• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

I bought Radar Detector but don't speed.

Raizinman

Raizinman

Platinum Member
My wife does not understand why I purchased an Escort 9500ix Radar Detector. If you are unfamiliar with this model, it's certainly in the top 1 or 2 of the best detectors in the world. With shipping and handling it runs about $525. I have been using it for the last 6 months.

Now, she claims that I do not drive wrecklessly, I do not speed, I have not received any moving violations in the last 25 years, but nevertheless, I bought one. I like the idea of knowing that at the bottom of the hill or around the curve is a cop hiding with radar before I get there. I believe that with most police budgets being cut short, that tickets are the easiest and biggest money maker for the police. Consequently, the gray area of a few miles over the speed limit is certainly up for interpretation.

What if I'm going down a hill where the posted speed is 45 MPH. The car, due to gravity starts to pick up speed. At what point should I put on the brakes? At 46? At 50? At 52? Obviously, each police department and perhaps each officer has their own idea of how fast over the speed limit someone can go without being cited with a ticket. My point is: Wouldn't you like to know that there is radar at the bottom of the hill so that you don't have to endure the possibility of getting a ticket for going 52 MPH? If my radar detector warned me at the top of the hill, I would certainly make sure that I was going no more than 45 or perhaps even less when going down the hill. Yes, I would rather wear out the brakes a little bit then be late to work, and then having to go to court and pay a fine.
 
You think the number of tickets you're going to get in that specific situation is going to cost you more than $525? I doubt it.
 
If your purpose is to have a radar detector that is quiet around known traps, learns by GPS, but is not the most sensitive, cannot show the number of bogeys, and cannot show direction of the bogey, then you have chosen correctly. If the above statement does not fit you, you bought the wrong one.
 
Do these things still actually work??? With todays technology out there, I think they are a waste of $$$$
 
It wouldn't work if the cop pulled you over and ticketed you for wreckless driving, non working equipment or improper lane change etc. These days, I'm noticing more cops giving out smaller tickets that depending on your state, can't be easily contested or the fine is too small to even consider a traffic lawyer..
 
God Mode said:
It wouldn't work if the cop pulled you over and ticketed you for wreckless driving, non working equipment or improper lane change etc. These days, I'm noticing more cops giving out smaller tickets that depending on your state, can't be easily contested or the fine is too small to even consider a traffic lawyer..
Click to expand...

Yep. I remember the good old days when the Police were there to actually stop crime. Now all they are, are a bunch of traffic cops with guns.
 
It's a fun game. I like to tell mine when it's going off "Where is he girl? Find him! Where's he at girl, go get him!"
 
seems like you would have been fine with a cheaper model. but if you have the money to waste then whatever...
 
mrrman said:
Do these things still actually work??? With todays technology out there, I think they are a waste of $$$$
Click to expand...

A good one (i.e. not a Cobra from WalMart/RadioShack) does "work" in the sense that it will detect X, K, Ka, and usually laser. It will detect a frequency range that fits the various radar and laser guns. X is almost never used by police anymore; you'll find it on alarm systems and sometimes door openers. K is still common for police, and very common as a door opener. In signal strength, it's a little lower as a door opener - but a clever cop can use a door opener as a backdrop to his signal, at which point only sharp eyes or a bogey counter will save you. Many officers these days use IO (instant-on), which is troublesome, as you don't get an advance warning, unless you were in detector range (<1 mile) when they triggered it at another vehicle.

As for laser, generally, they can detect it, but you don't get a warning, because a laser signal has very small spread. For proper laser detection, you would be better suited with a jammer system, involving two heads front and rear, which project a signal of the same wavelength light (690nm I believe; invisible to the eye).

So the major technology jump from older detectors is laser; if you have a jammer, you're generally safe from that. The bigger difference is that police now use IO for radar guns, and there isn't really a defense against that except awareness.
 
rcpratt said:
You think the number of tickets you're going to get in that specific situation is going to cost you more than $525? I doubt it.
Click to expand...

Once you factor in the cost of your insurance rates increasing until the ticket drops off after three years.... might be an even trade off.

Edit: and what MotF Bane said.
 
Maybe might be close, but I don't think my insurance rates increased enough after my one ticket to cost a total of $500+. Anyways, if that is seriously the only situation he's concerned about getting a speeding ticket in, it's still very unlikely.
 
Sinsear said:
That's great, but there are features on radar guns built in to defeat your "detector".
Click to expand...

And most police departments don't have them. Mine saves me from a ticket just about every day as I travel a lot for work. Not a day goes by that it doesn't go off finding police and gives me plenty of warning to slow down.

The only time I got a ticket was from laser, and even then the police have to SEE you and point the gun at you. Normally you can see them first as well.
 
Radar detector users usually are the ones slamming on the brakes for no damn reason...traffic's doing 5 over and they are frightened into jamming on their brakes, while I just keep going right on by them and the cop...
 
We each have our ways of throwing away money. You don't need to justify it. You wanted something, so you bought it. Have fun with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top