Radar Detectors Worth it or Not?

[AoWolf]

About 6 months ago I bought my first car on eBay. (88 Porsche 924s) I have yet to get a speeding ticket a speeding ticket, but have had some close calls. I was wondering what people here think about radar/laser detectors: Do they work? Do you own one? If so what brand. I would also like to avoid questioning the morality of speeding (your not gonna convince a 19 year old American!)

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Depends on the type... The best one is the Valentine 1.

But, be mindful, many departments use other methods to get speeders. If you're going 95 by a speed trap, a cop can tell, and doesn't need radar to get you. Better than a detector is common sense when speeding - just being smart about it and knowing their spots will almost always guarantee you remain ticket free. Slow down by turnarounds, underpasses, etc. Know the local undercover units, stuff like that....

I suppose it helps since I have family members on the State Police here, and my uncle is a Chief of Police. My best advice is to only speed on freeways with little to no traffic, and open sides where you can see ahead (and behind). It's funny, sometimes you're going 90 on the highway and a car comes up behind you doing 95 - many times its a cop, undercover or off duty. Be mindful of stuff like that. Unless you have some identification on your vehicle that you are a cop, son/daughter/family member of one, pull over and let them pass you. 😉

 

[bigandy]

consider one - if they sell them in the us - that has gps, and a list of hotspots/fixed cameras. they're the most popular here, and teh be good 😉

 

[Evangelion]

You might wish to avoid this discussion, but I can't help it: Instead of buying a radar-detector, try obeying the law. That really is the simplest solution to this problem. You have had few "close calls" in 6 months of driving? I have been driving for 12 years and I have had zero tickets, and zero close calls.

Seriously: just obey the law. That way you respect the other road-users. Radar-detectors are just tools you use to go around the fact that you feel that common rules and laws do not apply to you. Well, they do.

 

[bigandy]

If you don't like it, choose another thread to look at. 😉

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

You might wish to avoid this discussion, but I can't help it: Instead of buying a radar-detector, try obeying the law. That really is the simplest solution to this problem. You have had few "close calls" in 6 months of driving? I have been driving for 12 years and I have had zero tickets, and zero close calls.

Seriously: just obey the law. That way you respect the other road-users. Radar-detectors are just tools you use to go around the fact that you feel that common rules and laws do not apply to you. Well, they do.

The OP specifically asked that this question not be brought up. If you disagree, simply don't post - that's a good rule of thumb to follow here on the forms.

 

[BoyBach]

They are a complete waste of money - just obey the speed limit and you'll save yourself a lot of money, bother and possibly a life.

(And if the OP wants to avoid 'moralising posts' then I suggest he/she change the title to this thread.)

 

[bigandy]

They are a complete waste of money - just obey the speed limit and you'll save yourself a lot of money, bother and possibly a life.

(And if the OP wants to avoid 'moralising posts' then I suggest he/she change the title to this thread.)

It's quite obvious that the OP is questioning the financial value (and potential savings) through purchasing such a device.

Let me quote:

If you disagree, simply don't post - that's a good rule of thumb to follow here on the forms.

 

[martinmartin]

i have a valentine 1 for radar and a passport laser shifter for laser.

the V1 is the best radar detector IMO. laser jammers require installation, which isnt as convenient as the radar detector, but if the cops in your area use laser instead of radar, then the V1 will only let you know that you're about to get a ticket (once youve been hit, it's too late). The laser jammer will 'deflect' their signal and notify you, giving you time to slow down.

if you get hit with instant on radar, youre screwed, unless you have something illegal in your car to block it.

keep in mind, these devices are illegal in certain states (such as VA, DC, etc.)

even with these devices, though, youre best bet is probably still smart driving - knowing where and when its 'ok' to speed. depending on these devices blindly is nothing but trouble.

cheers.

 

[BoyBach]

It's quite obvious that the OP is questioning the financial value (and potential savings) through purchasing such a device.

The title asks are they "Worth it or Not?" and I say that their not "worth it". That's why I suggest the title be changed to reflect the question, maybe to something like "Recommend a model or brand". Therefore my response seems to be perfectly reasonable to me?

 

[Evangelion]

The OP specifically asked that this question not be brought up.

And I acknowledged that. But maybe we should discuss the morality of his actions?

If you disagree, simply don't post - that's a good rule of thumb to follow here on the forms.

Maybe another "rule of thumb" to follow is "obey the law"? Why is it OK to discuss tools and methods that help people break the law, when the by far the easiest solution is to simply obey the law, instead of treating public roads as your personal playground?

Discussion about warez is verboten here. Why is it OK to have discussions that in the end are about breaking the speed-limit, and getting away with it?

 

[AoWolf]

i have a valentine 1 for radar and a passport laser shifter for laser.

the V1 is the best radar detector IMO. laser jammers require installation, which isnt as convenient as the radar detector, but if the cops in your area use laser instead of radar, then the V1 will only let you know that you're about to get a ticket (once youve been hit, it's too late). The laser jammer will 'deflect' their signal and notify you, giving you time to slow down.

if you get hit with instant on radar, youre screwed, unless you have something illegal in your car to block it.

keep in mind, these devices are illegal in certain states (such as VA, DC, etc.)

even with these devices, though, youre best bet is probably still smart driving - knowing where and when its 'ok' to speed. depending on these devices blindly is nothing but trouble.

cheers.

I think I have done a good job so far of smart driving, I have a pretty good idea of were the hot spots are such. My biggest worry is the cop coming the other direction hidden in traffic or sneaking up behind me. As to thouse saying to drive the speed limit, believe it or not its not always possible on I-4 without pissing off everyone around you. My car is a pretty big target =/

 

[yg17]

I have a low end Beltronics one that has paid for itself about a million times by now. I've got quite the lead foot and and have yet to get a ticket.

 

[design-is]

<snip>
Discussion about warez is verboten here. Why is it OK to have discussions that in the end are about breaking the speed-limit, and getting away with it?

Indeed - surely coherency in rules would be a good rule of thumb to follow here on the forms. 😉

But, on topic, I think they are helpful at least as a reminder to check your speed...

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

And I acknowledged that. But maybe we should discuss the morality of his actions?

It's not your job to police the world, especially on the internet. If the mods/admins of this forum want to Wasteland this thread, it's their choice, not yours. I suggest using the "Report Post" link if you feel offended.

Maybe another "rule of thumb" to follow is "obey the law"? Why is it OK to discuss tools and methods that help people break the law, when the by far the easiest solution is to simply obey the law, instead of treating public roads as your personal playground?

Radar/Laser detectors are legal in many states.

By your logic, the use of computers would pormotes piracy. We don't outlaw the discussion of computers because of the possible ends.

Discussion about warez is verboten here. Why is it OK to have discussions that in the end are about breaking the speed-limit, and getting away with it?

Once again, if you feel these threads are offensive, you could
a) not bother posting,
b) better yet, not even click on threads that you might have issues with,
c) or, report the verboten post.

 

[rfrankl]

If you are the loan person on a road speeding away, no radar detector will help you. With instant on, you are clocked already the instant your radar detector would of gone off. I find if you just go with the flow in traffic, you will not get a ticket. It is the guy who is weaving through traffic that will.

Like another posted already said, you can get a ticket from other means of speed detection. Some highways have the white lines painted on them, and a plane over head that times how long it took you to cross the set of lines translating into your speed, and can give you a ticket off that.

I don't see the point of radar detectors. I had them as a kid when it was just X and K band, but just don't drive crazy and you shouldn't get a ticket.

 

[martinmartin]

I think I have done a good job so far of smart driving, I have a pretty good idea of were the hot spots are such. My biggest worry is the cop coming the other direction hidden in traffic or sneaking up behind me. As to thouse saying to drive the speed limit, believe it or not its not always possible on I-4 without pissing off everyone around you. My car is a pretty big target =/

Keep in mind that larger cars/SUVs are easier to hit with laser than smaller cars. in other words, all other things equal, a laser jammer will be less effective on a large vehicle than a small one.

i participate in a car enthusiast board and, in terms of radar detectors, i would say the majority of people recommend the V1. the rest recommend the top of the line escort passport model. no one really mentions any other ones.

 

[Counterfit]

Seriously: just obey the law. That way you respect the other road-users. Radar-detectors are just tools you use to go around the fact that you feel that common rules and laws do not apply to you. Well, they do.

Because every speed limit everywhere in the U.S. is perfect and limits are never unreasonably reduced to create revenue.

 

[Greasyman]

Some people who know prefer a cb radio or scanner or both. With the scanner you might hear the cops and you'll know they're in the area. If the scanner also has cb bands (afaik not all do) you can also hear cb users warning each other about the cops in the area.

Many years ago I bought a low end radar detector from Radio Shack and it was a piece of junk. It gave so many false alarms it was unuseable.

 

[Consultant]

Because every speed limit everywhere in the U.S. is perfect and limits are never unreasonably reduced to create revenue.

Yeah there are speed trap towns.

The town I work has many roads with speed limits of 25mph. That means you can typically drive faster in a school zone in the city then on these roads. And boy there are tons of police giving out speeding tickets. One town away, people drive 40-50mph on similar roads.

Valentine 1 is said to work. My friend with a Porsche swears by it. Wish I bought one. Low end stuff doesn't work very well though.

It's definitely worth it if you drive normally (over 50% people drive above speed limit), and sometimes have to drive through speed-trap towns / roads.

 

[AoWolf]

I don't see the point of radar detectors. I had them as a kid when it was just X and K band, but just don't drive crazy and you shouldn't get a ticket.

I am not driving crazy at all, I really just want to be safe driving with the traffic into and out of work. Like I said my biggest fear is that the cops will pick the guy in the sports care over the minivan 🙁

 

[martinmartin]

I am not driving crazy at all, I really just want to be safe driving with the traffic into and out of work. Like I said my biggest fear is that the cops will pick the guy in the sports care over the minivan 🙁

so when you said 'big target,' you meant because its a sports car, not because it was a big SUV...

 

[obeygiant]

if it saves you from one ticket its worth it. I had one while in college, when I couldn't keep my speed down and I definitely avoided a ticket or two. These days I don't seem to be in as much of a hurry and am comfortable at the posted speed. Who Knew, right?

 

[Bobdude161]

I'm going to reiterate what PlymouthBreezer said. Although detectors can catch most cops, it mostly comes down to knowing when and where to speed.

I only speed in minimal traffic and when I can see at least half a mile in front and behind me and see approx 50 feet on the sides of the road throughout that half mile (or places where there are no shoulders or hidden roads for cops). Also being in the middle of a speeding caravan (group of cars) can save you as well, unless there are 3 cops waiting to speed trap a caravan and I know where those happen in my area. Also if semi-trucks are speeding, stay within their area and go along with their speed. I've noticed that cops will pull over a speeding semi rather than a car.

I hate the speed limits here in Indiana. They're in increments of 20, 30, 40 and 50. I'm used to KY speeds of 25, 35, 45 and 55. And seeing how I always go the "5 above" speed, I catch my self going 10 miles over too many times.

 

[ErikCLDR]

Yea the best thing is knowing where the cops usually are.

I know every speed trap location between the highway and my house.

Radar detectors are ok but there is technology that can trick them. I believe the CT law is that Radar detectors are illegal but only if you get caught for speeding or something like that.