors are cop detectors. THEY ARE NOT. They do not detect cops. Just b/c you saw a cop and it didn't go off does NOT mean your radar detector is defective. If they don't have their radar on it shouldn't go off. My first instinct when I read the original post was that his problem was that he didn't understand how these things work. As far as I've read, nobody has said that yet, so there...now I feel better.
Radar/laser jammers are illegal in every state that I'm aware. However, as said before, equipment fails. If their radar/laser doesn't read correctly, they're not going to think that car must have a jammer and pull you over for it.
and I think the biggest misconception is that radar detectors are cop detectors. THEY ARE NOT. They do not detect cops. Just b/c you saw a cop and it didn't go off does NOT mean your radar detector is defective. If they don't have their radar on it shouldn't go off. My first instinct when I read the original post was that his problem was that he didn't understand how these things work. As far as I've read, nobody has said that yet, so there...now I feel better.
Last edited by mizzoutiger; 01-12-2005 at 10:08 PM.
#41
I have tried to get a DIY for installing the Escort 8500 or the Valentine V1 but cant find any. Sorry to ask this here, but I really want a radar detector which does not have cables flying all over. I live in Melbourne, Florida which is a small city and I would love to have one installed. Can someone tell me where I can have it installed here or where I can find a DIY on this forum or somewhere else?
#43
Originally Posted by G35_coupe_6MT
I have tried to get a DIY for installing the Escort 8500 or the Valentine V1 but cant find any. Sorry to ask this here, but I really want a radar detector which does not have cables flying all over. I live in Melbourne, Florida which is a small city and I would love to have one installed. Can someone tell me where I can have it installed here or where I can find a DIY on this forum or somewhere else?
#44
Originally Posted by G35_coupe_6MT
I really would like to get a Valentine V1 but I just think it is too big.