Radar Detectors Simplified

[Superman]

I'd like some simple input about radar detectors. I believe that it is difficult or impossible to protect against laser. So, forget that.

Instant-on radar is also going to get you, if used properly, so forget that too (except that you can detect this if the radar operator is checking someone out in front of you). For these reasons, and also because I am thrify (Superman is a cheapskate), I have an intention of buying an inexpensive RD. So, here's my question:

Do these things occasionally provide an actual, useful warning? That is, if I don't RELY on this device, but instead use it as additional information and possible early warning, will it come in handy? I may not even need one of these, since I have not had a citation since about 1992 (I am knocking on wood).

I think some of you will understand my feelings about these devices and offer theri observations and perhaps advice. Thanks in advance.

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'83 SC

[autobonrun]

Valentine1 is what I recommend. I would not get a cheap detector. It will give you confidence at the most inopportune time. I've used detectors since '84 starting with a noname brand, then the Escort, then a Passport, then another Escort. I switched to Valentine1 when I could get no customer support from Escort and I kept getting false signals. Being put on hold 45 minutes was not unheard of when calling the company. The later model Escort was supposed to pick up laser but would go off when driving into the sun.

The Valentine1 has detected laser accurately on multiple occasions in enough time for me to slow down. It works great on regular radar, the directional information is invaluable, and it seldom if ever falses.

True story: My first noname brand waited until the officer was standing at my window writing a ticket before it sounded an alert. We both got a big laugh from it.

[89911]

If you are not a speeder and think using a detector is going to "allow" you to speed safely, you are wrong. If you are a habitual speeded regardless of having a detector or not, they can only help.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[Superman]

Well, perhaps I'll re-think. I'm not a habitual speeder, but I do like to hang around the "ten over" area and I was hoping just to get an idea of where the Bogeys might be.

But it would surely be silly for me to spend $400 on a detector. Nobody's gonna stick up for the cheap detectors?

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'83 SC

[Jim T]

I think it depends on where you live.
Here in California, they don't use radar on the highways, I'm not sure if its even allowed on the highways.

They do use it on surface streets, though, but not as much as in the Eastern states.

True, you're gonna get nailed by instant on radar, on a deserted road with no traffic. But, even if a cop is using instant on, your detector still has a chance to pick it up if it has good range and the cop zapped a car or cars ahead of you. Since most cops don't do radar on completely deserted roads (what would be the point?), you actually have a good chance of detecting instant on.

Laser is another thing, but I bet there are far more radar guns in use than laser.

Cheap radar detectors (and I've owned some!) are not worth it. They usually have no range. But, their worst flaw is they have bad filters. Every ambulance, truck CD, supermarket, etc. etc. will often set them off. If the thing is constantly going off, it becomes useless, because you just ignore it or unplug it.

[gslater]

Superman -

Even a super cheapo detector is valuable in places like Portland, OR (where I live), because they've got all those photo radar vans and such. They're always on, and no radar detector can be surprised by them.

The Oregon State Police are pretty much all laser now, but your nice Washington State Patrol still have lots of old radars around, and although I don't speed much (if ever), I still like any additional information I can get. Situational awareness is what it's all about. I've received 4 speeding tickets in my 35 year life. Two of those were honestly undeserved, including one for allegedly going 68 in a 55 up a mountain pass in a 52 HP diesel VW Rabbit loaded with 4 big guys and all their ski stuff. After that happened, I realized that I could get bogus tickets, and I figured the more I knew, the better off I was.

Regarding the "undetectability" of laser, yes, it's true that you're pretty much screwed if the cop pulls the trigger on you at point blank range. But often they sit on the side of the road, and practice their marksmanship by trying to line you up in their sights from a long, long way out. Far enough out that the detector can sense the signal, but the reflected signal is too weak (please don't ask me to drudge up details from my Electromagnetic Field Theory class in college) for their system to lock on to. Therefore, it's possible in those cases to have some warning against laser.

I have a V1. I also have an original generation Passport, and it still does an excellent job, albeit without any kind of laser detection.

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Greg Slater
1980 SC
gslater@qwest.net

[RarlyL8]

Well, there ARE a few cops lurking around the BBS. Why don't you make yourselves usefull and give some good advice? HA!

Big S, if you're only doing 10 over the cops probably don't care. They'll go after bigger fish. You can easily stomp the brakes and lose the 10 in a split second. It is much better to be alert than lulled into a false sense of security by a detector.

[Randy W]

Valentine 1 is worth the extra money in my opinion - better than Belkin, etc. Combined with monitoring your rear view mirror and a Beartracker (monitors police frequencies and sounds HP alert), you will only get a ticket with overhead pacing HP plane (beatable in WA court) or laser on lonely roads, where there is no "try" on a car in front of you. "Someone I know" has consistently traveled at 80 mph+ on interstate and back roads without tickets (except for those before mentioned "instances"!). Happy speeding!

Randy W