radar detector is actually useful

[OS]

Twice this week, my crappy radar detector has actually helped me out. It's a crappy whistler I bought from buy.com for 30 dollars on clearance.

first time, I was cruising along at 85ish and I see a motorcycle about 1000 feet behind me. Whenever this happens, I slow down just in case it's a cop but that day radar detector also started beeping an unusual manner. This bike later catches up and it's a police bike.

second time, I merge into another freeway and get behind a crown vic. I notice immediately it's a discretely setup CHP vehicle and about the same time my detector starts beeping again in a freakish way.

I say "useful" instead of "saved my ass" because both times I spotted the cop with enough time to react. I have to say also though that it false alot for certain bands. I kind of want to buy a nicer radar detector now.

 

[Maximus96]

i like my Bel 980 too...until it stopped working a week ago. and the sh!tty part is i no long have my receipt and have to pay $89 for out of warranty service...but its still cheaper than buying another one

 

[CrazyDe1]

Radar detectors rule

 

[TechnoKid]

Laser jammers rule too. Think lidek.

 

[Black88GTA]

I love my Passport 8500 Saved me a few times.

Wish I could afford a V1 though.

 

[Ryan]

Bah - never had to use one. I go exactly 10mph over the limit everwhere, excluding school zones, and housing areas Never got a ticket or been pulled over

 

[brxndxn]

I like my Escort Passport 8500.. I didn't have a radar detector and got 3 speeding tickets in my Ford Tbird.. In my red, loud, Camaro Z28, I haven't gotten a single ticket with my Passport 8500.

I'll consider it damn useful because it usually alerts of cops before they're in visual range.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: zaku
i like my Bel 980 too...until it stopped working a week ago. and the sh!tty part is i no long have my receipt and have to pay $89 for out of warranty service...but its still cheaper than buying another one

The 980's nice, but I went with the 970 LR since it had superior K band sensitivity, since that is primarily what is in use in my area. I didn't realy need the digital voice alert for the SWS either.

I have gone with the high end Bel-Tronics every time I need a new one...there are none better IMO.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
Bah - never had to use one. I go exactly 10mph over the limit everwhere, excluding school zones, and housing areas Never got a ticket or been pulled over

It's not just about getting caught or not. It's also about having an extra point of information. Like I said, in both my examples, I had plenty of time to react from just me spotting suspicious vehicles. But it sure was nice that the detector confirmed that I was being monitored.

 

[Mark]

can someone recommend me a good radar detector? i didnt even know they still worked in this day and age.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

I always listen to my music real loud so my radar detector was essentially fvcking useless. After getting pulled over once I even had a cop tell me " I'm surprised your radar detector didn't tip you off" to which I got to sheepishly reply "I didn't hear it" It did let me know whenever I was near any automatic doors though

Fvcking overused x band...

 

[toant103]

not legal here in VA

 

[0roo0roo]

i just remember a review in car and driver? that showed a direct correlation between price and effectiverness

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
I always listen to my music real loud so my radar detector was essentially fvcking useless. After getting pulled over once I even had a cop tell me " I'm surprised your radar detector didn't tip you off" to which I got to sheepishly reply "I didn't hear it" It did let me know whenever I was near any automatic doors though

Fvcking overused x band...

Damn... you're supposed to hide it if you get pulled. I always figure they're more inclined to write you a ticket if they see it. Although, if they're close enough to see you fumbling w/ something and stashing it that's probably worse.

 

[The Stigenator]

my cobra 9600 has paid for itself many times over.

I love San Luis Obispo cops, at one time they ran around with radar on Ka Band.
I find Sacramento county cops (CHP and Sherrifs dept) run around with radar on for the most part.

Its saved my ass once hauling over 90 mph on I-5 in a caravan, the first guy got clocked when he went under the underpass, i got the signal and slowed down to 80 (hard brake) and crossed without getting a ticket, the first guy got one.

 

[bolido2000]

I have the same Whistler radar and the thing is useless. It gives so many false alarms that I don't even bother turn it on anymore. Besides I always spot the cops before the radar does. On the open hwy is actually pretty useful.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
I always listen to my music real loud so my radar detector was essentially fvcking useless. After getting pulled over once I even had a cop tell me " I'm surprised your radar detector didn't tip you off" to which I got to sheepishly reply "I didn't hear it" It did let me know whenever I was near any automatic doors though

Fvcking overused x band...

Damn... you're supposed to hide it if you get pulled. I always figure they're more inclined to write you a ticket if they see it. Although, if they're close enough to see you fumbling w/ something and stashing it that's probably worse.

I've never done that. If they catch me they catch me. I earned it and I'm not trying to get out of a ticket. That never really works anyway. Besides, that ticket was a 75 or so in a 55 iirc. No way I was getting out of that one. Freaking prick even busted me for my dealer tinted windows that were done before I bought the car on that one too

I think it actually saved me once though. 35 or so in a 25 I believe (not a school zone) and the cop pulled me over and after taking a peek in my window and seeing my radar detector admitted he didn't clock me and just told me to slow down. Would he have written me a ticket without it? *shrugs* dunno, but I'm inclined to believe he would have.

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
I love my Passport 8500 Saved me a few times.

Wish I could afford a V1 though.

i have a V1 and it's worth EVERY penny. saved me many times on trips to VT and ME

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: Mark
can someone recommend me a good radar detector? i didnt even know they still worked in this day and age.

Seconded. I drive on the highway a lot, and would love some piece of mind. Not that I am a speed freak, but it's dang hard to keep it at 65MPH.

 

[m2kewl]

get either the Valentine1 or the Passport 8500

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: m2kewl
get either the Valentine1 or the Passport 8500

Won't that take a cool $300 bux out of my pocket?

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti

Originally posted by: m2kewl
get either the Valentine1 or the Passport 8500

Won't that take a cool $300 bux out of my pocket?

then get it off the truck...this is america, it's only illegal if you get caught

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti

Originally posted by: Mark
can someone recommend me a good radar detector? i didnt even know they still worked in this day and age.

Seconded. I drive on the highway a lot, and would love some piece of mind. Not that I am a speed freak, but it's dang hard to keep it at 65MPH.

no, you cant go the speed limit. the people around you will RUN YOU DOWN if you go anywhere below about 75 on a 65 speed limit.
i have no need for a radar detector, my car probably couldnt go much higher than 80. i just keep up with the traffic around me and it doesnt worry me.

i am surprised though that so many people on AT are cool with this stuff. it seems that the upstanding moral folks around here that have never downloaded a song they dont own or would never ask for a cup of water and fill it with soda at a fast food place would be ok with buying a device that essentially allows you to get away with illegal activity that is not only dangerous for you but for others as well.

 

[Blieb]

between my bel 980 ... CB radio, and 2 eyes ...

I'm invincible!!!


However, I had an older bell a few years back ... and the speaker dried out .. so I'm crusin' along ... and all of a sudden a motorcycle cop is pulling me over, so I'm like WTF ... then I look and realize the alarm is not audible, and it's goin' off the chain ... oops :|

Also been nabbed bout 4 years ago instant on. Laser is a real biatch too ... got tagged with that this weekend, but I was goin' well within the speed limit ...

*shrug* ... Truckers are my best resource

 

[OmarGustav]

Radar is nice unless you get clocked by laser...