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You want a device which detects laser, and multi band radar. I have an older Beltronics which continues to be a reliable unit.
As for the cops 'understanding' you if you have a detector, I would think it would be just the opposite: In spite of your attempts to thwart me, I got you. Have a nice day.
Some states...Virginia, for instance, ban detectors, and will give you a ticket (they have a way to monitor your unit's beam) if they catch you using one.
Yes, there are more cops behind every bush and berm these days. If I understand it correctly the local departments have told their cops that if they want to keep their jobs, the better write enough tickets to pay for their costs. It is VERY annoying and does nothing to ingratiate motorists and police, which is already a strained relationship.
I live in Virginia and use an Escort Redline because it has the longest range and is undetectable to police "sniffer" units. I also have an Escort Qi45 which has the receiver mounted behind the grill of my BMW. Both are hardwired so they can't be seen.
Just a short warning, in Ontario, Canada, radar detectors are illegal, for "everyone " .
The fine is $500, the device is seized at the roadside, and anyone from outside of the Province is given this alternative........... You can skip the fine, and the seizure, by putting the device on the road, and DRIVING OVER IT.
Solves the problem, every time. I love creative justice.
Jim B.
Toronto.
Reason #43,827 why it is pointless to go to Canada.
OP, you might want to consider joining NMA the National Motorist's Association.
As for detectors, for my money the Valentine is in a class by itself, it not only alerts but gives the direction the radar is coming from.
Do the Valentines have built in GPS for false signal memory yet?
When I bought mine, I got the Escort 9500ix, the Valentine didn't.
IF, I repeat, IF the Valentine doesn't have the GPS to lockout false signals, I would go with the Escort instead. The reason why is that there are a lot of false alarms on most major freeways and roads. I was afraid that I would ignore alerts too often and get snagged.
When researching radar detectors, everything I read said that the Valentine was better at actually detecting radar signals along with letting you know if they are in front of you are behind. So if the Valentines now have GPS, I would most likely recommend going that route.
Does anyone here own a radar detector? I have been thinking of buying one since I have recently been stopped for speeding and have noticed an overabundance of police monitoring the road (I know that's their job!). If you do have one is there much difference between the higher dollar ones which I have seen $500 with all sorts of bells and whistles and the lower priced ones?
Do you also think you're less likely to get any leniency from a police officer if you do have a radar detector and still get stopped for speeding?
V1. Well worth it. If it only saves me from one ticket while I own it, it's paid for itself saving me fines, hassle, day off of work to go to court, defensive driving, or higher insurance premiums.
There are many ways to avoid speeding tickets, and a quality detector is just one tool I use. YMMV.
BTW, when it comes to laser, if your detector goes off, it essentially means you are going to get a ticket if you were speeding.
Not always Pedro.
Instant on radar and Laser are the most difficult to be warned of ahead of time, but if you are driving in traffic, it's very common to get bounce off from cars ahead of you.
Laser is the trickiest, because you get less warning with them. Of course Laser jammers are legal in Texas, and some of the products work well.
BTW, when it comes to laser, if your detector goes off, it essentially means you are going to get a ticket if you were speeding.
I don't know how many times I have to say it but your statement is not true unless you are the front car of traffic or the only car on the road. The police officer (stationary) must aim his laser at exactly one car at a time. He looks through a viewfinder. If he does that to a car in front of you your radar detector will pick it up (if its laser capability is good). If you are part of traffic flow you are likely to get enough advance warning.
My own experience with the V1 is that detection of laser gives half the distance and time of detection against conventional radar. So you must be vigilant.
No matter what the cop has - if you are in the front you are vulnerable to instant on no matter what kind of detector you have.
The cops park in very predictable spots along my commute route. So if I am the only car, I make sure that I slow down in these spots. In one spot, you come up over the crest of a small hill, and as you are coming over the crest, the cop is at the bottom with his radar on you before you realize it. In that spot, I pay close attention to the other cars as they go over the crest, and if I see brake lights, I slow down to 45MPH.
It seems to me the enforcement officers tend to gravitate to one particular highway all at one time. I see six of them on my commute in one day, and then no sign of them for a month, then six again. Sometimes they are only a few hundred meters apart.
I haven't used a Radar detector in years...the Highways are just too Saturated with Law Enforcement to do anything other than the posted speed limit.
LOL, made me spill my coffee. Thanks for the laugh.
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