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Alright... so how much can we really rely on our radar detectors?

B

brxndxn

Diamond Member
I just bought an Escort Passport 8500 radar detector since I have had some run-ins (I've gotten pulled over for going 4mph over the limit) with traffic cops and I just bought a bright red 97' Camaro Z28 with a loud Borla exhaust. I am now an *OFFICIAL* and *CONFIRMED* cop magnet. Paying the tickets is a huge waste of money and taking the tickets to court (even though I won) is still a huge waste of time. I don't even speed very much (usually 0-15 over the limit).. I am just a young guy in a bright red sports car.

Anyway, if you own a radar detector, what type is it and how well has it worked? Also, does it give enough warning to slow down for the cops?
 
My friend has one and he's gotten more tickets with one than without it~

with the amount of false alerts and by the time the alert gets in, he's already been tagged~

i'd say just drive more cautiously.

Just because you have a radar detector doesn't mean you're safe.
 
The most effective thing you can do when speeding is to pay attention. I have saved my butt numerous times by watching traffic and looking in the hiding spots. It is also very hard around here to get a ticket, Boston area, were everyone does around 70 mph.

The ultimate method to not getting caught is to not speed, duh.
rolleye.gif
 
I had a bel 890 i think. It worked great on the highway and gave me plenty of time to stop. In the city it's more of a waste because of the false alerts and how the cops can sit between buildings. It was stolen along with my stereo a few months ago and I haven't gotten around to picking up another one.

It is nice to see another f-body owner on the board. I have a '95 green firebird formula. So far 0 tickets in it. 😀
 
My brother bought one of those radar/laser scrambler/detector thingies a while back, and it never worked...$300 down the drain
 
It's saved me plenty of times, but you can still get caught. It doesn't help if they wait till you come along to turn it on... grrr. then it just goes nutz and you're already caught.
 
I have a Bel 890 and it works great. Having a detector doesn't mean you can just turn your brain off though. Still have to drive smart (watch out for speed traps and such).

 
0 tickets since...actually I got one for running 2 stop signs late at night...but no speeding tickets in 4 years
3 tickets in 4 monthes without one

the thing has saved me so many times....theres been at least 5 or 6 times where I hit hte brakes, the guy tailing me flies by and gets pulled over..
 
You wouldn't happen to live in the South or other area where cops actually give two craps about 4mph over the limit??
I think it's more the "young guy in bright red sports car" that might get you pulled over...

I've been harrassed by cops a few times because of "young guy in bright red sports car." One cop tried to give me a ticket for "improper lane change"... he said I didn't signal to change lanes... meanwhile, people are flying by at 80mph and not using signals. I use signals religiously and even had my brother in the car as a witness. I didn't need the hassle either... I was late for church and have a perfect driving record.

Easiest way to avoid speeding tickets... know your speed traps or just go with the flow of traffic. I've used other cars as "speed blockers" numerous times.
 
I've got an $80 Uniden that goes off everytime I see a cop (and the ones I don't see), so it works for me. I've never gotten a speedin ticket before, but I bought it last year so it stays that way.

The best way to not get a ticket is to not speed....

Jugs
 
I always make sure there are two or three cars ahead of me going faster. Also I slow down at any hint of a speed trap ahead.
 
I'm considering getting a V1 to add to my "driving smart." In the Bay Area, it's simply a matter of watching the rear view mirror and the mass of cars as you pass them. there's way too much traffic for them to use radar. Mostly they just drive around and act as rolling roadblocks for the traffic behind them. Out on the open road, I use other people as bait. When you get on the road, you go the speed limit until someone passes you. As they go by, you match speeds with them to figure out what they have the cruise control set to, then you let them get a half mile ahead before setting your own cruise control to the same speed. Repeat with every person that passes you and pretty soon you're doing 90 or more. Bonus points if they have a radar detector in their windshield. More bonus points if their car is big and/or flashy. I "tailed" a bling-bling Escalade with chrome 20's at over 90 MPH for around 200 miles the other day. I thought I had a winner when I found a Porsche with a detector but he was only doing 75. 🙂 A detector would be nice for when I can't find any bait that's fast enough...

In town, I pretty much go the limit, there's too many variables that make it unsafe to speed.
 
Seems the F-body likes to find me on the road instead of the F-body attracting the cops.

So yea I have been pulled over by the Camero CHP ... 😱
 
What do speed traps look like? I have been only driving for a few years now, so I'm still not very experienced. However, I never go more than ten miles over the speed limit, so I don't think I am really going fast enought to be pulled over.
 
I have a really good idea for a detector, I just dont have the know how to build it. I need to find an enineer or something to help me out.

I figure, on the open road you'll be alot better off with one. Thast also if they dont wait for you to close in too much. You have to realize, sometimes by the time that thing goes off the signal is already on its way back to the cop to give him your speed. In which case, you spenjt alot of money to find out your getting a ticket 2 minutes before you see lights in the rear view.
 
Originally posted by: rockyct
What do speed traps look like? I have been only driving for a few years now, so I'm still not very experienced. However, I never go more than ten miles over the speed limit, so I don't think I am really going fast enought to be pulled over.
Click to expand...

Usually 4 or 5 cruisers in a bunch waiting for speeders on the side of the highway... I've seen it happen a few times here in Toronto, Canada.
 
They are pretty worthless in the city.

On the highway outside city limits, I only use it to validate my own judgement. If the traffic slows down from 90 to 65, then there must be a cop around. The beeping of the radar detector confirms that.

The radar detector is not my primary source of intel. I listen to the truckers sharing info on channel 19 on the CB. I watch the traffic in front of me. I think like a cop -- where would I hide if I wanted to catch speeders?

My radar detector is just one of several methods of avoiding the speeding fee. Like anti-theft devices on a car, not one can guarantee your car won't be stolen. But put several of them together, then you reduce the chances of getting caught. Keyword - reduce. Not guarantee.
 
Originally posted by: rockyct
What do speed traps look like? I have been only driving for a few years now, so I'm still not very experienced. However, I never go more than ten miles over the speed limit, so I don't think I am really going fast enought to be pulled over.
Click to expand...

on some roads, speed limit will suddenly drop from 50mph to like 35mph - and a trooper will just pull you over when you don't speed.

i've got a V1 and haven't got a ticket in over 4 years, then again i don't do 5-10mph over the limit; i just grin as the radar picks them out one by one.
 
I also have a bel 890, and the thing about it is, I don't even use it as an excuse to speed. Like a few other folks have said, I use it along with common sense and paying attention to reduce (greatly) my chances of getting a ticket, and so far i'm around 0 for 8, so it seems to be working.
 
your 8500 is a good detector but i notice people get a false sense of security with it and end up getting tickets anyway.
 
I have nothing to add to this about radar detectors, but yesterday I was doing about 85 in a 65 with a CHP right behind me for about 1/4 mile and he didn't do jack 😀 weeeeeeeeeeeee, phwew 😉
 
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