Radar Detector questions

SCVWGUY · 08-31-2003, 09:27 AM

I am going to be driving from LA to Sacramento, no I am not running for governor.

Was wondering if a radar detector was a good idea on the drive up?

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 08-31-2003, 10:03 AM

I own three--two Valentines and one Passport--and neither wife, daughter nor I are ever without one. they've saved us tens of thousands of dollars in fines and increased insurance cost in the last 20 years. (Despite the ticket my daughter got last weekend, which has already been the source of an endless series of PP posts. Enough already.)

Be aware, though, that a radar detector alone is no solution. You need to have a car ahead of you somewhere to get the cop to trigger his or her Stalker. Far enough ahead that you won't simply be busted as a flight of two, but not so far that your detector won't have the range to detect the microwave energy emitted briefly while the cop gets a speed reading on your "rabbit."

On local roads and around small towns, the cops usually drive around with their radar guns turned on all the time, even when they're in a store buying doughnuts, so your detector works just fine. On highways, however, they're way more sophisticated and only activate the gun briefly when a target comes into sight. In that situation, all that the world's best radar detector will do for you as a solitary speeder is tell you that you just got a ticket.

Stephan

lateapex911 · 08-31-2003, 10:52 AM

Steve makes great points. If I was a cop, I would have no trouble writing tickets, but mosty are pretty lacadasical when it comes to putting forth the effort. On the other hand, I would have a tough time writing tickets to well driven cars no matter the speed!

I have found, however, that it isn't alays possible to have a "rabbit". Sometimes you have to hope traffic will tempt him to pull the trigger. I have also found that when the detector (a V1) goes solid, my reaction has been to STOMP on the brakes and at the same time double checkthe mirror for close cars, although Ialways know who's behind and how far. In each case of having the trigger pulled directly on me, i drove away at 55, and nobody ever pulled out. Once I was going between 80 and 90, and actually locked the fronts momentarily.

They say if you are fast enough to get on the brakes, with certain guns you can cause them to recycle until they get a reading with an acceptable delta. So, it was either that, or the cop just shook his head and laughed, figuring the scare he put in me was enough!

I also do the bit where I travel in the same speed range as most troopers, thereby eliminating them "sneaking" up on me from behind, I rarely signal more than once, and I try to time lane changes so the occur just after I go over a crest, so as to be less obvious. And I always look up behind me as I pass entrance ramps or bridges. Good hiding spots.

The bottom line to me is, the detector is a help, but paying attention is the first defense. Finally, when i do get pulled over, I have the paperwork ready, am polite, and when he asks me what I was doing, I never admit to anything specific, but usaully shake my head in disgust and say something like "I was being an idiot". 50% of the time they laugh and shake their head, check me out on their computer, and send me on my way.

Jack Olsen · 08-31-2003, 11:44 AM

On the 5, which you'll be traveling on, the CHP generally (although not always) leave their radar units turned on, giving you loads of warning on the Ka band on a V1.

RoninLB · 08-31-2003, 12:04 PM

the I-5 had cops using the guns to time the foreward cars as they come up behind last year which is OK because you have a lot of time to adjust.. on my big rides I always follow bait about 1/8 - 1/4mi behind or I do the limit.. sometimes 3-5 baits per day will be eaten by the bears. and if I'm pulled over I say that I was following the big truck ahead. Not getting tagged is more of a chess game than a road race.........Ron

kanihitit · 09-01-2003, 04:38 PM

If you have a V1, and use it intelligently it will work flawlessly and you will not get stopped. Someone named Dr. Speed published an article on how to avoid speeding tickets. Some of the advice does not apply to us (drive an assuming car) but he also had some tips similiar to Steve's. I never lead the pack not even on my bike which can out run everything the police have but their radios. If you have flat open road leading the pack is not so much of issue. The radar waves travel far and wide in flat territory.

Good Luck and Speed Safely..