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I ran with an old radar detector for years and was never tagged. Mostly because a detector should not be your primary defense. It is secondary or even tertiary to being alert and knowing how and where cops operate.
But even with that, I caught a lot of signals and slowed appropriately when my old detector went off. If there were cops hitting me with a new band that i did not detect, i never knew it. Besides, there really aren't that many bands and most detectors will catch them even if they are not the latest model.
As for instant-on, a typical radar detector will acquire a signal from miles away and that combined with the fact that a cop using instant on turns it on often - gives you plenty of forewarning. Even if you do run into instant on that has not been triggered for a while, you should see the cop as soon as or before he sees you (or you should have noticed the changes in the behavior of drivers in the cars far ahead of you), again giving plenty of warning. BTW, If you don't know where cops typically hide because you are not familiar with the road, then you have no real business doing more than five-to-ten above on that road anyway.
The biggest danger to a dedicated speeder though is not instant on, but LIDAR. But in this case i refer you back to the statement that you should see him at the same time he sees you.
Speeding is not about sitting back, relaxing, and hauling ass. If you are out there moving with a purpose, then you should also be at your highest state of alert; scanning all the time in all three zones for dangerous conditions, dangerous drivers, and for cops hiding in any and every possible location.
Last edited by blktoptrvl; 12-29-2014 at 06:46 PM..
I have never understood why something whose ONLY purpose is to help you break the law, is legal. (I guess this is why radar detectors are NOT legal in many states.)
I used to speed occasionally, 'til I realized that I would get home, what, a whole 5 minutes sooner? Seemed pretty stupid when I looked at it that way.
I will take my perfect driving record -- zero tickets, zero accidents -- and very low insurance rates, thank you very much.
A radar detector is just a device that alerts when it detects radar. It does not make your car go faster nor does it interfere with police radar. Some police departments have been proven to abuse the act of traffic enforcement (for revenue purposes) so there are precedents for giving citizens the ability to AVOID radar.
People are allowed to own scanners (radios) that monitor police frequencies. Why not a radar detector?
I've had several standalone units over the years that plug into the dash, the Valentine One was by far the best of them, but nowadays the dedicated systems that are installed into the front/rear bumpers are much more accurate than any standalone.
When I bought my last 911, it came with a system already installed, it was a $2k option from the dealer. It's saved me a couple times when there was no one else around for me to see brake lights or pick up on radar from another car, so it's been worthwhile to me.
The downside though, is that it seems every single new Audi on the road sets it off all the time.
A radar detector is just a device that alerts when it detects radar. It does not make your car go faster nor does it interfere with police radar. Some police departments have been proven to abuse the act of traffic enforcement (for revenue purposes) so there are precedents for giving citizens the ability to AVOID radar.
People are allowed to own scanners (radios) that monitor police frequencies. Why not a radar detector?
Because a radar detector's ONLY purpose is to help you break the law; it has absolutely no other purpose.
Someone posted earlier that radar detectors are illegal in only 2 states; if that is the case, then I think the laws must have changed in some states, as I seem to recall that they used to be illegal in a lot more states. Honestly, I think they should be illegal everywhere. You certainly don't have to agree.
I use the Escort Passport. Have problems with it in "Service Required" and "Self Calibrating" modes quite frequently though. Does this all the time and must reset and turn it off and back on. It will work okay otherwise, for the most part. Does have some false laser warnings. Nice to have for speed traps where they sit off to the side, discreetly and unmarked, to catch people on the downhills into towns where the speed is declining. I don't use it much in urban areas because the prevailing speed is usually about the speed limit or just above. Also nice that it gives you a good idea about what kind of radar is used and where. Makes the regular route to work more manageable.
Because a radar detector's ONLY purpose is to help you break the law; it has absolutely no other purpose.
Someone posted earlier that radar detectors are illegal in only 2 states; if that is the case, then I think the laws must have changed in some states, as I seem to recall that they used to be illegal in a lot more states. Honestly, I think they should be illegal everywhere. You certainly don't have to agree.
The Communications Act of 1934 allows radar detectors as they are just radio receivers. If somebody in VA or DC got a ticket to a Federal Court these illegal laws would be overturned. This is what happened in CT.
If law enforcement was concerned with safety they would not be hidden to catch speeders; they would be very visible. Most people I know slow down when they see a cop. The hidden cop is just a way to generate revenue.
I guess you believe cops never make mistakes either.
In Wyoming, all HP have single ping radar units. So,, if your detector goes off, it usually means he just got you.
A good detector will detect 5-8 miles, so if he checks somebody in front of you, you will get an alarm and can slow down. Trouble is, we have very little traffic and there is nobody ahead. I used to drive professionally and many times I drive from Sheridan to Gillette, 115 miles and never saw another car, either coming at me, or going the same direction. Ideally follow another car about a half to threw quarters of a mile behind them. Hopefully they'll ping them and set off your detector. The HP are even smart to that. One evening I followed a HP and he would ping every 5th car he met. haha
Are they worth it? This is another Simple Question with a Complicated Answer.
If you consider the cost of getting stopped one time, (even keeping up with the flow that happens to be going 10 mph over the limit), you end up with a fine, court costs, and insurance premium bump consequences that START at hundreds of dollars.
If you drive such that you are at risk, one or two saves will pay for the top end gear.
All the above arguments about police using RDs to do 1-ping are correct, but the statement misses the point that you still enjoy some advance warning if they ping one of the cars in front of you, and you detect the scatter. This goes along with a poster above who says that you don't just get an RD and then hammer-down. You get someone clueless as a 'front door' and follow them.
Also, it's true that Lasers are much more likely to be used in a way that will keep you from avoiding being caught. Less scatter to detect, and they are mostly used as 1-ping. However, economics are on your side. A Laser gun cost a lot more than a simple radar gun, so most jurisdictions get a bunch of radars instead, in the belief that they will get more revenue (or improve road safety). More 'bang for their buck'.
Yes, you can spend the $1k more to upgrade your Laser detector to a 'jammer" (aka 'laser shifting'), but unless you live in one of those jurisdictions that have a lot of Lasers, they are probably not worth it.
I know someone who had been driving over 40 years and have always had a RD, with a radar detection capability. They told me they've seen a Laser gun being used about 4 times, total. I'm sure there are some places where it's common, but there are some where they area VERY rare.
I have a valentine v-1 radar/laser detector and has saved me numerous times mainly by reminding me to check my speed. My gps navigation system is more useful as it lists the speed limit and the speed i am going. My speed is displayed in red when going over and particularly helpful when traveling on roads with alot of changing speed limits.
Don't speed and you won't need radar detector. Drive a older Lincoln or caddilac that will slow folks down.
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