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How do you feel about radar detectors?

Discussion in 'General Automotive' started by Hardcorehehaw, Feb 22, 2009.

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How do you feel about radar detectors?

Poll closed Jul 7, 2010.
  1. I Own one and recommend them

    108 vote(s)
    30.9%
  2. They're a waste of money, unreliable

    88 vote(s)
    25.1%
  3. They're illegal in my state

    20 vote(s)
    5.7%
  4. I don't speed

    41 vote(s)
    11.7%
  5. I Want one

    67 vote(s)
    19.1%
  6. Other

    26 vote(s)
    7.4%
  1. Feb 22, 2009 at 5:23 PM
    #1
    Hardcorehehaw

    Hardcorehehaw [OP] 1 man wolf pack

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    Just wondering how people feel about radar detectors.
     
  2. Feb 22, 2009 at 5:36 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I own one. I dont really speed. Maybe 5 or so over, but I mainly use the detector as a reminder to keep my speed in check.
     
  3. Feb 22, 2009 at 5:42 PM
    #3
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    I generally don't speed because of fuel economy. Oops, i mean because of my moral fiber
     
  4. Feb 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
    #4
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

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    i feel that they are worthless with the new toys the cops have... I just dont speed much.
     
  5. Feb 22, 2009 at 5:47 PM
    #5
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    I had one for years. Then it quit working & I didn't know it. The lights would come on & I would pass cops shooting radar or laser(thank goodness I wasn't speeding) & it wouldn't go off. I estimated it wasn't working for a couple of months. So I never replaced it. I drive 10 over the speed limit & pass cops sitting on the side of the road. I heard in GA they won't bother you unless you are doing 11mph or more. I got this info from cop friends. But when going through podunk towns I adhere to the speed limit.
     
  6. Feb 22, 2009 at 6:46 PM
    #6
    Delmarva

    Delmarva Mayor of TW

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    It's the wife's T4R so it's stock
    I have one... but don't speed... weird... but I like to know where they are...
     
  7. Feb 22, 2009 at 6:56 PM
    #7
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    5-8 over won't get you in trouble in most places.....and unless you are lucky-Instant on will nail you anyways....
     
  8. Feb 22, 2009 at 6:57 PM
    #8
    thebigk

    thebigk 6 Double 5 3 2 1

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    Ken....
    Odessa, TX
    I LIVE for mine......but if there's no one in front of you to be clocked first.....it's worthless.....had 1 ticket because of that in 5yrs
     
  9. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:02 PM
    #9
    Delmarva

    Delmarva Mayor of TW

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    Tucson, AZ
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    It's the wife's T4R so it's stock
    ^^
    Easy fix for that... don't speed... :laugh:

    :D
     
  10. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:04 PM
    #10
    thebigk

    thebigk 6 Double 5 3 2 1

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    Ken....
    Odessa, TX

    That ain't EVR gonna happen! :p

    I have a written warning in my nightstand for 88 in a 55 from the NMSP. 33 over is the highest I've ever been pulled over for & got a warning. That was in 1997. :cool:
     
  11. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:04 PM
    #11
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    +1 - 1 ticket in 8 years and it's because I was on a sportbike...
     
  12. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:15 PM
    #12
    Hardcorehehaw

    Hardcorehehaw [OP] 1 man wolf pack

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    I try not to speed, but coming from a full size lifted truck, that let me know when I was speeding, I often look down and find myself going a bit too fast just because the ride is so smooth and effortless.

    On the bright side, I'm a fireman and I have a "get out of jail free card" when it comes to speeding, cops and fireman usually get along pretty well so that's nice :)
     
  13. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:28 PM
    #13
    Dockhead

    Dockhead Formarly 08TRD4X4RadientRed

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    I think radar detertors are a waste of money. My friend has one and it is constantly going off except for when it should. I know where I can and cann't go fast and can spot a police car so that is my detector
     
  14. Feb 22, 2009 at 7:34 PM
    #14
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

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    x2
     
  15. Feb 22, 2009 at 8:38 PM
    #15
    neslerrah

    neslerrah Taco lovin'

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    I do go about 5 over. But I have no use for a radar detector.
     
  16. Feb 22, 2009 at 8:44 PM
    #16
    BUK 0H5

    BUK 0H5 Still For Sale

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    I have a beltronics 995. I love it. The sheriffs out here have moving radar on all of their cars (they can clock your speed while they are driving toward you). My radar detector will pick them up from over a mile away. No exaggeration. It does no good for photo radar though because the radar vans use such low power radar that you are about 200ft from the van before the radar goes off and by then it is too late. The permanent cameras on the freeway use timing strips in the ground so there is no radar for those. Luckly the vans and cameras have signs posted before you get to them so you know to slow down. Plus if I do get a photo "ticket" I know they are a scam anyway (www.camerafraud.com).

    If you want the low down on what detectors are the best chec out this site http://www.radarbusters.com/radar-detector-info.cfm It is run by a former Lieutenant from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office who was a certified as a police traffic radar instructor. He know a thing or two about the radar and radar detector game.
     
  17. Feb 22, 2009 at 8:59 PM
    #17
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    i'd be willing to bet that you wouldnt pick out my car on the road until i light you up



    now then

    radar detectors

    theyre not going to give you enough warning when we play with instant on...i used to have one in my truck and we were playing with it one night...had a buddy sit down the road and clock me and i wanted to see when it would go off...he got my speed twice with instant on before my detector even showed signs of life...

    LIDAR...the detector will beep when youve been clocked...at that point...its too late...the laser doesnt disperse enough to give you an early warning like radar does

    pacing...all i have to do is fall in behind you for a distance and use my calibrated speedo to figure out how fast youre going

    timing...most modern in car radar units now have a stopwatch built in...and you know those little white lines across the interstate? theyre spaced a certain distance apart...we hit start when you hit one...stop when you hit the second one...the radar unit calculates how fast youre going

    visual estimate...at least in the state of SC...an officer has to be able to visually estimate how fast youre going within 3mph in order to be radar certified...this is to be able to pick out which car you just clocked doing 15 or 20 over on the interstate etc...

    why waste youre money when we have so many other ways of determining how fast youre going? :D
     
  18. Feb 22, 2009 at 9:05 PM
    #18
    thebigk

    thebigk 6 Double 5 3 2 1

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    Ken....
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    Ahh.....but in backasswards Southeast NM.....where I live.....as far as I've seen, we don't use any of those techniques. I got clocked by Laser 1 time 4 yrs ago.....by DOT.....scared the crap outta me......my detector had never made that sound.

    Now you go up north to Albuquerque.....it's like you say....they have so many ways to bust your speed it ain't even funny.
     
  19. Feb 22, 2009 at 11:21 PM
    #19
    Dockhead

    Dockhead Formarly 08TRD4X4RadientRed

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    Probably not we don't have any undercover or unmarked cars where I live so it is really easy to spot them. Plus I going through background right now for the POST academy so I only go maybe 3 miles over the limit anyways, not that I was a big speeder anyways.
    What is your patrol car, any pics?
     
  20. Feb 22, 2009 at 11:23 PM
    #20
    brianr

    brianr go shit in your hat

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    I drive like a grandma, the AZ guys can attest this to be true.
     

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