Radar Detectors

Like others have said, the Valentine1 is the way to go, at least IMO. If you're having trouble with laser, you can always build a small device that will jam a the specific frequency of laser that is being used or buy one of the high dollar jamming devices.

Keep in mind some of these devices are specifically prohibited by the FCC.

 

My radar detector sits in the passenger seat. She is the wife.

 

I'm a police officer in Alabama and I write plenty of speeding citations with radar detectors on the dash ( also thrown in the floorboard upon stopping) I don't ride with my radar on the "ON" position , when I see a vehicle traveling faster than normal , I simply hit front or rear , lock it, and flip it stationary again. Alot of people tell me that their radar detector never made a sound.

 

My Bel senses the KA band instant-on pretty quickly. The Cherokee County Sheriff's dept who patrols near my house like to use instant-on.

Typically the cheap cobra detectors are garbage.

If you are gonna get one, dont spend less than $250.

 

I too have the passport 8500, best damn detector i have ever owned. Well worth the extra cost.

 

i'm talking about when its not going off. eventually your speed keeps creeping cause you naturally assume you will have a warning before a cop sees you. then when you get hit with a laser or the on/off radar your screwed. you were doing 100mph thinking you were safe then BAM! ticket. the few times i've used on while on trips with people i find that happening to me (minus the ticket part) and alot of my friends have admitted if htey get lasered they are getting huge tickets. it may protect you 90% of hte time but that remaining 10% can really fuck you up

 

i figure they help out alot of people, but cops like you who have found ways around them make them pointless imho. if they made a device that worked 100% of the time no matter what, then i'd be interested. i dont want a car that is guaranteed to start only a percentage of the time, and i dont want a radar detector that will only protect me a certain percentage of the time. i just keep my eyes open and try not to go 10 over the speed limit at the very most. i'm pretty fuel conscious so thats really no problem for me anyway. even if i could drive 90 everywhere without getting busted i still wouldn't want to pay the gas bill

 

If you are drifting up that much in speed, then you are not paying attention to your driving, and deserve your ticket. I'm typically pretty close to the posted limits. I still double check when the V1 speaks. If I'm even just a few mph over, I'll adjust accordingly.

 

lol. nice

 

I agree 3 of my cars have the V1 and never failed me yet!

 

thats what cruise control is for. typically nobody buys a fuzz detector unless they are planning on driving fast as shit. what you are describing is what most people do on a regular basis without the detector

 

Yes it is, and I use it constantly. I still have to drive through some seriously patrolled roads, and don't reset the cruise to use it going through the short stints of reduced speeds. I simply disengage it and drive through the areas using my foot for speed control. I still watch my speeds closely, and like to know when the police are fishing for revenue.

 

I guess it is nice to know when they are around, whether you plan on speeding or not.

 

Don't be ridiculous

 

This is the reason they're a complete waste of money. This... and the fact that I don't speed b/c it doesn't make a meaningful difference in time anyway.

 

Sounds like maybe over $500 wasted. Thanks for saving me some $$.

 

i've noticed that as well. i cant tell you how many times on the highway i've been passed by people doing 90 or faster, just to end up next to them at a redlight once i get off the interstate.

 

Not just that, but if you do the math you'll find that averaging 15mph faster (which is significantly faster when you're talking 70 to 85mph) gets you to your destination just seconds sooner when you're driving around town.

Driving long distances starts to make it matter, but red lights, pit stops, etc. even the score a bit, like you said.

 

Wow, didn't see that comment coming in a discussion about radar detectors. I may have to remember that next time. Getting a radar detector is about personal preference. It all depends on what you need, and how you drive.

I have a radar detector in each of my vehicles. I have the Escort 8500 in my wife's car and my Ranger, and the concealed SR-7 in the Tacoma. They both work great. I don't need to justify to others why I have them, or why I use them, I just do, and will have one in every vehicle I own. I love the Escort models personally. They have all done well for me.

I believe you do get what you pay for in radar detection. No matter how much you spend, unless you found some jamming technology NASA hasn't figured out yet, MOST of the time, there isn't anything you can do with laser. If you are lucky, and catch a deflection, a good unit may help you. I have tried Cobras and Whistlers as well, and neither compare to the Escort IMHO.

Some people like to debate the differences between brands, but the Escort brand and the Beltronics brand are both owned by the same company, and essentially have the same technologies across their lines. Some like the V1, and I can understand that with the arrow thing. But for me, it doesn't matter where the alert is coming from.

 

If you want one, get a Valentine 1. There is no comparison. The key is to have one that has long range. That way you can pick up an officer who is "triggering" from a far distance. However, if your the only truck around, and he triggers you, then your toast. My V1 has a range of at least 2 miles, and sometimes more, depending on terrain. I once picked up a radar a full 3 miles away. Thats impressive! It has save me countless times in the nearly 10 years of owning it. I am by no means a speed demon, but I do find myself over the limit often.